Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 4, 1 April 2016 — Festival features Hawaiian books, music and culture [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Festival features Hawaiian books, music and culture

ByTreenaShapiro Apeek at the scheduled presenters for the llth annual Hawai'i Book and Music Festival reveals a treasure trove of enlightening entertainment for those interested in Hawaiian eulture, history and literature of all genres. Some of the highlights include talks by novelist Susanna Moore, who has written a nonh ction history of late 18th century Hawai'i; Patrick Kirch, author and leading archaeologist of Hawai'i and Polynesia; and Rianna Williams, author and historian specializing in the Hawaiian monarchy period. In honor of the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death, there will even be a panel titled "Shakespeare in Hawai'i and in Hawaiian," as well as a performance of "The Gravedigger's Tale," a variant of "Hamlet."

Held over two days on the munieipal grounds near Honolulu Hale, the annual festival features entertainment and panels for all ages on mulhple stages, including the OHA-sponsored ALANA (Awakening) Pavilion, whieh explores Hawaiian culture in depth. This year, the ALANA program on April 30 will feature talks on Hawaiian sense of plaee, the

politics of Hawaiian archaeology, Hawaiian history rediscovered and a proposed Hawaiian constitution. There will also be an 'Ōiwi video on Hōkūle'a's progress on its worldwide journey. Nanette Napoleon, emeee of the ALANA program since its ineep-

tion, has been a historian and student of culture for her entire adult life, whieh gives her a familiarity with most of the topics that are covered. "This is a major passion of mine," she says. "I'mreally proud that I'm Hawaiian and the emeee in that pavilion."

The ALANA program connects scholars with readers who otherwise might not be reached outside of the academic setting. The presentations are casual, low-key and aimed at a general audience. "It's great to bring those kinds of people together, to get themdrawn into history, issues and culture in a real way," as opposed to learning about these topics through books, television or the Inter-

net, Napoleon points out. "During the Q&A, the puhlie gets to ask questions directly." In the early years of the festival, the sessions in the ALANA Pavilion could be sparsely attended but they've grown in popularity over the years. "Especially in the past

three or four years, lots of times it's standing room only," Napoleon says. "I think it's gathered steam and a lot of people are regulars who eome every year." Many of the presenters scheduled for this year's festival are also familiar faces in the pavilion. "They've heeome pretty regular now," says Napoleon. "It's always fun for me to see what they've eome up with." Over on the main stage, entertainment includes three kumu hula - Māpuana De Silva, Miehael Pili Pang and Niuli'i Heine - as well as music by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Kenneth Makuakāne, Jeff Peterson, Kawika Kahiapo, Walt Keale, the Carmen Haugen Quartet and Henry Allen. There will also be a 'Ukulele Kanikapila on May 1 from 3 to 5 p.m. The 2016 Hawai'i Book and Music Festival takes plaee at the Civic Grounds by Honolulu Hale from April 30 to May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit hawaiibookand musicfestival.com. ■

Richard Keao NeSmith at HBMF 201 5, Translator of English-language keiki classics into Hawaiian. - Photo: Courtesy