Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 7, 1 July 2023 — Aki Named Public Affairs Manager of Alaska Airlines [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aki Named Public Affairs Manager of Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has named Jacob Aki as the new puhlie affairs manager in Hawai'i. Aki is the former director of communications for the Hawai'i State Senate. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalāma, Aki earned a BA ffom University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and a master s degree from George Washington University. In his new role, Aki will help represent the airline in state and loeal government affairs within Hawai'i, as well as in West Coast cities. He will work alongside Daniel Chun, Alaskas Hawai'i director of sales, community, and puhlie relation.

"Jacob is a highly respected, hard-work-ing leader, and we're thrilled to weleome I him to our team," Chun said. "His ex1 tensive experience in state government and

communications will allow us to deepen our engagement within Hawai'i as we continue to care for our loeal guests and communities." As director of communications for the Hawai'i State Senate, Aki was responsible for managing publie relations, digital media, and external communications of legislative initiatives and policy issues. Prior to that, he served as a senior legislative advisor at the Hawai'i

State Legislature. "Alaska's long-term commitment to our community and sustainability goals really excite me, and I am looking forward to being a part of the Alaska team here in Hawai'i," said Aki. 161-lot Homestead Project in Waikapu Ihe state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) broke ground in May on a $17 million project that will pave the way for 161 homestead lots in Waikapū - the first project funded via the historic $600 million that lawmakers set aside to help Native Hawaiians on the DHHL waiting list. "A portion of that was used to fill the gap needed to make this project a reality," Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairperson Kali Watson said. He described the project as "a vision realized." The Pu'unani Homestead project, managed by Dowling Company Ine., will include grading, construction of roads and utility improvements for the residential subdivision. Improvements include internal roadways, potable water, sewer, drainage detention basin, utility connections and roadway frontage improvements along Honoapiilani Highway. Construction should be eomplete by the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first of 137 turn-key homes expected to be offered in the third quarter of 2025, pending the eompletion of an additional water tank. Kapuni-Reynolds Named flssociate Curator for NMAI Ihe Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), recently named Halena Kapuni-Reynolds as their associate curator for Native Hawaiian history and culture. Kapuni-Reynolds, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of American Studies at UH Mānoa, is the first Native Hawaiian to be appointed. Although the museum's is located in Washington, D.C., Kapuni-Reyn-olds will telework from Hawai'i IsSEE NEWS BRIEFS ON PAGE 26

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NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 25 land. Miehelle Delaney, assistant director for history and culture, wrote the grant proposal for the nascent Native Hawaiian associate curator position to be community focused and 100% remote. "We are thrilled to have Halena join the NMAI team and weleome the increased emphasis on Native Hawaiian cultural research and programming whieh will be developed over time," Delaney said. Kapuni-Reynolds is a Kanaka 'Ōiwi composer and scholar, born and raised in Keaukaha on Hawai'i Island. He holds a BA in

anthropology and Hawaiian studies from UH Hilo and an MA in anthropology with a focus on museum and heritage studies from the University of Denver.

His duties include performing professional curatorial work associated with research, exhibits planning and development, collections review, collections development and information, community outreach, puhlie programming, education and puhlie service functions. Kapuni-Reynolds is currently completing his dissertation whieh tells a decolonial story of Keaukaha. Hālau Heads to Aotearoa for a Hō'ike Hālau 'o Kahiwahiwa is venturing to Aotearoa this month. The upcoming cultural exchange brings together two parts of one hālau - both of whieh are under the direction of Kumu, Auli'i Mitchell. Mitchell earned a master's degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge from Te Wananga O Aotearoa at Kirikiriroa, in Hamihon, Aotearoa. While living there, he brought his family's hula legacy to his Polynesian

cousins and founded Hālau o Hālau Moana-nui-a-Kiwa in Tāmaki Makaurau. This trip brings his two hālau together for the very first time. The hālau will showcase its hula, mele, and oli in a performanee at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The highlight of the hō'ike will be sharing

a nearly extinct form of hula called hula ki'i, or Hawaiian puppetry - the dance of the sacred image. Mitchell is the leading expert in reviving this ancient and rare form of hula.

