Deep Diving & Connecting with Culture in the Hawaiʻi Island Visitor Industry
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Virtually (Hosted at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center)
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry deep dive into culture, it’s use, it’s inclusion, it’s appropriateness, and its place within the visitor industry on Hawaiʻi Island. The panel featured cultural experts, kumu, and cultural consultants from across the pae ʻāina to talk about the ways in which they have engaged with the visitor industry and share best practices for businesses in promoting and perpetuating authentic cultural and historical incorporation throughout Hawaiʻi.
This workshop was held virtually.
The topics covered in this workshop included:
When you come here, you need to understand how we live and what we do
You have to have a seat at the table - without that, you don't have say and you can't make enough change
Now that we are at the table, we can hold people accountable
Kuleana
Individual cultural knowledge and ensuring that there is an understanding of generational and cultural knowledge
There are some things that we need to keep for ourselves, not everything needs to be shared
Intellectual property, protocol, and do you have the right to share what you are sharing?
The pilina that you build and that system is so important
Speakers Profiles
Malia Kaʻupu
Salt Master, Kona Sea Salt
Malia Kaʻupu, coming from Keaukaha in Hilo, is a Salt Master at Kona Sea Salt. Malia previously worked in social services with a focus on addiction recovery within the Hawaiian community, often bringing groups from Clean and Sober homes to assist at the salt farms. During these visits, Malia met and connected with Melanie Kelekolio, Kona Sea Salt’s chief salt maker, who invited them to join the team and deepen their understanding of salt cultivation, local history, and the cultural importance of salt for Native Hawaiians. With an expertise in Keāhole Point's natural sea salt and seawater, Malia is dedicated to advancing Kona Sea Salt’s efforts in producing sustainable and genuine products made locally only in Hawaiʻi.
Luka Kanakaʻole
Communications Officer, Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation
Kala'ionāmoku Luka Kanakaʻole Mossman, born in Waiakea, Hilo, Hawaiʻi, was raised with strong native Hawaiian values and a deep connection to the environment. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. With extensive experience in working with the Lokoiʻa o Hale-o-lono (traditional Hawaiian fishpond aquaculture), fishing, and working with native forests, Luka has a comprehensive understanding of managing natural resources. Fluent in ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, he researches traditional Hawaiian literature and currently works as the Communications Officer for the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, and a researcher for the Papaku Makawalu Program, which applies traditional Hawaiian knowledge to modern environmental management practices.
Vicky Holt Takamine
Executive Director, Paʻi Foundation
Vicky Holt Takamine is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools with a B.A. & M.A. in Dance Ethnology from the University of Hawai’i. Takamine ʻūniki (graduated through the rituals of hula) as a kumu hula in 1975 after training under hula master Maiki Aiu Lake and established her hālau, Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima, in 1977. Vicky is a recognized leader and advocate for Native Hawaiian rights, social justice, and the protection of Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources. She served as a lecturer at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and Leeward Community college for over 35 years. In 2001, she founded the PAʻI Foundation to support and promote Native Hawaiian art and culture.
Kenneth Alohapumehanaokalā Victor
Founder & Kumu Hula, Kauluaʻe Hawaiʻi
Aloha Victor was raised in South Kona - where he grew up on his ʻohana’s coffee farm and cattle ranch, danced hula, and attended Hōnaunau El. In college, he created KD & Associates and Flowers with Aloha, curating specialty events island wide. In 2017, he launched “Kaulua'e Hawai'i", with iconic designs such as the mast heads of the old Hawaiian language newspapers from 1834-1949, the 1897 Kūʻē petitions, and is one of the few that continues to manufacture all of his product here at home.
He has kuleana as one of the youngest board members of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival and as Kumu Hula for Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu, committed to fostering multi-generational 'ohana learning through sense of self, place, and community.
Moderator Profile
Albert “Alapaki” Nahale-a
Partner, Islander Institute
Alapaki has spent more than 30 years serving the community in a variety of roles. His past positions include director and chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and as the CEO of the Global Resiliency Hub at ʻIole. He has held various roles at Kamehameha Schools including senior director of community strategies. He has also worked extensively for charter schools as president and executive director of the Hawaiʻi Charter School Network, member of the Hawaii charter school commission and director of two Hawaii public Charter Schools.
Resources
Culture in Hawaiʻi Island Workshop Informational Packet
What is the FTA program?
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