Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2006 — Embracing Change [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Embracing Change

By Sterling Kini Weng Publicatiūns Editor About three years before Christian missionaries arrived in Hawai'i, an oracle named Kapihe foretold of a dramatic change in Hawaiian society, one that would result in the fall of the chiefs and the ancient kapu system, and mark the ascent of the eonunon people. Bishop Museum's new Hawaiian Hall Vestibule Gallery exhibit - called "Ho'ohuli, To Turn Around" - explores Kapihe's inspiring chant, E Iho ana 'o Luna, whieh speaks of change being a catalyst for strength and unity. Noelle Kahanu, a Bishop

Museum specialist and one of the organizers of the project, said that by examining the chant, the Ho'ohuli exhibit "gives Hawaiians a ehanee to talk about social justice and sovereignty issues in such a way that other exhibits don't really allow." The centerpiece of the exhibit is a mural of the E Iho ana 'o Luna chant painted onto 40 mahogany boards. The mural was created by 24 students from Kamehameha Schools, and Hakipu'u, Hālau Lōkahi and Kamakau charter schools. The exhibit also features eontemporary artwork created by 14 other Native Hawaiian artists, most of whom are relatively unknown. Several of the museum's his-

torical pieces associated with the season of Lono have been incorporated into the exhibit, to act as a cultural foundation for the project and to provide a connection between the contemporary artists and their kūpuna, Kahanu said.

"Ho'ohuli, To Turn Around" Through March 12 Bishop Museum Hawaiian Hall Vestibule Gallery Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission fees apply 4

NĀ HANANA • EVENTS

One of 40 decorated mahogany boards that comprise o mural creoted by high school students, whieh is feotured in the "Ho'ohuli, To Turn Around" exhibit. f/iofo:courtesy of Bishop Museum.