The gang “talks story” about Local celebrations – 28 Mar. 2009

This was a perfectly relaxing Saturday morning, taking the time to wala’au together. Kaho’onei explained kukakuka means to discuss while wala’au means to talk story, and he recommends we all take 5 minutes a day to vala’au with someone. That sounds like a simple way to increase the aloha in our lives. Kaho’onei laid out the plan for today’s Kuhio Celebrations—a rare 4pm parade and moonlight concert at Kapi’olani Bandstand headlined by Natalie A’i Kamau’u with her mother’s fabulous halau, Halau Hula ‘Olana. Kaho’onei outlined current legislative initiatives relating to Native Hawaiians and explained the process and meaning of a t-shirt so many of us see around town these days. The black Kau Inoa t-shirts signify placing one’s name in an international registry of Hawaiians who will become the constituency for decisions about a future Hawaiian political entity. [Read more]

Manu Boyd from the Royal Hawaiian Center – 21 Mar. 2009

Great weather for a change and some tasty music to get the weekend going!

This was a fun morning with Manu Boyd. Many in the community know him as the leader of the music group Ho’okena with their solid male harmonies, others know him as the kumu for Halau o ke A’ali’I ku Makani, others have known him though his long work with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or as a commentator for Merry Monarch and Kamehameha Schools Song Contest broadcasts on television. [Read more]

The Scholarships of the Ke Ali`I Pauahi Foundation and a discussion on the upcoming Kamehameha Schools Song Contest – 14 Mar. 2009

A whipping wind and lots of rain only made it cozier around the old kitchen table with two friends from Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation, Executive Director Kalei Stern and Scholarship Administrator Bran-Dee Torres. Applications are available now for over a hundred scholarships to fund higher education and vocational training and candidates need not be Kamehameha graduates to apply. Bran-Dee told us there’s only one application form for all scholarships, though other materials may be required. Check www.pauahi.org or call 534-3966 for everything you need, and remember, the deadline is April First!
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Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts President Ku’uipo Kumukahi – 7 Mar. 2009

This is one Saturday where we really would have loved to have all of you with us around the old kitchen table for the laughing and straight talking that went on behind the scenes. Our guest, musician and Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts President Ku’uipo Kumukahi, told stories from her childhood on the Hamakua coast of Hawai’i island and spoke from the heart about her experiences as a musician and a veteran in the Hawaiian music scene. [Read more]

Na `Oiwi TV – 28 Feb. 2009

We kept the music flowing on a cool and windy Saturday with Na’alehu Anthony, the CEO of the brand new ‘Oiwi TV channel. A filmmaker and producer, Na’alehu unveiled the variety of programs that will be available on demand for Oceanic Time Warner’s digital cable subscribers on channel 326. Keiki programming, a recipe series, a documentary on sustainability, and other programs will be offered along along with films and videos about Hawaiian culture, politics, history, and more. [Read more]