Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 1, 1 January 1990 — Niihau traditions are focus of book [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Niihau traditions are focus of book

"Niihau, The Traditions of an Hawaiian Island" The history, traditions and legends of the littleknown island of Ni'ihau are gathered in "Niihau, The Traditions of an Hawaiian Island." Just published by Mutual Publishing the book is available at the Kaua'i and Bishop museums. Co-authers Reriotera'i Tava and Moses K. Keale Sr. labored for years over this scholarly text whieh takes the reader from the geological" formation of the island, its earliest settlement by migrating voyagers from Tahiti, into the modern era. Tava and Keale have compiled a listing of more than 1,000 plaee names of Ni'ihau — many with their own stories — the names of its winds and channels, and stories of ancient Hawaiian religious, medicinal and agricultural practices on Ni'ihau. Tava says, "Preserving the Hawaiian culture, tradition and legends is so important. Even the smallest item of information is important in helping_ to fill some of the void in Hawaiian history." While she anticipates criticism of the book from some in the Hawaiian scholastic community, she says: "It is a scholarly work that will enlighten some and upset others. But neverless it is already being heralded as the definitive textbook on Ni'ihau. "The information in the book is fragmented, just as most accounts from original sources are. It

seems to be traditional that there are several versions of the same genealogies, legends and history . But it must be remembered that these stories have been passed from generation to generation orally, without the benefit of the libraries, archives and the documented information as seen by western eyes." The main informant for the book and its chants, songs, tales of everyday life and history, was Tutu Keola Kauileilehua Keamoai of Ni'ihau, considered the last bridge to knowledge of old Ni'ihau.

Keamoai died in June, 1989. He was constantly sought after by Hawaiian studies scholars for his knowledge. Co-author Keale, a native of Ni'ihau, was interviewer and translator for the book. About the authors Reriotera'i Tava is of Tahitian, Chinese and German ancestry. She is a nurse, professional entertainer, teacher, author and researcher. Adopted by Methodist missionaries, Tava was schooled on the mainland. By 1950 she had eome to recognize the need to revitalize her Polynesian roots. While in Hawai'i, entertaining at Queen's Surf, she attended lectures by Kenneth Emory, Bishop Museum anthropologist, and studied under Maile Asing Semitikol of Ha'ena, Kaua'i. Aunty Aliee Namakelua and Raymond Kane tutored Tava in slack key guitar whieh she then taught at Kamehameha Schools and St. Louis High School. She is a board-member of the Hawaiian Music Foundation and is affiliated with the Honolulu Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Tava is an accomplished Pacific artist. Her work has been exhibited at the Kaua'i Museum and the Honolulu Academy of Art. Her interest in Polynesian people has matured into a professional educational commitment. The book "Niihau, The Traditions of an Hawaiian Island" is the result of her many years of research. continued page 22

Tava

Keale

Ni'ihau from page 3 Moses K. Keale Sr. is a native of Pu'uwai, Ni'ihau. He is fluent in the Hawaiian language, his' "first tongue." Keale is a language instructor, translator, ehaplain, and co-founder of the annual Hawaiian Language Day, "La 'Ho'oulu 'Olelo Hawai'i." He attended school on Kaua'i and later entered Officer Candidate School on O'ahu where he held the rank of lieutenant. After working for the Hawai'i Department of Social Services he was elected a trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a Native Hawaiian organization. Keale has held the position of trustee for the past nine years and has served as both chairman and vice-chairman of the board of trustees. His current involvement with Native Hawaiian organizations includes his work as consultant to the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Institute and as ehaplain to the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Keale holds the rank of ali'i in the Royal Order of Kamehameha. This story could nof run in December due to laek of space.