Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 9, 1 September 1990 — Our Readers Write [ARTICLE]

Our Readers Write

To the editor: Many are aware of the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program. I have been on the project since it began, but did not volunteer for the planning committee for fear of "conflict of interest." For three years I have worked with NHCAP to help develop a better understanding of the dying arts. Now the bulk of the money is to fund another eanoe project. I submitted three proposals to perpetuate carving of our ki'i, a native artform on the brink of extinction. My apprenticeship project was rejected. The selection committee could only grant money to projects being researched and not to individual master artists. However, grantees are all masters— and mueh of their work has already been researched as was mine. I don't understand! The original impetus was to revive those ancient skills that are on the verge of extinction with programs developed by native experts. 1 am disappointed that the committee did not find sculpting a priority. 1 am a staunch advocate for the perpetuation of our native artforms and our native artists, both contemporary and traditional. We have hundreds of hula halau, Hawaiian language schools, craft centers and eanoe clubs. We have three double hull voyaging canoes. We have thousands of recorded oral transcripts of our kupuna. But where are our carving halau? Auwe! Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo'Ehu Jensen Director. Hale Naua III Society of Hawaiian Arts

To the editor: We are pleased to take this opportunity to respond to Rocky Jensen's letter and to inform the public about our program. The Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program, Bishop Museum, recently awarded 13 contracts totalling $190.000, in its initial effort to achieve its mission in "...making a meaningful and continuing contribution to the well-being of Native Hawaiian people through the perpetuation of traditional Native Hawaiian culture and values." Details of the funding opportunities and applieahon requirements were published in "Request for Proposal FY'89" booklet located in some Hawaiian agencies throughout the State, and public announcement was placed in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, The Honolulu Advertiser and Ka Wai Ola O OHA. The subjects emphasized for this first funding opportunity were developed with assistance from many knowledgable Hawaiians and others in the eommunity. Obviously all the Hawaiian traditions that have been lost or at risk of being lost could not be addressed at this time. Rocky Jensen's proposal was not funded not because the subject is not worthy or of value, but because it did not meet all the requirements. In fiscal year 1989 a total of $271,997 was spent for program projects. Only 30 percent of that amount was used in the Explorations Project (voyaging) while 70 percent went toward other Hawaiian traditions and those supports that aid in the research and the recovery of knowledge. In FY 1990, the bulk of the exploration funds are from

other sources. Over the next three years, NHCAP's program plans will research, perpetuate and disseminate the information and knowledge of our traditions and history. Sincerely, Lynette Paglinawan Executive Director, Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program