The disappearing voice of the forest: Snail stories from Hawai’i

February 22, 2021

Featuring:

Dr. David Sischo (Director, Snail Extinction Prevention Program),

Dr. Norine Yeung (Malacology Collection Manager, Bishop Museum),

Dr. Ken Hayes (Center for Molecular Biodiversity, Bishop

Museum),

Dr. Brenden Holland (Hawai’i Pacific University)

Prof. Michael Hadfield (Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa)

Dr. Sam ‘Ohu Gon III (Biologist and cultural advisor, The Nature Conservancy), Prof. Puakea Nogelmeier (Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa)

Cody Pueo Pata (Kumu hula and respected cultural practitioner)

Lindsay Renshaw (Lab Manager, Snail Extinction Prevention Program).

This audio piece tells the story of the ongoing decline and extinction of Hawai’i’s incredible land snails, exploring the diverse ways in which these often-overlooked creatures matter for local people and their environments.

Acknowledgments: Thanks to Brandy Nālani McDougall for her beautiful vocal contribution and to Keola Beamer for permission to use his recording of “Kahuli Aku” from the album Island Born.

Image credit: David Sischo.

Nerd Nite Honolulu Presents Bishop Museum Takeover!  

Recorded Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Anna O’Brien’s 

Nerd Nite HNL and Bishop Museum join forces for a special evening.

• Going Back to the Future with Bishop Museum’s Archaeology Collections 

with Jillian A. Swift, Bishop Museum Archaeologist 

• Bishop Museum Collections Trivia – Vertebrate or Invertebrate? 

with Molly Hagemann and Holly Bolick, Bishop Museum Vertebrate and Invertebrate collections managers

• Weird and Wonderful: Highlights of the Personal Collection of a Hawai’i Historian 

with DeSoto Brown, Bishop Museum Historian

Listen to “Nerd Nite Honolulu Presents Bishop Museum Takeover!” on Spreaker.

Traditions of the Pacific 
Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka’ehukai
With friends of Rell Sunn:
Dalani Tanahy, Kapa Hawaiʻi, Westside Wahine surfer; Jeannie Chesser, pro-surfer and artist; Sonya Evenson, surf report DJ and champion windsurfer; Laura Blears, pro-surfer; Laola Lake Aeʻa, one of the founding organizers of Women’s Pro Surfing Association, and water safety instructor; Brooke Holt-Pennel, surfer; and Toni Hambaro, surfer.  

Panel of speakers’ discussion recorded on Thursday, February 20, 2020 after film showing in Atherton Hālau. 

Heart of the Sea is a documentary film about surf legend and “Queen of Mākaha,” Rell Kapoliokaʻehukai Sunn. Sunn was a founding member of the Women’s Professional Surfing Association and a beloved breast cancer activist. With exhilarating water scenes and captivating archival footage of surf culture, Heart of the Sea is an important look at Hawaiʻi’s integral part in America’s rich cultural heritage, and a stirring portrait of a courageous legend.

Traditions of the Pacific is coordinated by the Bishop Museum Association Council, the supporting council for Bishop Museum members, to celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. 

Watch Heart of the Sea online https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rellsunndoc  

Listen to “Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka’ehukai” on Spreaker.

The Hawaiian Temple System in Ancient Kahikinui and Kaupō, Maui
with Dr. Patrick V. Kirch 

Thursday, October 3, 2019 in the Atherton Halau 

The book Heiau, ‘Āina, Lani, meaning “Temples, Land, and Sky,” is a collaborative study by Dr. Patrick V. Kirch and Clive Ruggles, using an approach that combines archaeology and archaeoastronomy. The remarkably well-preserved archaeological landscape of Kahikinui and Kaupō in southeastern Maui includes some 78 heiau, or temple sites, ranging from small coastal fishing shrines, through agricultural fertility temples, to the imposing war temples of Loʻaloʻa and Pōpōiwi, where Maui’s King Kekaulike offered up human sacrifices.  

Building on detailed mapping and study of these temple foundations, Kirch and Ruggles generated new insights into how heiau served not only as places of sacrifice and prayer, but also as locations where kāhuna observed the heavens. Observing the rising of the Pleiades (Makaliʻi), and probably also the solstices, allowed the kāhuna to calibrate the Hawaiian lunar calendar, keeping it in sync with the solar year. 

Listen to “The Hawaiian Temple System in Ancient Kahikinui and Kaupō, Maui” on Spreaker.

Moananuiākea: One Ocean, One People, One Canoe
with Nāʻālehu Anthony of ʻŌiwi TV

Recorded Thursday, October 17, 2019 in Atherton Hālau

Moananuiākea is a documentary film telling the story of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage of legendary canoe Hōkūleʻa.

The three-year voyage connected countless individuals and communities from around the globe. It was also the fulfillment of the vision of pwo navigator Nainoa Thompson and his contemporaries, to pass the mantle of celestial navigation to the next generation of kānaka maoli who will retain the skills of their ancestors and perpetuate this tradition for generations to come.

