Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Uncle Eddie Ka`anana Tribute: Ku`i Kalo at Capitol on 1/25/10

On Monday, January 25, 2010, Friends of Uncle Eddie Ka`anana and Rep. Maile Shimabukuro are co-sponsoring a tribute to a beloved kupuna (Hawaiian elder), Eddie Ka`anana. Ka`anana passed away in July 2006.

Ka`anana hailed from Miloli`i, a fishing village in South Hawai`i Island, and dedicated the last 25 years of his life to passing on the traditional Hawaiian practices that he was raised with. In particular, Ka`anana taught others to speak Hawaiian, malama aina (care for the land), and ku`i kalo(make poi). Ka`anana became an "uncle" to hundreds, if not thousands, of young people, through his volunteer work at Ka`ala Farm, Anuenue Hawaiian language immersion school, Kapapa Lo`i `O Kanewai at UH-Manoa, and other venues.

"In memory and celebration of uncle Eddie Ka`anana we invite all whom he touched to join together on his birthday to clean andku`i kalo (make poi) at the State Capital Rotunda," said Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, one of the event co-sponsors.

"To gather and ku`i (pound taro) is a simple demonstration of our connection with and love of Haloa, our culture, real food and our love for uncle. It will send a message to our lawmakers that we are here again. Kaipo`i and I `see' that uncle will be smiling to see us together at the capitol," said Vince Kana`i Dodge, one of the organizers.

Many in the group support the ban on genetic modification of kalo (taro), the plant which Hawaiians believe is their ancestor, Haloa.

Date: January 25, 2010

Time: 3-7pm

Place: Rotunda, State Capitol (courtyard on ground level, site of previous "Haloa Jam")

What to bring: ku`i mea, cooked kalo (taro), i`a(fish), la`i (ti leaf) for wrapping pa`i`ai (concentrated poi), awa, kanikapila (musical instruments and song)

We will provide some cooked kalo and i`a malo`o (dried fish), bring extra ku`i and cleaning mea

Kokua (help) needed with: setup, cleanup, cookingkalo, organizing the presentation of Ku Kahakalau’s DVD “na kupuna”, getting footage of uncle’s last public appearance and sharing (Bachman Hall Haloa Rally), inviting na kanaka i aloha nui o anakala

Contact:

Kaipo`i Kellings, 722-8175

Vince Kana`i Dodge, 478-6492, aipohaku@hotmail.com

Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com




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