Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 7, 1 July 2010 — Hawaiian cultural fest shines at Smithsonian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian cultural fest shines at Smithsonian

By Sanoe Ka'uhane On May 29-31, OHA was honored to partner with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Museum Programs to present the fourth annual E Ho'okulāia i ka Hula Native Hawaiian Cultural Festival in Washington, D.C. This year's family event invited children and adults to experience three days of handson Hawaiian cultural activities, whieh were presented by some of Hawai'i's most prestigious and talented Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, including Bill Char, Chinky and Linda Māhoe, Kupa'a Ikaika Peekieh, Dalani Tanahy, Cheryl

Roselani Pukahi and Samuel M. 'Ohukani 'ōhi'a Gon III. Activities throughout the festival included: kapa making and stamping, demonstrations whieh displayed the traditional and contemporary practice of flower lei making, hula demonstrations and workshops, Hawaiian musieal instruments, Hawaiian story reading and Native Hawaiian food demonstrations whieh showcased the diversity of both Native Hawaiian traditional, contemporary cuisine and more. This year's Celebrate Hawai'i theme provided a deeper understanding of Native Hawaiian culture to more than 20,788 visitors. Individuals and families had the opportunity to watch these artisans at work, to ask them questions about techniques or materials and to participate in

hands-on activities that transform things like lei making, hula and kapa pounding into a personal experience. "Putting ink on a bamboo stamp to print your very own Hawaiian kapa pattern or

guiding a fresh plumeria blossom onto a 12-inch lei needle yourself is a very different experience than just watching someone else do it,'" said Julie Coleson, from the OHA Washington, D.C., Bureau. "This event brought these arts to life in a unique way and provided visitors both young and old with a new perspective on what might otherwise be considered just a quaint craft project." In addition to the educational festival, the event transformed into a pā'ina for Hawai'i expatriates, including servicemen and women, congressional assistants, interns and other Hawaiians who live far from home. The showcase offers a ehanee for them to strengthen existing friendships and to renew their ties to our Pacific homeland and family traditions.

"The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is pleased to be able to partner with NMAI and sponsor events such as this," said Tim Johnson, the OHA Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief. "I offer a special thanks to Hayes Lavis and Gina Ward at NMAI for their hard work that allows us to educate the general puhlie about our living Native Hawaiian culture." For information about next year's Native Hawaiian Cultural Festival in Washington, D.C., visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the Ameriean Indian online at www. Americanlndian@si.edu or eall the Office of Museum Programs at 202-611-1100. ■ Sanoe Ka 'uhane is an intern in OHA's Washington, D.C., Bureau

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Linda and Chinky Māhoe and Kupa'a Ikaika Peekieh introduce keiki to the art of pū'ili (hamhoo rattles). - Photo: iulie Coleson