Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 9, 1 September 2004 — Kupaʻāina poised for the rise ofthe yseventh generation' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kupaʻāina poised for the rise ofthe yseventh generation'

By Manu Boyd What do you get when you bring togeth er a landscaper, an attorney, a life guard, a bank officer, a refuse

truck driver, a teacher/actor/chanter . and a Hawaiian studies professor? An unlikely grouping of "simple island people" with full-time careers who also share a eommon commitment to making their own unique brand of island music. Meaning "those familiar with the land," Kupa'āina is a diverse, multigenerational ensemble with a passion for their homeland, its

history, justice, retribution and the future. Their debut, "Simple hlanā People " focuses on the plight of Hawaiians over the past 225-plus years since Western contact, and the hope for the rise

ot the seventh generation." According to Kupa'āina, the seventh generation since the overthrow of 1893 - today's 'ōpio - is the generation . destined to perpetuft ate and revitalize B the Hawaiian eulH ture and political ■ institutions. ■ Kupa'āina hopes to inspire that generation with mes-

sages creatively woven together with dominating reggae, a touch of R&B, poignant oratory and a sprinkling of 'ōlelo Hawai'i. Neo-traditional chant stylings give distinct color to the project, almost creating a new genre or expression of oli. "I love traditional Hawaiian, but kids today don't get to that until they're a little older," said group member and co-producer Kevin Chang, who also practices entertainment and business law. "We want to make the youth inquisitive about who they are, where they live, their culture and history." Partners in the project, along with Kupa'āina, are Kototama Productions of whieh Chang is a part, and Hālau Kū Māna New Century Charter School, the Mānoa-based alternative education entity that focuses on Hawaiian culture, values, language and the environment. Chang said that Hālau Kū Māna will receive all royalties from See KUPA'ĀINA on page 14

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KUPA'ĀINA from page 12 the "Seventh Generation" cut to benefit the school. Powerful cover art features recent Pūnana Leo O Kawaiaha'o graduate Kahiau Freitas set behind a ehain link fence with "keep out" sign in the background. According to Chang, the concept was to reach Hawaiian and loeal youth on issues affecting the well-being of Hawai'i while seeking justice for past transgressions. The image speaks to oppression, but seems to offer hope for freedom and a better future. "Simple hlanā People' illustrates "hana like" (working together) and lōkahi (unity). "Self-produced, self-funded, self-determined, do-it-yourself entities" is how project promoters describe Kupa'āina, Kototama Productions and Hālau Kū Māna, three entities that share a eommon purpose: "to express great love of this plaee and its people, of its contribution to our growth and our eommon soul source through rhythm and rhyme. Music touches the souls of people across cultures." ■