Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 7, 1 July 2005 — Living treasure [ARTICLE]

Living treasure

In June, master chanter Ka'upena Wong was one of a dozen cultural folk artists named as "living trea,3w

sures" and bestowed with the prestigious National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Wong, 75, trained in oli (chant), hula and other Hawaiian cultural practices under renowned Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pūku'i, and is recognized as a master of classical Hawaiian chant. Also a composer, performer and recording artist, Wong was among five recipients of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award. Created in 1982, the National Heritage Award honors folk artists for their contributions to the nation's cultural fabric. Since its inception, more than 200 artists have received the award. Past recipients from Hawai'i have included kumu hula Emily Kau'i Zuttermeister, Nālani Kanaka'ole and Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele; Hawaiian quilter Meali'i Kalama; slack-key guitar master Raymond Kāne; paniolo storyteller and singer Clyde Halema'uma'u "Kindy" Sproat; lei maker Marie McDonald; Okinawan-American musician Seisho "Harry" Nakasone; and falsetto singers Solomon and Richard Ho'opi'i.