Native Hawaiians have a rich oral tradition that spans over a thousand years. Our stories are told in many forms: songs, chants, hula, legends, ʻōlelo noʻeau, and word play. Modern Hawaiians continue our ancient tradition by weaving their stories into beautiful spoken poetry. Chris Oliveira is
Welcome to the next post in a series of interviews with Native Hawaiian and local Hawaiʻi writers! I am delighted to feature my friend, the talented Native Hawaiian author Tammy Paikai. Her five picture books cover subjects that teach children important life lessons but do so in a fun and approachable way that kids — and their grown-ups — love.
Native Hawaiians look to our kūpuna — our elders — to help us find our pathways through life. They guide us by their spiritual wisdom through personal, familial or community difficulties. Kahaulahilahi Vegas is a fluent Hawaiian language speaker pursuing her PhD degree in Public Health. To honor her beloved kūpuna, Lahi Vegas, composed her mele aloha, Ka Maile. She says she will always be inspired by her kūpuna: He aloha pau ʻole — a love without end.
Welcome to the first in a new series of interviews with Native Hawaiian and local Hawaiʻi writers! I am very pleased to introduce award-winning author Ilima Loomis. She has an extensive background in writing for children but in journalism as well as content marketing, science and technology. Her award-winning books include ʻOhana is Family and Eclipse Chaser.
In her beautiful personal history first published at Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa in 2014, Stephanie Namahoe Launiu describes writing about her grandmother, Violet Wong Hoe, as a spiritual experience.
“Grandma was born only two years after annexation at a time when Hawaiians weren’t free to speak their native language or openly practice their culture. She was so very Hawaiian to the core.”
Monday August 8 is National Spam Musubi Day, and that means a free musubi from L&L Hawaiʻi. This quirky it-should-be-a-holiday is just another example of what makes Hawaiʻi, well, Hawaiʻi. And because I love both spam and history, letʻs have a little of both in todayʻs blog post.
During my years as a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi — Leeward Community College, one of my contributions to my Native Hawaiian community was founding and publishing Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa Native Hawaiian Writing and Arts. Everyone, regardless of ethnicity, was invited
Native Hawaiians everywhere celebrate Sovereignty Restoration Day on July 31. Lā Hoʻi Hoʻi ʻEa is our national holiday when we remember when our kingdom was returned to the rightful native government after being seized by the UK in 1843.
I love children’s author Tara Lazar’s blog. Many years ago she posted “500+ Things That Kids Like.” From 3D movies to zoos, the wonderful list is a reminder of the things that make childhood fun. Let’s add to this list. To start, here are 12 things Native Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi kids* like. Paipo boarding, the perfect short board for body surfing
Kamalani Hurley
[photo: Rokki Midro]
Kamalani Hurley
[photo: Rokki Midro]
