Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 3, 1 March 1988 — Makaku [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Makaku

By Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo 'Ehu Jensen

Oh art, what sins are committed in your name! You well know what I think about our precious native arts and crafts. I have tried, over the years, to present both in the most positive and creative light . . . a task, I might say, that is harder than it seems. I have always attempted to display our arts as a refined extension of our elevated culture and heritage. Those who know me have learned that the media or establishment's depiction of the "native on the mat" is an abhorrence that I rarely tolerate with understanding or kindness. Our people, as kanaka maoli, have been in continuous existence for well over 10,000 years and, in that time we have developed mental and physical capabilities that, at times far surpass those of the "fairer" race. Unfortunately, our talents have gone unrecognized or at best, patronized ad nauseum. I become angry, but more than this, I become hurt — hurt for the thousands who preceded us and thousands who will succeed us on this plane of tears. At first the "discovery", then the acknowledgment of native talent, then the exploitation under the guise of love, sharing and "doing something for" does something to me that is very hard to explain. Our talents at creating arts, whether they be of the high or low art are special . . . our performing talents are a marvel, in that our people have the capability to sing, dance and deliver prose in a style that is both professional and extremely advanced in expanded tonal qualities, immeasurable body grace and uninhibited communication. And yet, we are still a curiosity, to be dealt with as amateurs. When will it all end? When will professional entities eome to these islands and seek to expose us as we truly are? I am tired of the eliehe, the misunderstandings, the misinterpretations by those who have the financial ability and laek the knowledge of what our culture is all about. I feel less compassion for those of our blood who know even less and encourage the hurtful image to be our burdensome eloak, distorting our spiritual and physical qualities beyond recognition. What has recently encouraged this outpouring of displeasure? The Dolly Parton "special" of a few weeks ago. Our crafts people were patronized and our entertainers were herded about like cattle. My heart cries out for Hawai'i for she indeed is beautiful beyond words— my heart cries out for our people for they are kindness personified — my heart cries out for our art for it is continuously misunderstood and relegated to the least of our priorities. Not only did we have to be subjected to count-

less references to how offensive our poi tastes, and how wonderful our people are and how beautiful our islands are but we had to bear witness to "the star" take upon herself the personification of our Akua Kumupa'a Pele. Does anyone else see the objection to all of this or am I alone? Yes, the show was lovely, yes, the presentation was attractive, yes, the chosen talent performed well . . . and yes, we were again a clever decoration for someone else's benefit.

Moans could be heard throughout the island ehain. Promises were made and not kept . . . suggestions were made and not heeded . . . kokua was offered and not accepted and gifts were given and not acknowledged. Someday, those who possess the "spirit" of those who eame before will be in a financial position to depict our people, our islands, our music and especially our art as it should be depicted. I guess that's the only way. Auwe to those who should have known better. The laek of native education embarrasses us all. Beneath the flowers, fanfare and glitz is mediocrity and an attempt at presenting us as we are not. Lawa!! Mai Ka Po Mai 'Oia 'I'O . . . Truth is before time.

Lawai'a Nui Ku'ulakai was done by Rocky Jensen for the collection of McDonald's Restaurant in Wailuku, Maui.