Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 11, 1 November 1997 — Luther Makekau One Kine Hawaiian Man [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Luther Makekau One Kine Hawaiian Man

In the late 1980s, while shooting his first documentary on the life of Sam Li'a, filmmaker Eddie Kamae interviewed a charismatic elderly Hawaiian man named Luther Makekau. In 1989, with the Li'a project completed, the 98 year-old Luther got Eddie to promise to do his story. Luther died soon after, but not before Eddie had successfully recorded footage capturing Luther's unique personality. Luther Kahekili Makekau was bom during the reign of King Kalākaua and lived his entire life steeped in the traditions of his ancestors. Named after the father of Kamehameha the Great, Luther, like his grand nieee, famed hula dancer 'Iolani Luahine, had mana. In a century that did its best to suppress and destroy °M|H| Hawaiian language aiul cultural traditions, - . Luther, the handsome "warrior cowboy," defiantly retained and practiced the ways of old. By interviewing Luther's family and friends, Eddie Kamae has kept his promise to his friend, and the result is a brilliantly amusing tribute to the life of a one-of-a-kind Hawaiian man. - Dwight Damon

Eddie Kamae in person, includes music and testimony || McCoy Pavillion, 11/9, 7:00 p.m. Keauhou Beach Hotel (Big M lsland), 11/14, 6:30 p.m. JS Hawai'i Naniloa Hotel (Big lsland), ^

11/15, 6:30 p.m. Ritz-Carlton. Kapalua (Maui), 11/16, 6:30 p.m. McCoy Studio Theatre at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, 11/17, 6:30 p.m. Moloka'i Public Library, 11/18, 6:00 p.m. Kaua'i Community College, 11/19, 6:30 p.m.

PHOTOS COURTESY: HAWAI'I INTERNATIONAL EILM FESTIVAL