The Lunalilo Home Benefit Luau – 31 Jan. 2009

Hope you were one of the lucky ones who made it to the Lunalilo Home benefit luau this Saturday—kalua pig, laulau and squid luau! Plus raw crab and more, plus Holunape and Ku’uipo Kumukahi. This luau sells out every year so plan ahead for the last Saturday in January next year. It’s a celebration of King William Charles Lunalilo’s birthday. Lunalilo Trust trustee, Harvey McInerny told us about the history of this Ali’I trust which once sported 400 thousand acres of land, and is now down to 5 acres in Hawai’I Kai. Still, support is strong for the trust’s mission of providing care for elderly Hawaiians, and now, other members of the community. [Read more]

Interview with Dr. Lynette Cruz – 24 Jan. 2009

Another great Saturday to be together, still feeling the glow from DC. Vickie was still up there partying so we hustled up some great music for a party of our own with a soulful sister, educator and activist, Dr.Lynette Cruz. What is an activist in Hawai’i today? Lynette says Kumu John Ka’imikaua taught that it is someone who consults their gut feeling for what is right and acts upon it. Lynette says after years in the struggle, Hawaiian sovereignty is not an isolated issue, but is part of a whole social fabric of justice regarding homelessness, healthcare, incarceration, education, every part of our community lives. Our solution to every issue, according to Lynette, should not only be rational, fair, and legal, it must meet the criteria of feeling right, or pono. [Read more]

Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning – 17 Jan. 2009

It’s always great to hear about something that’s convenient, educational, and fun. This week, we found out that Kamehameha Schools’ Distance Learning opportunities are all of that and the price is right, too! ‘Ike Hawai’I, (http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/ikehawaii/application.html, online learning for teens) and A’o Makua, (http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/adult/registration.html, online classes for adults and family) are a user friendly way to learn Hawaiian language, culture and history, according to Pilipo Arnold, who shared what the adult classes have done for him. KS Distance Learning Manager, Kelly Dukelow, even gave Na Kai ‘Ewalu listeners a special code: radio09, good for 60% off A’o Makua classes. That brings the cost to ten dollars a class! Chad Lovell, communications specialist for KS told us a new, Malama ‘Aina class begins in March.
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Na Kai Ewalu 2008 Year in Review – 10 Jan. 2009

Let’s be real, nobody is ready to face a new year on January 1, so this week we concentrated on great Hawaiian music and eased ourselves into 2009 by glancing back at ‘08. What a year! For Vickie and many of the rest of us, the election of Barack Obama was the biggest single event, but Senator Daniel Inouye now as the top ranking U.S. Senator and Senator Daniel Akaka as head of Veterans Affairs make a triple combination that definitely raises Hawai’i’s influence in Washington. The Hawai’i State Legislature will open its 2009 session soon and Kaho’onei will be in the thick of it, working on Hawaiian issues for East Maui Representative Mele Carroll. Let’s all drop by her office and say hi! Kaho’onei mentioned the work of the Hawai’i Pono’i Coalition in this program, you can find out more about them at www.huiohawaiiponoi.org.
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Manu Ka’iama, Director of the Kaulele program – 3 Jan. 2009

We start the New Year with high hopes for moral, intellectual and spiritual growth—and the energy to put these to good use for our community! Manu Ka’iama, Director of the Kaulele program, has certainly been using her skills that way for years. A CPA and instructor at the UH Schidler College of Business, Manu specializes in putting knowledge to work. The Kaulele Program offer grants for students, funds for travel enrichment for teachers, help transitioning from school to work, and support for traditional Hawaiian ways of learning. Manu says these are targeted ways to raise the standing of Hawaiians in business and academia. Check http://www.inpeace-hawaii.org/programs/kaulele for more, and get some help realizing your New Year’s resolutions. Of course, throughout, we need the great Hawaiian music for motivation!
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Interview with Clayton Hee – 27 Dec. 2008

 
Everyone was still feeling the glow of Christmas for this Saturday together and we were able to catch one of the State Senate’s most outspoken members in a relaxed frame of mind. Senator Clayton Hee has represented the 23d district (Kailua to Kane’ohe) since 1999 (this timearound) and will chair the Senate Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee in the 2009 legislative session. Around our kitchen table, he presented thoughtful responses and historical background to the Kahana valley eviction situation, the Moloka’i water impasse, and further development at Mauna Kea. Never one to pull punches, Senator Hee said he believes the Lingle Administration’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme court will be upheld, jeopardizing not only ceded lands but other Hawaiian entitlements. Milton Lau, of Kahoku Productions, brought in his latest Hawaiian Slack Key Kings CD featuring an inspiring new generation of kiho’alu artists. Again, our mahalo to Senator Hee and to Milton Lau for a great morning of music and stimulating conversation.
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Kamehameha Publishing – 20 Dec. 2008

 
On this Saturday, we really felt the message of how our everyday actions build community. Maile Meyer brings that message home, after 20 years of using her MBA and knack for business to support her roots in the Hawaiian community. Love of culture spurred the creation of Native Books, then Native Books and Beautiful Things and now Na Mea Hawai’I in Ward Warehouse, a gathering place for Native Hawaiian products and ideas. Maile made the connection between every dollar we put on the counter and where it goes—are we supporting our neighbors and friends, especially the small businesses we need for our future in these Islands? We vote with our dollars, yes, every day but Maile points out, that’s only money! In the tough times ahead, we can support each other in many creative ways, by bartering, perhaps, exchanging our skills, or by a simple word or deed–and that was what our ‘olelo no’eau was about this week. Great thoughts for the holidays! And great music too from Keli’I Tau’a and David Kauahikaua who was our guest artist with musical tributes to the beauties of Maui in their new cd, Cloud Warriors. Find out more at www.tiki-records.com. And check www.nativebookshawaii.com for the latest activities and goodies at Na Mea Hawai’i.
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The Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation – 13 Dec. 2008

 
We felt like we were rockin’ the house with this Saturday’s program. Kalei Stern started us off explaining how Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation was created to supplement Kamehameha Schools’ mission by providing opportunities primarily for Native Hawaiians not directly served by the Schools. Kalei has found that one on one conversations and building relationships is the best way, and in fact a very Hawaiian way, to secure funding—much of which is coming from the Kamehameha Schools ohana. If you need money for education, find out if you might be eligible for a grant,check www.pauahi.org. Applications will be available February 15th. Lurline Wailana McGregor then joined us at the table with her new novel, Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me. It explores a young professional’s journey back into the Hawaiian culture of her childhood, describing challenges and discoveries that many Hawaiians and others are experiencing today. Her novel is available at bookstores around Hawai’i. Keola Akana joined us also with great ideas for Christmas gifts from Kamehameha Publishing. The Kukulu Hawaiian playing cards look like a winner, and online purchases are 30% off right now at www.kamehamehapublishing.org. Mahalo to Lihau Hannes and Kellen Paik, who perform as Kupaoa. Hope you enjoy this sample from their brand new cd, Pili O Ke Ao. Check them out at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=37.
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