Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 7, 1 July 1987 — Makaku [ARTICLE]

Makaku

By Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo 'Ehu Jensen

Where Were You?

Having just completed Phase I of our "We Are One People" exhibit, I am filled with mixed emotions eoncerning the future of our native arts in Hawai'i. The exhibit was a great success. The reception was a moving experience with a Hawaiian prayer by Lokomaika'i Snakenberg, oki ritual by Kahu Edward Kealanahele, choral and dance entertainment by Hui Mele Nani (Hawaiian Telephone) and hula kahiko by Ka Pa Hula Hawai'i, not to mention the contributions by our own artists . . . Kahekiliuila Lagunero who explained the true meaning of Hale Naua and our wonderful support crew, artists, chief cooks and bottle washers: Maiki, Ethel Kahalewai, Moana Espinda, Leialoha Kanahele Iversen and Noreen Pine . . . they worked above and beyond the eall of duty.

Attendance was consistent and sales were recordbreaking. We also had the privilege of hosting several of our Maori cousins . . . Eric Tamepo, executive officer for the Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts, artists Darcy Nicholas and Robyn Kahukiwa who was aeeompanied by her gracious husband, Dooley. The design of the exhibit was exquisite, a compliment to all Polynesian symbolism and the publicity was extraordinary, a eompliment to our coordinator, Lueia Tarallo-Jensen. Why the mixed emotions? They eome about through a creeping awareness that our ruling contingents care very little about the arts . . . the fine arts, that is. Where were they? Where was our Governor or his representative? Our leaders from Alu Like or the Office of Hawaiian Affairs? Our entertainers? Media people? Where were our kupuna from the many Hawaiian organizations? Just a handful of them attended our three-week eommemoration for the Year of the Hawaiian. ls there every moment so inundated with responsibilities that they ean so cavalierly dismiss our native artistic creativity? Auwe! Granted there were many events involving our culture going on at the same time. However, courtesy and a vaporous culture necessitates the physical, financial and moral support from all of our Hawaiian leaders. The Hokule'a stole the glory that should have been shared by all creative native Hawaiians . . . we had 27 in our exhibit. The Hokule'a is a major cultural occurrence; however, it was a major triumph over 2,000 years ago . . . please remember it was an artist who designed her. A Hawaiian male was quoted in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin relative to the Hokule'a festivities that "every Hawaiian worth his salt should have been here (at the festivities)." I will go further to say: "Every Hawaiian worth their salt should be aware of native Hawaiian art, its artists and its functions." It has been a 15-year batt!e for this writer with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Legislature, Alu Like and OHA for the recognition and support we rightfully deserve as the visual chronicleers of our ancient and modern history, culture and traditions. Our Maori brothers and sisters have governmentally funded programs that support their traditional and eontemporary art, schools, including Rotorua and exhibitions that travel throughout the world. We don't! Why not? lt isn't for laek of trying. If the Polynesian Voyaging Society and other similar entities are funded directly through the Legislature, then perhaps we must take a hard look at creating the right dialogue in coordinating a mueh needed Native Hawaiian Arts Council. Not oniy must we fight the stigma of being second class citizens in our own land, but we must also suffer the indignity of being recognized as second class artists. There is mueh more to be said about this matter but because of space constraints, let me note that as a declining Hawaiian Nation, we should support eaeh other in all endeavors, spiritual eommunieahon of Aloha being the bond that will enable all to prosper and grow. Shown here are two of the works whieh appeared at the exhibit.