Keynote Speaker: Dr. Noenoe Silva - Professor, Indigenous Politics & Hawaiian Language, UH Manoa
Noenoe K. Silva is from Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. She is professor of Indigenous Politics and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is the author of Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism and the forthcoming book with the working title, Restoring Native Hawaiian Intellectual History, both published by Duke University Press. Her research base is newspaper and archives in Hawaiian.
Noenoe K. Silva is from Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. She is professor of Indigenous Politics and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is the author of Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism and the forthcoming book with the working title, Restoring Native Hawaiian Intellectual History, both published by Duke University Press. Her research base is newspaper and archives in Hawaiian.
Panel 1 - Indigenous Knowledge & Kuleana
Rahira Makekau - Polynesian Cultural Center, Village of Aotearoa
Tribal affiliations: Tuhoe, Whakatohea, Tuwharetoa, Te Whanau-a-Apanui
A life-long performer of kapa haka, who was tutored and continues to be mentored by some of the best exponents of Maori culture and tikanga (protocols). She has travelled extensively over-seas as an ambassador of Maoridom and Aotearoa. Rahira is also an original member of Te Waka Huia, arguably one of the best Kapa Haka groups of all time. Although she has tutored and shared knowledge of her culture for more than 30 years, she knows she is still learning. Currently, Rahira is employed at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. She works with a small team of colleagues dedicated to upholding the integrity of her culture and sharing it with the world.
Rahira is married to Kim Makekau. Although they raised their five children in Aotearoa, they moved here in 2006. To her great joy, she now has 2 mokopuna (grandchildren) with one on the way.
Tribal affiliations: Tuhoe, Whakatohea, Tuwharetoa, Te Whanau-a-Apanui
A life-long performer of kapa haka, who was tutored and continues to be mentored by some of the best exponents of Maori culture and tikanga (protocols). She has travelled extensively over-seas as an ambassador of Maoridom and Aotearoa. Rahira is also an original member of Te Waka Huia, arguably one of the best Kapa Haka groups of all time. Although she has tutored and shared knowledge of her culture for more than 30 years, she knows she is still learning. Currently, Rahira is employed at the Polynesian Cultural Centre. She works with a small team of colleagues dedicated to upholding the integrity of her culture and sharing it with the world.
Rahira is married to Kim Makekau. Although they raised their five children in Aotearoa, they moved here in 2006. To her great joy, she now has 2 mokopuna (grandchildren) with one on the way.
Liko Hoe - Windward Community College
Liko Hoe was raised in the ahupuaʻa of Hakipuʻu and grew up during the reawakening of Hawaiian culture in the 1970ʻs often called the Hawaiian Renaissance. His parents were deeply involved in that movement and included he and his two brothers in their activities perpetuating and reviving culture, resisting development and restoring water rights and traditional access to land. As an extension of the revival of Hawaiian culture, Liko studied Hawaiian language at Kamehameha Schools and then at the University of Hawaiʻi. He has a B.A. in Hawaiian language and an M.A. in Religion with a focus on Hawaiian and Polynesian religions. Liko has studied Hula under Kumu Hula Wayne Chang, John Kaʻimikaua, and Elsie Ryder. He is currently an alakaʻi in Hālau Hula o Kukunaokalā. Liko has taught Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies in the University of Hawaiʻi system since 1996 and currently lectures at Windward Community College. Liko also helps to run the Waiāhole Poi Factory, which has been in his family since 1971.
Liko Hoe was raised in the ahupuaʻa of Hakipuʻu and grew up during the reawakening of Hawaiian culture in the 1970ʻs often called the Hawaiian Renaissance. His parents were deeply involved in that movement and included he and his two brothers in their activities perpetuating and reviving culture, resisting development and restoring water rights and traditional access to land. As an extension of the revival of Hawaiian culture, Liko studied Hawaiian language at Kamehameha Schools and then at the University of Hawaiʻi. He has a B.A. in Hawaiian language and an M.A. in Religion with a focus on Hawaiian and Polynesian religions. Liko has studied Hula under Kumu Hula Wayne Chang, John Kaʻimikaua, and Elsie Ryder. He is currently an alakaʻi in Hālau Hula o Kukunaokalā. Liko has taught Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies in the University of Hawaiʻi system since 1996 and currently lectures at Windward Community College. Liko also helps to run the Waiāhole Poi Factory, which has been in his family since 1971.
Aaron Salā - Windward Community College
Aaron J. Salā is an accomplished award-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, director, adjudicator, music scholar, and Hawaiian music professor. His self-produced debut album, Ka ‘Upu Aloha— Alone With My Thoughts, garnered him the highly-coveted Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award—the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy—for Most Promising Artist of 2006.. His sophomore album--Napo‘ona Mahina: the Illusion of Reality—released in 2008, garnered nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Haku Mele, and Graphics. Since 2002, he has served as a choral arranger for the annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest. Walt Disney has employed Aaron as both a vocal arranger and featured vocalist on several projects. Disney continued the working relationship by contracting Aaron as Music Director for Walt Disney Entertainment in the building of the Aulani Resort and Spa on the island of O‘ahu.
Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance as well as a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) where he is currently completing a PhD in Ethnomusicology. He is currently Director of Cultural Affairs at Royal Hawaiian Center, a Lecturer in Music UH-Music, and a Lecturer in Hawaiian Studies at UH-Windward Community College.
Aaron J. Salā is an accomplished award-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, director, adjudicator, music scholar, and Hawaiian music professor. His self-produced debut album, Ka ‘Upu Aloha— Alone With My Thoughts, garnered him the highly-coveted Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award—the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy—for Most Promising Artist of 2006.. His sophomore album--Napo‘ona Mahina: the Illusion of Reality—released in 2008, garnered nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Haku Mele, and Graphics. Since 2002, he has served as a choral arranger for the annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest. Walt Disney has employed Aaron as both a vocal arranger and featured vocalist on several projects. Disney continued the working relationship by contracting Aaron as Music Director for Walt Disney Entertainment in the building of the Aulani Resort and Spa on the island of O‘ahu.
Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance as well as a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) where he is currently completing a PhD in Ethnomusicology. He is currently Director of Cultural Affairs at Royal Hawaiian Center, a Lecturer in Music UH-Music, and a Lecturer in Hawaiian Studies at UH-Windward Community College.
Shavonn Matsuda - UH Maui College Library (LIS Graduate)
Shavonn Matsuda is from Hāna, Maui. She is currently a Librarian at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College where she is primarily responsible for public services and distance education. Shavonn earned concurrent bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Hawaiian Studies and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from UH Mānoa; her thesis is titled "Toward a Hawaiian Knowledge Organization System: A Survey on Access to Hawaiian Knowledge in Libraries and Archives."
Noelani Arista - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Noelani Arista (Native Hawaiian) is assistant professor of Hawaiian and American History at University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa. Her areas of expertise include translation and research in Hawaiian language archives, governance, colonial and indigenous history and historiography. Her dissertation, "Histories of Unequal Measure: Euro-American Encounters with Hawaiian Governance and Law, 1793-1827,” won the Allan Nevins Prize from the Society of American Historians for the best dissertation written on an American subject in 2010. In 2013-14, Professor Arista was a post-doctoral fellow in English at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research has been supported by fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, and the Native American Studies at Dartmouth College.
Noelani Arista (Native Hawaiian) is assistant professor of Hawaiian and American History at University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa. Her areas of expertise include translation and research in Hawaiian language archives, governance, colonial and indigenous history and historiography. Her dissertation, "Histories of Unequal Measure: Euro-American Encounters with Hawaiian Governance and Law, 1793-1827,” won the Allan Nevins Prize from the Society of American Historians for the best dissertation written on an American subject in 2010. In 2013-14, Professor Arista was a post-doctoral fellow in English at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research has been supported by fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, and the Native American Studies at Dartmouth College.
David Goldberg - University of Hawaii at Mānoa
David A.M. Goldberg is an accomplished Hawai‘i based writer, teacher, programmer and media developer who has used a lifelong interest in art, culture and technology to transform the means by which people access, assess and organize knowledge. A San Francisco native, David came of age in the 1980’s and split his time between practicing different elements of Hip-hop and exploring cyberspace at 300 baud with a Commodore 64. A fundamental cultural compatibility between Hip-hop and hacking would define the trajectory of his professional and creative life, taking him through Howard University’s School of Engineering while Hip-hop’s “golden era” inspired his generation’s popular culture and political perspective.
David continues to write, teach and develop interactive media projects independently and with the institutional support of State funding agencies, the University of Hawai‘i, Kapiolani Community College, the Maui Economic Development Board, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Department of Education. Currently he writes art and culture pieces for the Honolulu Star Advertiser and the Honolulu Weekly, programs and manages local and mainland web development projects, teaches in the department of American Studies at the University of Hawai‘i, and independently develops curriculum.
David A.M. Goldberg is an accomplished Hawai‘i based writer, teacher, programmer and media developer who has used a lifelong interest in art, culture and technology to transform the means by which people access, assess and organize knowledge. A San Francisco native, David came of age in the 1980’s and split his time between practicing different elements of Hip-hop and exploring cyberspace at 300 baud with a Commodore 64. A fundamental cultural compatibility between Hip-hop and hacking would define the trajectory of his professional and creative life, taking him through Howard University’s School of Engineering while Hip-hop’s “golden era” inspired his generation’s popular culture and political perspective.
David continues to write, teach and develop interactive media projects independently and with the institutional support of State funding agencies, the University of Hawai‘i, Kapiolani Community College, the Maui Economic Development Board, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Department of Education. Currently he writes art and culture pieces for the Honolulu Star Advertiser and the Honolulu Weekly, programs and manages local and mainland web development projects, teaches in the department of American Studies at the University of Hawai‘i, and independently develops curriculum.
