“Kia kotahi te kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati.” – Kiingi Tuheitia
(A single reed is easily broken, but bound together, it cannot be broken.)
At the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) in June 2024, I was privileged to meet the delegation from Aotearoa. I later received an invitation to attend the annual Koroneihana (coronation) of the honorable Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
The week-long celebration, held in August at the Turangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, included traditional Māori ceremonies, cultural performances, sporting events, speeches, and discussions on pressing issues. Being part of the Koroneihana was profoundly moving, and an experience I will never forget. It deepened my admiration for the Māori people’s unwavering connection to their traditions and culture.
Shortly after returning home, I received the heartbreaking news of Kiingi Tuheitia’s passing. Having shared moments in his family home just days before, the news hit hard. The loss felt personal, and it reverberated not only through me, but around the world.
The gracious Māori Princess Nga wai hono i te po, whom I first met at FestPAC, is the youngest child of Kiingi Tuheitia. She was named Te Arikinui Kuini (queen), succeeding her father. She is the second woman and, at just 27 years old, the second youngest monarch in the 160-year history of the Māori royal movement. It is an honor and privilege to have spent time with both Kiingi Tuheitia and Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
The Koroneihana, followed by Kiingi Tuheitia’s funeral and Kuini’s coronation ceremony, allowed the world a glimpse into the sacred traditions of the Māori people.
As a musician, I was moved by how the Māori express their culture through song. During formal performances, the strength and unity of their collective voices was powerful and mesmerizing.
In casual gatherings and our spontaneous kanikapila sessions, there was a spirit and zest that resonated deeply. When everyone joined in, the atmosphere transformed into something sacred, as laughter and harmonies filled the air. The strength of their voices reflected both unity and pride in who they are.
As in our own culture, song is a way to bridge the past and present, and the Māori have mastered this art with authenticity and passion. Their songs are not mere entertainment; they are vessels of history, carrying stories, values, and teachings down through generations. Their voices are a reminder that Māori culture is alive, powerful, and worth protecting.
Just as the Māori have fiercely held onto their identity, we can continue to nurture and uplift our Kānaka Maoli culture and traditions. Their journey inspires me to make decisions grounded in culture, celebrate our shared history through music, and encourage our community to unite in voice and purpose.
In these modern times, it’s comforting to know that our cultural practices can still thrive, just as they have for our brothers and sisters in Aotearoa. Their strength lies in their ability to honor the past while embracing the future – a lesson I will carry with me as we continue to protect and cherish the rich cultural legacy of Hawaiʻi.
To view moments from Koroneihana, the tangihanga of Kiingi Tuheitia, and the Te Whakawahinga ceremony for Kuini Nga wai hono i te po: Instagram: @Kiingitanga or Facebook: Kiingitanga
 in June 2024, I was privileged to meet the delegation from Aotearoa.){kind=link}