Hāʻulelau 2021

One of the most isolated islands on earth, Rapa Nui is known for its impressive stone images, moai, that seem to gaze out into the heavens. Today, the island is experiencing high community consciousness around recycling and sustainability, and there are active movements and initiatives that promote Rapanui self-determination, independence, and indigenous rights. Inspired by a shared dedication to promote ancestral knowledge and sciences and to strengthen native identity and worldviews, ʻAha Moananuiākea has joined with Foundation Ao Tupuna and NGO Toki Rapa Nui to establish a declaration of kinship and unity to celebrate our heritage as Pacific peoples. Come and explore this brand new section of Kaʻiwakīloumoku’s website!

Hāʻulelau 2021

In this episode of Mele Hoʻoheno - Cherished Songs, kumu hula and award-winning musician Manu Boyd takes a closer look at the mele Welina Oʻahu, composed by Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, Wayne Keahi Chang, and Leināʻala Kalama Heine in the 1970s. He recalls the special people and places which inspired the creation of this mele, evoking fond memories as he speaks of the unparalleled beauty of a lei ʻilima, the sweet fragrance of tuberose, pua kenikeni, and pīkake, and the vibrant colors of the plumeria. Boyd also discusses the profound impact the music of that time had on the lives of so many, including his own.

Originally Aired: April 28, 2021

Learn more about the dynamic, future-facing people of Rapanui. The Rapa Nui voyaging canoe Kuini Analola opens up the Matariki Festival, and filmmaker Sergio Mataʻu Rapu shares the compelling backstory on his acclaimed, “Eating Up Easter,” which deals with issues of trash disposal, tourism, and cultural survival. Hōkūleʻa’s 2017 landfall is recounted, and an inspiring visit to the environmentally-driven Toki Music School which was ingeniously constructed from waste products. Local leaders of Foundation Ao Tupuna offer an interesting take on Rapa Nui’s Covid-19 shut down with reports of a rejuvenated landscape and closer family interactions that seemed to strengthen their traditional lifeways.