Panel 2 - Knowledge Structures 2.0: Indigenous Knowledge Dissemination and Access in the 2.0 Environment
Dalani Tanahy - Kapa Hawaiʻi
My name is Dalani Tanahy. According to DNA testing, my bones are from the four corners of the earth. As a lifelong artist and part-Hawaiian, I have happened to focus in and become a practitioner of an art form that was ‘lost’ or more correctly, set aside, for about 70 years. Hawaiian women at the turn of the century were no longer making their native bark cloth or kapa. As one who is a part of the revival of this art, the thing I am continually striving for is to reach the level of quality and fineness that our ancestors had achieved with their work. Interestingly, the kapa became finest after contact and right before they stopped. Because there was no one to pass this art down, we have had to feel our way through and attempt to recreate the kapa with the information we had; observer reports and the bark cloth work done in the South Pacific islands, and museum collections. I learned kapa as a student who was also the teacher...I learned with those children I first taught 20 years ago, having no teacher myself. I consider myself always a student and hope to be as good as my kupuna were, when I grow up.
My name is Dalani Tanahy. According to DNA testing, my bones are from the four corners of the earth. As a lifelong artist and part-Hawaiian, I have happened to focus in and become a practitioner of an art form that was ‘lost’ or more correctly, set aside, for about 70 years. Hawaiian women at the turn of the century were no longer making their native bark cloth or kapa. As one who is a part of the revival of this art, the thing I am continually striving for is to reach the level of quality and fineness that our ancestors had achieved with their work. Interestingly, the kapa became finest after contact and right before they stopped. Because there was no one to pass this art down, we have had to feel our way through and attempt to recreate the kapa with the information we had; observer reports and the bark cloth work done in the South Pacific islands, and museum collections. I learned kapa as a student who was also the teacher...I learned with those children I first taught 20 years ago, having no teacher myself. I consider myself always a student and hope to be as good as my kupuna were, when I grow up.
Kawena Komeiji- UH West Oahu Librarian (LIS Graduate)
Kawena Komeiji is from Nuʻuanu, Oʻahu. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies and in 2014, she received her MLIS from the School of Library and Information Science at UH Mānoa. Prior to graduating, Kawena was as a graduate assistant under the direction of Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier and worked extensively with the Hawaiian language newspapers.
Brenda Asuncion - Moon Phase Project
Brenda Asuncion was raised in Waipiʻo on the ʻEwa plains of Oʻahu, but she currently lives in Wailupe (Kona, Oʻahu) and is learning how different it is to live in a valley. She works at Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo coordinating Hui Mālama Loko I‘a, a network of fishpond practitioners and stewardship organizations. Her personal goal related to the Moon Phase Project is to wean herself off tide calendars by understanding the seasonal and lunar cycles that influence the tides, and subsequently, so many other things in the ocean. She loves that the Moon Phase Project encompasses a very personal journey and the growth of a community at the same time.
Brenda Asuncion was raised in Waipiʻo on the ʻEwa plains of Oʻahu, but she currently lives in Wailupe (Kona, Oʻahu) and is learning how different it is to live in a valley. She works at Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo coordinating Hui Mālama Loko I‘a, a network of fishpond practitioners and stewardship organizations. Her personal goal related to the Moon Phase Project is to wean herself off tide calendars by understanding the seasonal and lunar cycles that influence the tides, and subsequently, so many other things in the ocean. She loves that the Moon Phase Project encompasses a very personal journey and the growth of a community at the same time.
Brad Wong - Moon Phase Project
Brad Wong is from Kailua, Koʻolaupoko and spends most of his time in the ocean paddling, surfing, and sailing waʻa, although farming and growing plants is a hobby he wishes he had more time for. He liked the ocean so much that he decided to study marine biology in college and currently works for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs helping to manage the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Sometimes he is even lucky enough to travel to pō learning from the ʻāina kūpuna in the northwest. His interest in the mahina revolves around weather patterns and anything else seen while looking up. What he enjoys the most out of the Moon Phase Project is sharing the ʻike of our kūpuna to everyone interested, and hopefully growing that knowledge base to all of Hawaiʻi.
Brad Wong is from Kailua, Koʻolaupoko and spends most of his time in the ocean paddling, surfing, and sailing waʻa, although farming and growing plants is a hobby he wishes he had more time for. He liked the ocean so much that he decided to study marine biology in college and currently works for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs helping to manage the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Sometimes he is even lucky enough to travel to pō learning from the ʻāina kūpuna in the northwest. His interest in the mahina revolves around weather patterns and anything else seen while looking up. What he enjoys the most out of the Moon Phase Project is sharing the ʻike of our kūpuna to everyone interested, and hopefully growing that knowledge base to all of Hawaiʻi.
Kanani Frazier - Moon Phase Project
Kanani Frazier was born and raised on Hawaiʻi and is stoked to be raising her children there. She is a graduate of UH Mānoa with her Bachelors of Arts in Biology. Her goal with this degree was to help facilitate the integration of Hawaiian culture and language with the Western sciences. Through the Moon Phase Project Kanani has been able to strengthen her Hawaiian cultural knowledge and also pass it on to her children. She has worked on the Hanalei Moon and Tide Calendar in 2012 and 2013 and has since developed the Puke Moʻolele Mahina. Her goal for the Puke Moʻolelo Mahina, which is a moon phase planner, is to not only educate about the Hawaiian lunar calendar but also integrate kaulana mahina into our everyday lives.