Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 9, 1 November 1984 — Festival, Genealogical Meeting Get OHA Grants [ARTICLE]

Festival, Genealogical Meeting Get OHA Grants

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board ofTrustees at its Oct. 19 meeting on Maui approved a grant of S 12,000 to send 10 participants to the Festival of Pacific Arts in Noumea, New Caledonia, Dec. 8-22. Also approved was an appropriation of $382 for a resource person knowledgeable in the field of genealogy of lands to represent OH A at the Kona Genealogieal Society Convention Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at Keauhou, Kona.

Kona Attorney Kaipo Kincaid, a former staff member of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation's land trust division, will be the OH A speaker. She will describe the various steps needed on how to conduct research appropriate to determining family land interests. Grantees who will participate in the Festival of Pacific Arts are Ulalia Berman, Ellen Castillos, Moses Crabbe, Frank Hewett, Lahela Kaaihue, Frank Kahala, Mae Klein, Momi Kepelino, John Lake and George Maile. All are native Hawaiians(50 percent or more.)

The festival is held every four years and serves to bring together peoples from the various Pacific island cultures of Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia to participate in a two-week pageant of native performing arts such as dance, songs and theatre. Also involved are displays and demonstrations of traditional and contemporary crafts. The major purpose of the festival is to preserve, protect and enhanee Pacific cultural heritage. Hawaii became an official member of the Council of Pacific Arts in 1982 when Gov. George R. Ariyoshi designated the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as the agency responsible for planning and eoordinating Hawaii's participation in the eouneil and festival.

Hawaii is a cultural part of Polynesia whieh, in addition to Melanesia and Micronesia, is part of the Pacific Island community. lts participation in this cultural event is a major opportunity for beneficiaries to perpetuate their culture through professional performances and exhibitions. The Kona genealogical convention, whieh was

carried in the October issue of Ka Wai Ola O OHA, promises to be an interesting, informative and fun experience with a full schedule of workshops and panel discussions.

Among other speakers are Albert Like, genealogist from the Kalihi stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Edith McKinzie, professional genealogist; David Harrington, general managerofthe Keauhou Beach Hotel and a computer expert; Abraham Piianaia, director of the Hawaiian Studies program, University of Hawaii; Dr. Kawena Johnson, UH and author of "Kumulipo"; Puanani Kini, president of the Hawaii Chinese Society Center; David Mauna Roy, teacher; Sam Kaai and Herb Kane.