Colin Ashworth
Schweizer
LLEA 371
22 November 2016
The Evolution of the Hokulea The story of the Hokulea, a model of the first canoes that brought the first Polynesians to Hawaii, is a story that restores cultural pride and history to Hawaiians. Her legacy was almost extinct, but survived and restored the relationship that society has with its island home. More than 600 years had gone by without seeing one of these canoes, until artist Herb Kane thought to build a sailing canoe just like the ones his ancestors sailed (“The Story of Hokulea”). Responsible for being the cornerstone of Polynesian culture, the Hokulea has evolved over many years and has helped revive a heritage that was almost lost.
Polynesia was a massive country forming a triangle
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Without these canoes, the Polynesians would have never made it to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiians were able to develop the islands and master the art of living sustainably. They were able to live lives that were full of leisure like surfing and hula dancing. Because the land was plentiful, they only had to spend around four hours per day working on food production and preparation, allowing for recreational time. Eventually, western influence brought a major shift in thinking, and changed how seafaring was done. Western influence brought new ideas, culture, and traditions to the islands. It also changed the way Hawaiians interacted with the natural environment. The Hawaiian traditional practices, views, and values were nearly forgotten over …show more content…
It is the star that sits over the Hawaiian Islands that helped the first Polynesians reach Hawaii. Herb Kane saw the name “Hokulea” to be a very fitting name for the revived canoe. In 1975, they launched the canoe, and it sailed around the islands to get it in the water for the first time. People would come down and sit around the canoe and look at it in awe. Many people thought it would not be built. It was! They thought that it would not sail. This canoe sailed! On May 1st, 1976, the Hokulea set sail and began its epic voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti, crossing 2,500 miles of water. On this first voyage, they had trouble finding a traditional navigator that could command the canoe. The Polynesian Voyaging Society had to look beyond Polynesia, and found Mau Piailug from an island called Satawal in Micronesia. This voyage would have never taken place without Mau Piailug because he was the only traditional navigator who was willing to reach outside his culture to help with the Hokulea. He “used the rising points of the stars, supplemented by observations of the sun, moon, and ocean swells, as a natural compass to guide the canoe. Even when days of solid cloud cover hid the stars, sun, and moon from sight, Mau was able to keep the canoe on course and keep in his mind an accurate picture of the canoe's progress toward Tahiti” (“Hokulea: The
While sitting on the beach looking into the ocean, rubbing the sand and enjoying the beautiful weather at Cabana’s beach; in beautiful Hawaii on the west side of the island of Oahu is a blessing. Listening to “Hawaii 78” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole at midday at three-thirty pm sparks a sense of uneasiness to a Native Hawaiian, Who are my ancestors? Who is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole? What is the land used for? Has Hawaii really changed, what is the difference between today and one hundred years ago? The importance of the logo “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono O Hawaii” http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/hi_motto.htm
Brown, DeSoto. "Beautiful, Romantic Hawaii: How the Fantasy Image Came to Be." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts. 20 (1994): 252-271.
Hawaiian traditional values reflect Aloha Aina, presents the ancient Hawaiian practice of using the talents and skills of everyone in the community, all working responsibly together in harmony, with a commitment for the present and a heart for future generations. We believe that the time-honored traditional approach of shared vision, shared responsibility also holds the key to a vibrant, modern society. It is upon this love for Hawaii and its people that Aloha Aina Project is built. Organizational Status Aloha Aina Project, is a special commission established and appointed by, and under the direction of, Ali’i Nui Mo’i Edmund Keli’i Silva, Jr. to be a catalyst in developing and urgently needed sustainable practices and programs for the Hawaiian Kingdom. Mission The mission of Aloha Aina Project is to help build the people of Hawaii into a vibrant, healthy and prosperous society, by using an approach to raise and improve the overall quality of life in the Hawaiian Islands. Despite outward appearances, Hawaii is at risk of experiencing a
I am Native Hawaiian and reside in Orange City, Florida. My ancestors were the first people who settled in Hawaii around 500 AD to 750 AD. They were Polynesians who came from the Marquesas Island in large boat-like canoes. The Canoe had a person who was the navigator. The navigator was a person who was able to read the stars and the sky as direction. These people were able to tell if there was land ahead even before they were able to see land from the canoe. A few years later, people from Tahiti and the other smaller Hawaiian Islands settled in Hawaii. They settled in Hawaii 2000 years ago.
