Interview with Puakea Nogelmeier – 6 Dec. 2008

 
We were thinking of you all getting breakfast together and hitting the road for your busy weekend while we were sharing a pretty relaxed morning with teacher, translator, and composer, Puakea Nogelmeier. His is the story of many people from all over the world who come to Hawai’i, make it their home, and make a contribution to this community. In Puakea’s case, it was through a love of the Hawaiian language which led him to teach at UH Manoa, work on a number of books and become director of the Awaiaulu Hawaiian Literature Project. Check out their activities at www.awaiaulu.org and don’t forget about Puakea’s most popular book, He Mele Aloha, a classic Hawaiian songbook with English translations that benefits the Lunalilo Home for Native Hawaiian elderly. It’s always fun to chat with Robert Cazimero and we grabbed him for a few moments between performing at Chai’s and rehearsals for “The Sounds of Christmas”, a holiday spectacular at the Hawai’i Theatre December 12, 13 and 14. The show features the Brothers Cazimero and two of Hawai’i’s best keiki hula dancers, among many others. Call the Hawai’i Theatre or check hawaiitheatre.com for more on those concerts. With Burton White producing and Robert himself directing, this should be a winner!

‘Olelo No’eau are wise sayings and proverbs handed down from generation to generation by our kupuna (ancestors).
“Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike” – The learning is in the doing.
It is through our work and the doing of things that we learn best. ‘Ike, knowledge, comes in different ways and our kupuna, elders, often taught us by sitting down with us, sharing, talking story and putting our hands to the task. There is much to be learned through reading and studying, but so much more learned by the experience.

 

 Interview with Puakea Nogelmeier - 6 Dec. 2008 [107:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download