Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 4, 1 April 2017 — Nā Mea Hwai'i expands into four unique native specially spaces [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nā Mea Hwai'i expands into four unique native specially spaces

By Francine Kananionapua Murray . luHi i

i £ his is the best time to I be a Hawaiian," says I Maile Meyer, the I Native entrepreneur I who started innovative businesses like Native Books in 1990 and Nā Mea Hawai'i in 1996. "Hawaiians are growing in number," she explains. "There are more of us every year. We are not going away. We have to retain our unique cultural identity, not at the exclusion of others, but so that we ean thrive and people ean see us doing different things." Today, the Nā Mea Hawai'i we know and love is even better than ever. The onee richly packed shop of native knowledge, art and wears has expanded to four different locations in Ward Warehouse. "It's an opportunity to be that vision of what we say we want to be," Meyer says. "The fascinating thing is working with and having a dif-

ferent relationship with the wider community," Meyer points out. "When we were down at Nā Mea Hawai'i, we were just kind of hanging out doing our thing. I didn't realize how few people are not active Hawaiians day-to-day, living the Hawaiian value system." As Nā Mea expanded in Ward Warehouse so did the feeling of community and sense of aloha. "It's been really interesting," Meyer says. "I ean see people smiling and laughing more. I feel the presence of our Hawaiian value system has spread out a little. It is a completely unanticipated outcome. I had no idea that most people had no contact or elue of what Hawaiian values are in puhlie. People say, 'Oh, you are so niee.' I tell them, 'I'mjust Hawaiian. That's the way I was raised.'"

Aupuni Plaee Art Gallery & Studios The former Nā Mea Hawai'i space, now called Aupuni Plaee, is a Native artists' gallery featuring original works for your viewing pleasure, as well as one of a kind pieces for

purchase. The gallery also hosts eight individual artist studios and a meeting area. Meyer says she started Aupuni so that Native Hawaiian artists could paint and have shows there - not

just gallery type displays, but live demonstrations and performances. For example, Meredith Enos, wife of the talented Native artist Solomon Enos, will have improv performances at Aupuni, and Jamaica Osorio with her friends will be sharing dramatic slam poetry pieces there for four or five months.

Nā Mea Hawai'i Now a cornerstone directly across the

entrance of the parking structure, Nā Mea Hawai'i is a treasure trove of cultural works that celebrate what Hawai'i has to offer. Hundreds of artists and loeal producers contribute to the selection of products made of wood, shells, feathers, ipu, jewelry, designer clothing, games and nueh more.

Native Knowledge Center The new book and media store is located near the escala-

tor. Friendly staff ean easily help you find what

you are looking for - hot new publications, fresh off the presses and even out of print books and DVDs from an era gone by. Native books and media ean also be found at the touch of a finger via their online store at www. nameahawaii.com. Hello Makana This delightful gift store with native flare is a wonderful nlaee to

find that special little treat to give or for yourself. If you have ever been

away from home for an extended period of time, you know what it's like to miss home and how a care paekaae ean instantlv

warm your heart and bring you back, even if only for a moment. Hello Makana is the ultimate loeal gift shop

with an amazing selection of items to add to a care package. You ean also find an enjoyable gift that keeps giving: the Hello Makana subscription, a monthly box

of Hawai'i-made products delivered to your door. The package usually contains three or four items of food, heahh, art and/or media, and a box ean be a one-time delivery or a sub-

scription for three, six or 12 months. Prices start at $28 per month, including shipping. Learn more or plaee an order online at helloma-

:ana.com. After Nā Mea Hawai'i expanded, they

were told that Ward Warehouse would be closing in August and the structure would be demolished. Today, Meyer says,

"I am grateful. She speaks of the opportunities there right now, the sense of community and about how

proud she is of the four locations that are all managed by Native Hawaiians who are leaming, growing and sharing aloha. "It's an incubator of ideas, excitement and potential." People and relationships are key ingredients in the success of this community-focused urban Hawaiian venture, with not just the four loeations, but events and hands-on activities like workshops, craft making, food sampling, performances and special features. It's a gathering plaee.

When they have to move, Mever hopes

to finds a plaee that looks and feels like community, mueh like Kaka ' ako does. She would like to

stay in the area, but may perhaps also look in Kalihi or Moili'ili. The Ka Wai Ola will keep readers posted.

"My favorite Kamuela Enos quote is, 'I speak Hawaiian in English.' Think about it. It's lovely. When you speak Hawaiian in English it means how I live. I live with a Hawaiian value system," Meyer says. Do more than live aloha, live Hawaiian. "We don't realize how special we are. I am finding that out everyday as I aminteracting with other people. I am really grateful to be Hawaiian. The more present we are for eaeh other the better. We have forgotten that we need to tell people what we value." To learn more or shop visit Ward Warehouse or www.nameahawaii.com. ■

head up to the North Shore. Hale'iwa Beach Park has a few pockets of sandy heaeh that me and my 'ohana love to enjoy. Set up a tent, eoolers, hihaehi, and spend the whole day. D0NUTS F0R J-DILLA We just released our Hawai'i Loves J-Dilla t-shirt. This tee was inspired by a

EXPERIENCE URBAN ART Ushering in the new urban Hawaiian artists is Kawika "CKaweekS" Samson aka @jahjahjitsu. His art work is amazing,

iegenoary mp-nop proaueer, James "J-Dilla" Yancy, who created hits for Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Janet J a e k - son, Macy Grey

fun and often larger than life. For Pow Wow 20 17, CKaweekS and Melon 1991 collaborated on a mural called "Don't Stop the Rock." Find their wall in Kaka'ako and find CKaweekS

art on pnnts, ■ stickers and pins 1 at jahjahjitsu. 1 eom. You ean also follow him

on Instagram: @ jahjahjitsu (art mixed with personal life stuff) & @ckaweeks (just art). H0L0H0L0 T0 HALE'IWA If you need a break from city life,

and Common. The last alhum he released before passing from a rare blood disease was called "Donuts," whieh is why in the hip-hop world a donut is synonymous with J-Dilla. Find it at lightsleepers.net. ■ What Hawaiian things do you aloha? Spread the love bv sending your suggestions to kwo@ oha.org.

The visual works of "CKaweekS" displayed in Kaka'ako. - Courtesy: Kawika "CKaweekS" Samson

Peaceful Hale'iwa. - Photo: īieena Shapiro

| Hawai'i LovesJ-Dilla t-shirt. - CourtesyLight Sleepers