The hālau will be joined by the Hula Preservation Society under the direction of Kumu Hula Maile Loo, and Nā Hanona Kūlike 'o Pi'ilani under the direction of Kumu Hula Kapono'ai Molitau. All three kumu will also be the featured guest speakers at the museum's Ngā Kākano Talks, a panel discussion eentered around Indigenous experiences, perspectives, expertise, and insights. Revitalizing Hawai'i's Lei lndustry BEHawai'i, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower and elevate Hawai'i's people by raising awareness and providing support to create prosperity, has launched a new program called the Lei Poina'ole Project (LPP). LPP was formed in 2022 after BEHawai'i Board Members heard concerns from Hawai'i lei flower growers, lei makers, and vendors about changes in the industry and the steady decline of lei resources and materials. Funded by a grant ffom The Administration for Native Americans, BEHawai'i was able to hire a full-time team dedicat-

| ed to furthering its impact across Hawai'i. This includes the or- | ganization's first l Executive Di- ' rector, Makana

Reilly. Born and raised on O'ahu, Reilly currently resides on Kaua'i. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Miami and an MA in olelo Hawai'i from UH Mānoa. Wai'anae-born Christian Zuckerman was also hired as LPP's lei farm specialist and will be responsible for supporting eight pre-existing small and medium lei growers and eventually developing 16 new small and medium lei growers across Hawai'i by 2025. Waiawa lnmates Earn CulinaryCertificates

Eight inmates from Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) eelebrated newly acquired culinary arts certificates and showcased their new skills by preparing and serving a banquet for invited family and friends on June 15. To earn their certificates, they completed four college-lev-el classes taught by Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) Chef/ Instructor Lee Shinsato over six months. Five of the eight graduates identify as Native Hawaiian: Gabriel Apilando, Antonio Belen, Keith Ke-a, Darius Ihompson and Kawika Krueger. "The culinary program taught me that anything is possible. As long as I put my mind to it and I'm willing to persevere and overcome and move forward in my life, I ean achieve all," said Belen. "This program helped me a lot," added Apilando. "It's giving me a lot to look forward to - a career or trade when I get out there 'cuz I'm not getting any younger."

This is the first time in 20 years that WCF has offered inmates a culinary program. KCC has operated the program at the Women's Community Correctional Center for more than 10 years with over 130 participants. Last year, KCC extended the program to WCF. "My hope is that students buy into my thoughts of how a professional kitchen should be run - respect, professionalism and to always strive for perfection. These are three soft skills that are transferable to any part of life (personal or professional)," said Shinsato. Court Rebukes BLNR Over Maui Water Permits Environmental court Judge Jeffrey P. Crabtree ruled on June 16 that the Board of Land and Natural Resources' (BLNR) issuanee of temporary permits to divert streams from East Maui was "in violation of constitutional or statutory provisions" and "made upon unlawful procedure." Crabtree reduced the amount of water that the permits authorize Alexander & Baldwin ("A&B") and East Maui Irrigation ("EMI") to take from east Maui streams ffom 40.49 million gallons per day ("mgd") to 31.5 mgd. Sierra Club Director Wayne Tanaka proclaimed the court's decision a "victory for the streams, and a vindication of both the law and the facts." The 31.5 mgd allowed under the court's order will still exceed the amount of water foreseeably needed for agriculture and Upcountry Maui, while ensuring that unneeded water would remain in east Maui to support the region's watersheds, estuaries, and community members reliant upon stream flow for recreation, cultural practices, and subsistence. In its ruling, the court criticized BLNR for dismissing "Sierra Club's advocacy out of hand by denying them a meaningful opportunity to be heard," an act that "offends the constitution" and held that BLNR must grant

Sierra Club a contested case hearing to examine legal and factual issues and concerns associated with the permits, including the amount of water wasted by unmaintained diversion infrastructure. "This ruling will help us to strike a better halanee in the sharing and protection of East Maui's streams, at least for the near future," said Tanaka. "With new leadership at BLNR, and new opportunities such as the Maui County Water Authorities, I am hopeful that we ean end the rampant waste and corporate monopolization of water." Researchers Deployto Papahānaumokuākea

