Photo Above: Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani
A New Queen is Crowned
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs congratulates Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani who was crowned this year’s Miss Aloha Hula. Along with winning the coveted title, Hughes-Kaluhiokalani also won OHA’s Hawaiian Language Award which was presented by OHA Board Vice Chair Brendon Kalei‘āina Lee. Hughes-Kaluhiokalani represents Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua under the direction of Kumu Lono Padilla and Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV. – Photo: Hawaii News Now
Waimea All Schools Exhibit
Kahilu Exhibits presents the Waimea All Schools Exhibit in partnership with the Waimea Education Hui. Students from grades pre-K to 12 were asked to respond to: He Wai E ola, E ola Nō A– Water is Sacred, Water is Our Responsibility, Water is Life. Participants are Waimea students, homeschooled as well. They have the freedom to work with any media. The intention of this event is to bring members of all schools in Waimea together.
The opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., and the exhibition will run from May 2 to June 9, 2019. Galleries are free and open to the public and are open Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and during all Kahilu Theatre performances. For more information head to kahilutheatre.org/exhibits.
Honoring Gordon ‘Umialīloalāhānauokalā Kaua Kai
Duke’s Waikiki will honor well-known cultural practitioner Gordon ‘Umialīloalāhānauokalā Kaua Kai as the recipient of the 2019 Ho‘okahiko Award on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. The Ho‘okahiko Award recognizes commitment to the study and reproduction of traditional mea kaua (weapons), mākau (fishing implements) and other artifacts used daily in Native Hawaiian culture. Kaua Kai has worked to share his knowledge and incorporate Native Hawaiian arts and practices at events such as Taputapuatea Festival, the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, the Hōkūle‘a Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and many others.
“We are pleased to honor ‘Umi Kai as his dedication to preserving the sacred art of handcrafting mea kaua and other traditional implements has provided a sense of cultural pride for Native Hawaiians locally and abroad,” said General Manager Keli‘i Gouveia, of Duke’s Waikiki. “‘Umi’s deep-rooted belief in the importance of passing on the knowledge and cultural practices of Hawaii’s ancestors truly represents the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku and his commitment to further perpetuating the Hawaiian culture for generations to come.”
In addition to his work as a master artisan and cultural practitioner, Kaua Kai currently serves as the President of Aha Kāne, ‘Ōlohe Lua of Ka Kui A Lua and Kūpuna of Hale Mua o Kuali‘i. He was recently honored as an award recipient for the 2019 Nā Mamo Makamae o ka Po‘e Hawai‘i and 2018 Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i Living Treasure awards.
American Savings Bank Campus to feature custom artwork courtesy of Manaola Yap and Sig Zane
Internationally respected native Hawaiian designers, Manaola Yap and Sig Zane will feature custom art to be featured in American Savings Banks (ASB) new campus in Honolulu’s Chinatown district. The artwork will visually tell the story of ASB and will bring together approximately 660 teammates in what promises to be one of Hawai‘i’s most innovative and collaborative workspaces. “We are excited to work with Manaola and Sig Zane, two talented designers who will artfully capture this period of growth for our company while paying respects to the deep history and cultural roots of the ‘A‘ala neighborhood,” said Rich Wacker, President and CEO.
“It’s a privilege to work with American Savings Bank to create a design that serves as an extension of who they are and what they represent – a nurturing ‘ohana that brings aloha to the community,” said Manaola Yap. Manaola is known for his signature use of ‘ohe kāpala, an ancestral Hawaiian stamping method that draws inspiration from repetitive patterns found in nature.
“We want to empower the ASB ‘ohana, creating personal connections between the design, their work and the community,” said Sig Zane. The Sig Zane design team heavily involves ASB teammates into the creative process, incorporating their stories and relationships into the story of the art. The design will incorporate several techniques: ‘ohe kāpala, kinolau (the drawing of natural elements) and watermark.
The final designs by both artists will be thoughtfully incorporated throughout the building. At completion, the ASB Campus will feature a brand new branch with an ATM on the ground floor, in addition to meeting rooms, a community multi-purpose room and a fitness center for teammates. Teammates will have access to a Training Center and Teammate Amenities on the seventh floor, featuring a 4,500 square-foot lunchroom with the ability to enjoy meals and work on one of two expansive outdoor lanai, an arcade, relaxation rooms and more. The building is slated to complete construction in 2018 and open in 2019.
