Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 2, 1 February 2016 — OHA compiling a database of cultural practitioners [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA compiling a database of cultural practitioners

ByTreenaShapiro

f you were on a quest for Hawaiian cultural knowledge, where would you turn to find practitioners? OHA is now updating its three cultural directories, whieh will comprise a national database of cultural assets and resources that will make it easier to identify those currently practicing and perpetuating different Hawaiian art forms. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs last printed its cultural directories in the 1990s and many new practitioners have since taken up traditional arts, and some of those included have now left us.

The update is good news to Hawaiian artists, many of whom have to rely on social media, Internet searches or word-of-mouth for referrals. "I teach, but I also learn. To me it would be a niee quick guide to see who's doing what if you need to learn a certain craft," says Lanee "Mahi" La Pierre, who makes 'ukeke, the only stringed instrument indigenous to Hawai'i, and hōlua sleds. "It will perpetuate the different crafts and arts and practices, whether you want to go learn, or you want to go

teach, or you want to go buy it," points out La Pierre. "I think having a directory , like that is pretty eool." As he was filling out the questionnaire to be included in the Ola Nā Iwi directory of traditional Hawaiian artists, La Pierre noticed ^

that it asks artists where they learned their skills. That J information 1 would allow prospective

students to betternarrow V down whieh teachers they would like to work

with. "If you're looking for a certain lineage, say in hula or carving, they have that information," he says. Kumu hula Joan Lindsey, who was included in the original Kū Mai ka Po'e Hula directory of hula resources, says back then there was no single source for information about all Hawai'i's hula practitioners and those that exist today often require payment for inclusion. OHA's directory offers protection for those who are trying to determine if certain teachers are established and qualified. "If they have a name, they ean eome back and eheek, and if it's listed they know that it's okay," says Lindsey. "If it's not listed, then they need to do more homework."

Lindsey says kumu hula have already found the existing directories useful by making it easy for them all to contact eaeh other. "If they have something great they want to share with the other kumu hula, they ean do that," she says. Brook Kapukuniahi Parker, a contemporary Hawaiian painter who specializes in historical art, says that eonneehon between practitioners is important. "It's always good to collaborate with other Hawaiian artists and those that love Hawaiian things. Everybody has different ways or vehicles on how they express their Hawaiianness through their art," says Parker, whose artwork accompanies this month's article on Kuamo'o Battlefield. "Basically most of the clients I have

and the art I do is pretty mueh word-of-mouth," says Parker. "There's not a lot of people doing the art that I do, portraying the history." Weaver and carver Lloyd Sing remembers the directories from the 1990s and welcomes the update. "There aren't a lot of practitioners in these kinds of arts, so it's good to have this resource for those who want to learn that art form." Sing knows firsthand how hard it ean

be to find a teacher in some of the traditional arts. His preferred style of weaving - 'ie'ie - isn'tpracticedbymany, and Sing ean only think of one

who is truly a master. While the directories will be self-reported, questions about teachers, coursework and apprenticeships could lead to what Umi Kai hopes for the updated directories: "I think a directory is needed to identify qualified Hawaiian artists, those that have established themselves through proper research and credentials to qualify them as being a quality craftsperson," says the Hawaiian weapon maker. "I think it's necessary so that we ean identify them and have current contact information." ■

Calling all cultural practitioners

ln the mid-1990s, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs created three cultural directories to raise the visibility of practitioners who perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through visual arts, weaving, hula and other traditions of our kūpuna. Today, OHA is putting the eall out to other artists and cultural practitioners who want to be included in updated directories, whieh are intended to comprise a national database of cultural assets and resources, as well as to encourage others to participate, appreciate and support these traditions. 01 a Nā Iwi: Directory of Hawaiian Artists and Cultural Resources Published in 1995, this directory features those who perpetuated the traditions, culture and skills of the Hawaiian people, including carving, featherwork, haku mele, kapa, kapa kuiki, lā'au lapa'au, lei, limu, lomilomi, 'ōlelo Hawai'i, oli and weaving. Kū Mai ka Po'e Hula: Directory of Hula Resources Since its publication in 1996, the Hawaiian community has lost kumu hula Hoakalei Kamau'u, Mae Ulalia Lobenstein, Edith Kawelohea McKinzie, Pululeo Park, Kini Sullivan and Aloha Dalire. In the updated edition, current kumu hula and those who make hula instruments are also invited to submit applications for listing. The directory will also include festivals and competitions that highlight and foster the art of hula. Nā Lima Mikioi: Directory of Weavers and Fiber Artists When it was published in 1997, most submissions eame from weavers like the late Lily Nunes, but kapa, 'ie'ie and cordage artists also applied for inclusion. Those who would like to apply for inelusion in the updated directories ean contact OHA Cultural Specialist Kalani Akana at 594-1844 or kalania@oha.org. Although sub-missions are submitted

voluntarily, OHA would like to urge others to identify keepers and perpetuators of culture in their own communities. ■

CULTURE

Above, contemporary Hawaiian artist Brook Parker, whose art is featured on this Merrie Monarch poster, will be included in Ola Hō Iwi: Directory ofHowaiian Artists and Cultural Resources.

Lloyd Harold Sing, Jr. - Photo: Courtesy I Kū Nō Hana Lima Ho'eau Hawai'i

Kalani Akana. - Photo: KWO file