This year marks the 50th anniversary of NOAA (National Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration) sending field researchers to Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) in Papahānaumokuākea to monitor honu (green sea turtles) that migrate there to mate and lay their eggs. About 96% of Hawaiian honu use Lalo as their nesting grounds. Having a research team at Lalo during the summer nesting months is important for monitoring the entire population. During the 2023 season, the three-person honu team will share a eamp with the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program's four-person research team. In 2018, Hurricane Lane caused the turtles' primary nesting habitat, East Island, to lose half its size. So far this year, East Island appears large and SEE NEWS BRIEFS ON PAGE 27

Halena KapuniReynolds

Kumu Hula Auli'i Milehell

Antonio Belen plotes 811 focaccia sliders. - Courtesy Photo

Seven researchers will be in Papahānaumokuōkea this summer to monitor the honu and monk seal populotions. - Courtesy Photo

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A monk seol mother ond her pup rest on the sond. - Photo: Glauco Puig-Santana

stable enough to support shortterm camping during peak nesting weeks, although researchers will be based on Tern Island. The short trips to East Island will allow the team to collect vital data on the number of females that nest eaeh night. Researchers have not been able to gather this data since 2018. Monk seal researchers will also be monitoring the subpopulation of Lalo and provide life-sav-ing interventions for animals at risk. While the Hawaiian monk seal population hit a new milestone with 10 consecutive years of slow-but-steady growth, there are still many threats to their survival. Seals at Lalo make up 20% of the seal population within Papahānaumokuākea. The researchers will also tag this year's cohort of new pups, survey the seal population, and address survival threats. Hawai'i Students Compete in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i Showcase in D.C. National History Day (NHD), with the support of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C., and the Hawai'i Council for the Humanities, announced the exhibition of six student historical research projects presented in olelo Hawai'i. In this special "In Language There Is Life: I ka 'Ōlelo nō ke Ola Showcase," middle and high school students from Hawai'i who completed a National History Day project in olelo Hawai'i and qualified at the Hawai'i afhliate contest, were invited to Washington, D.C., to share their work with a nation-

al audience. Their projects support larger community efforts that perpetuate and give life to Indigenous languages. The student projects also reflect the 2023 NHD theme, "Lrontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas." This is the first live Language Revitalization Showcase and joins the roster of student websites, performances, papers, exhibits, and documentaries showcased in cultural institutions in Washington, D.C. "This is such an exciting opportunity for our Hawaiian language speaking youth to share their aeademic work in the language of Hawai'i with a broader audience. It's inspiring to see the olelo Hawai'i category grow like this and is a sign that the endangered Hawaiian language is undergoing the process of renormalization," said Hawaiian Language Scholar and Historian Bruce Torres Lischer. EmmyAward-Winning Series Returnsto PBS Family Ingredients, a PBS series that explores the connection between food, family, and cultural origins, is set to return for its third season this July. The Emmy award-winning series takes viewers on a journey to discover the stories behind some of Hawai'i's most ieonie dishes. "We are thrilled to bring back

Fatnily Ingredients to PBS for another season," said series creator Heather Haunani Giugni. Hosted by popular Hawai'i Chef Ed Kenney, the program highlights

Hawai'i's rich multicultural eommunities while weaving together untold stories to reveal a history that few people know. Kenney dives deep into the fascinating histories of some of Hawai'i's most notable residents as he examines their favorite dishes. In this upcoming season, featured guests include singer Raiatea Helm, surfer/model/photographer Ha'a Keaulana, and singer/ songwriter Jack Johnson. Kenney will take viewers along as he ex-