The moʻolelo [mo-oh-le-lo] or story of Hāloa [haw-loh-uh] teaches about the importance of ʻāina. The story of Hāloa began when a stillborn baby named Hāloa was born. Hāloa’s body was buried, and from it grew first kalo [kah-lo] or taro plant, a Hawaiian food staple which foods like poi is made from. Eventually, Hāloa’s younger brother was born. He was the first man ever and was named Hāloa after his older brother. This moʻolelo shows the importance of ʻāina to Hawaiians. Hāloa who grew into the first kalo plant represents ʻāina and all its resources. ʻĀina is the older brother of the kānaka [kuh-nuh-kuh] or people because he cares for them by providing nourishment. In return, the kānaka, younger brother, takes care of the ʻāina by not being wasteful or harmful to the ʻāina. To the Hawaiians, losing land was like losing an older brother. Because of The Great Māhele, 99 percent of Hawaiʻi’s ʻāina belonged to nobles and foreigners. This is another example of how the Hawaiians were losing their
Hawaii, which is said to derive from “Hawaiki”, was originally home to the Polynesian people who sailed from their ancestral land of Raiatea hundreds of years ago. As the superpowers of the world, like Great Britain and America, rose to power, Hawaii found itself as a target for potential profit. Like many other islands that are the product of thousands of years of volcanic activity, Hawaii has a warm climate with rich soil and a diverse biological population. It is these characteristics that made the land so appealing to many foreign planters who wished to expand their business, and in turn make more profit. However, many American and European people began to decentralize the culture in Hawaii through attempts of assimilating the native people there, and conflict arose consequently.
I have selected this artefact of a fishing hook crafted with wood and bone as it signifies Polynesia's economic activities. Evidently, fishing contributed significantly to Polynesian economy. Early Polynesians
Traditions and history define cultures from one another. The traditional Polynesian voyaging methods were slowly ebbing away as technology advanced. Engine powered boats and GPS rendered canoes and celestial navigation impractical. These modern day impracticalities are part of the Hawaiian culture and were almost lost. The Hokule’a and its voyages saved an aspect of Hawaiian culture. The Hokule’a is a double-hulled sailing canoe that travels across the ocean using traditional navigation. The Hokule’a voyages preserve traditional seafaring and educate current generations about it. The Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission evolved over time and the Hokule’a’s purpose advanced. In the beginning
Wikipedia contributors. "Honolulu." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
The Polynesian peoples have a lifestyle quite different than that of any other culture, as living on an island requires a level of flexible adaptability in order to cope with such a different, sometimes difficult environment. We see the way diverse cultures build their lives around their circumstances and how they respect them in their cultural myths and stories. The Polynesian legends emphasize the physical environment that they live in. They are quite different than any other region in the world, but the beauty and individuality of the Polynesian culture is prominent as seen in their mythology.
Fukuyo is an A.I. who doesn't age like humans whatsoever and somewhat dislike men for some reason as she accidentally bumps into Hajime Ichijou while not paying attention where she's walking. She can express emotions like a human being, however, she can't feel emotions. Fukuyo looks skinny and fragile, but she really isn't and can take severe blows the only disadvantage is that she is physically weak in strength as she can't lift heavy things. She has long white hair with small twin-tails tied and eyes are odd colored, the right eye being red and the left eye yellow. The right eye's purpose is to physically injure the enemy's vital spot, however, it can only be used once as it requires a large amount of magic to use. The left eye's purpose
Heyerdahl countered every scientists’ belief by supplying them with his substantial evidence and by eventually setting out to sea himself. He argued that Polynesians had originated from Peru, and not Asia. With a strong trust in the numerous connections found between the Polynesians and the ancient Inca tribes, Heyerdahl set out to sea astonishing the world with his daring adventure over the Pacific Ocean in a simple raft. Not only was this journey a significant scientific feat, but it also proved that scientists had underestimated the use of a simple balsa wood raft by ancient people. The Kon-Tiki proved the previously believed theory wrong, which raises the question--what other beliefs could be challenged?
A serious rebirth in Polynesian culture and traditions arouse after the voyages by the Hokule'a. In 1975 a replica of a Polynesian voyaging can...
...e" (Trask xix). This incident beautifully illustrates and signifies tourism's impact in American society. Like most Americans, this woman uses a discourse that has been shaped by tourist advertisements and souvenirs. The woman's statement implies that Trask resembles what the tourist industry projects, as if this image created Hawaiian culture. As Trask asserts, Hawaiian culture existed long before tourism and has been exploited by tourism in the form of advertisements and items such as postcards. Along with the violence, endangered environment, and poverty, this exploitation is what the tourist industry does not want to show. However, this is the Hawai'i Haunani-Kay Trask lives in everyday. "This is Hawai'i, once the most fragile and precious of sacred places, now transformed by the American behemoth into a dying land. Only a whispering spirit remains" (Trask 19).
When British explorer Captain James Cook arrived on Polynesian islands in the Pacific Ocean, he and his sailors were amazed by the healthy and beautiful views of the local population.