plores the farms that feed us and visits the loeal fashion designers that dress us. The show aims to remind us of the values that bind us together, with a spotlight on stewardship, community and sustainability. "Season 3 is special. I eall it the 'aloha 'āina connection.' The pandemic drastically changed our production schedule, but it gave us an opportunity to tell a deeper story about Hawai'i's vibrant eommunity," director Ty Sanga said. 70 O'ahu Puhlie Schools Offer Fresh Poi for Luneh In effort to increase loeal menu offerings to students, over 70 O'ahu public schools now offer fresh loeal poi to students and staff as an accompanying luneh menu item. "We're really excited that for the first time in over a decade, we're serving poi on our regular school menus," said Randall Tanaka, assistant superintendent of the Department of Education's (DOE) Office of Lacilities and Operations. "We started with poi because there is truly a cultural significance and connection to our communities... All the kids in Hawai'i eat poi — we know that they eat it at home and we should be serving it in our schools." The DOE's farm-and-school initiative aims to enhanee food sustainability in Hawai'i, and aligns with Act 175, whieh focuses on improving the health of students while supporting loeal farmers. This first rollout of fresh loeal poi from Pomai Kūlolo, LLC, was allocated to O'ahu schools on a first-come, first-served basis with over 23,000 4-ounee servings distributed. Other O'ahu and neighbor island schools that wanted to participate - but were impacted by procurement limitations - were encouraged to incorporate loeal 'uala (sweet potato) into their luneh menus. The DOE is the state's largest institutional consumer of food products, serving over 100,000 students a day. SEE NEWS BRIEFS 0N PAGE 30

Heather Haunani Giugni

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NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 27 GenealogyWorkshop 0ffered on July 1 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Keolu Chapel, is hosting "Islands of the Pacific: A Family History Event" on Saturday, July 1, ffom 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and everyone interested in learning more about their genealogy is invited to attend. Event participants will learn how to utilize the FamilySearch. org website to find ancestors and make genealogical connections. FamilySearch.org is a free resource. Users ean set up an online account, create their family tree, add memories and include additional names. Boards displaying hundreds of names will be showcased at the event, providing the opportunity to find relatives and make connections. FamilySearch global consultants Ahona Faumuina and Tagi Schwenke will provide instruction along with Honolulu FamilySearch consultants Karauna and Liza Nasau. Whether you are searching for 'ohana here in Hawai'i (including those sent to Kalaupapa), or 'ohana from elsewhere in the world,

FamilySearch ean help. The July 1 event is the last in a series of similar events offered on the island of O'ahu. The event venue is at 1461 Kanapu'u Drive in Kailua. Go to familysearch. org/locations for a family search center in your area flffordable Kūpuna Housing Project Opens in Mō'ili'ili Hale Makana o Mō'ili'ili, a 105unit affordable rental housing project for kūpuna, has eompleted construction. A pule and blessing with a lei untying ceremony was held on June 9 at the housing project located at 2139 Algaroba Street. The project, a total investment of $39.7 million, offers safe, secure long-term rental housing for low-ineome kūpuna, in an effort to foster a positive and supportive living environment enabling independence during residents' "golden years." The project, a response to the urgent demand for affordable high quality housing options for kūpuna in the area, was made possible by Ikenakea Development, a partnership between 3 Leaf Holdings and the Hawaiian Community Development Board. AHL designed the project and Moss & Associates carried out the construction. Philpotts De-

sign helped to create an inviting environment. A distinctive feature, adding cultural significance, is the design pattern throughout the development by Manuheali'i. The development is a modern mid-rise rental housing project with covered parking stalls, bicyele storage and an onsite eommunity center. Gov. Josh Green, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters presided over the site blessing ceremony. Nearly 700 flcrestobe Added to State Legacy Land lnventory Two properties on O'ahu, one on Kaua'i, and one on Moloka'i are being added to the DLNR 2023 Legacy Land Conservation Program. The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved $6.3 million in grant awards from the Land Conservation Fund to acquire the properties. County programs and private donations are expected to provide matching funds that total more than $9 million. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will acquire the Moloka'i property, while the other acreage is being purchased by nonprofit organizations. DLNR/BLNR Chair Dawn Chang said, "These grant awards are instrumental in our fulfillment of our resource protection mission. They contribute to important private-public land eonservation partnerships by ensuring protection and preservation of these significant ecosystems for watershed management, trails access, and protection from potential development. The Legacy Land Conservation Program was established in 2005 to acquire lands of great resource value to the state. Since its inception, grants from the Legacy Land Conservation Program have supported the acquisition of 44 properties, representing nearly 25,000 acres of land. ■

Jacob Aki

Makana Reilly