The film is presented by the Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV and produced by Nāʻālehu Anthony, Bryson Hoe, and Maui Tauotaha, all of whom served as crew members on Hōkūleʻa.

Traditions of the Pacific is coordinated by the Bishop Museum Association Council, the supporting council for Bishop Museum members, to celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Listen to “Moananuiākea: One Ocean, One People, One Canoe” on Spreaker.

Science through Art: Birds of a Feather Working Together
with Molly Hagemann, Invertebrate Zoology collections manager and Laurie Sumiye, artist 

Recorded on Thursday, September 19, 2019 in Atherton Halau 

The Natural History collections at #BishopMuseum are an invaluable resource for artists who interpret scientific specimens differently than scientists do. Hear from the Museum’s Molly Hagemann and artist Laurie Sumiye about how a mutual love of birds developed into a friendship and a professional collaboration involving the Museum’s Avian Collection. Laurie created molds from the albatross eggs in the Museum collections and then fashioned resin eggs filled with marine debris to illustrate the impact of plastic on North Pacific albatross populations. This art installation, Laysan 1902, is now on display in the Science Adventure Center. The next collaborative project is a documentary film on the palila, a critically endangered honeycreeper. These stories increase public awareness and help preserve Hawaiʻi’s dwindling biodiversity. 

This program is coordinated by the Bishop Museum Education Department to celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. 

Listen to “Science through Art: Birds of a Feather Working Together” on Spreaker.

The Archive of Te Rangihiroa
with Wānanga | Wānana Research Residency recipients: 
Ngahina Hohaia (Taranaki, Ngāti Moeahu, Ngāti Haupoto) Visual artist; and Julian Arahanga (Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi), Film and television writer, director, producer, and researcher  

Recorded on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in Atherton Halau 

Hear the findings and insights of the two Wānanga | Wānana Research Residency recipients on their explorations into the archival materials of Taranaki-born Māori scholar Te Rangihiroa from Ngāti Mutunga—also known as Sir Peter Buck (ca. 1880–1951). Buck was a physician, statesman, and scholar, and the first indigenous director of Bishop Museum, from 1936 until his passing in 1951. He documented the rich cultures of Polynesia and brought worldwide awareness of their skills and accomplishments. One of the world’s leading Polynesian scholars, Buck’s work and leadership continue to have a lasting impact on the Pacific and on the relationship between Māori and Kānaka Maoli. 

The Wānanga | Wānana Research Residency is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Bishop Museum Library & Archives.

Listen to “The Archive of Te Rangihiroa” on Spreaker.

Traditions of the Pacific Presents
Fire in the Sea: Learning from the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption
with Dr. Scott Rowland, volcanologist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 

Recorded on Thursday, August 15, 2019 in the Atherton Hālau 

The spring-summer 2018 Kīlauea eruption was unprecedented in post-contact times, in terms of the nature and scale of the activity and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Was this eruption associated with the fiery forces of Pele or could it signify an older deity, ʻAilāʻau, the Forest Eater? This scientific talk by Dr. Scott Rowland, a specialist in Volcanology in Hawaiʻi, will highlight some of the unusual aspects of the 2018 eruption, its effects, and what is yet to be learned and even un-learned from of this once-in-a-lifetime event. 

Traditions of the Pacific is coordinated by the Bishop Museum Association Council, the supporting council for Bishop Museum members, to celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Links: 

Strange Tides After the 6.9 Earthquake in Hawaii  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSqGC6jDfB0 

USGS Kilauea Videos 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_videos.html 

Overview of Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/file_mngr/file-224/OVERVIEW_Kil2018_LERZ-Summit_June%202019.pdf 

Listen to “Fire in the Sea: Learning from the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption” on Spreaker.

Recreating the Lost Worlds of the Past: From the Mauritius Dodo to the Blind Duck of Hawaiʿi
with Dr. Julian Hume, paleontologist at the Natural History Museum, London

Recorded on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 in the Atherton Hālau.

Island birds have been subject to spectacular evolutionary events and it is only now that science is beginning to understand the processes involved. The importance of paleontology and ancient DNA have been paramount in research, which has resulted in some extraordinary discoveries. Julian Hume is a self-taught artist specializing in reconstructing extinct species, who completed an undergraduate degree in paleontology at the University of Portsmouth, followed by a PhD on the extinct birds of the Mascarenes at the Natural History Museum (NHM), London. Using a combination of art and science, Dr. Hume presents some of his works on island bird evolution, and the recreation of some of the lost worlds of the past.

This program is coordinated by the Bishop Museum Natural Sciences Department to celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Listen to “Recreating the Lost Worlds of the Past: From the Mauritius Dodo to the Blind Duck of Hawaiʿi” on Spreaker.

Science Seen through Art: Deep–Sea Colors 

with Holly Bolick, Bishop Museum Invertebrate Zoology Collections Manager and Pratisha Budhiraja, Scientific Artist 

Recorded Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Atherton Hālau 

Bishop Museum scientists and the Honolulu Printmakers are working together on a Science-Art project that will showcase current research and collections. A series of talks will highlight the research and artistic process of these collaborations. The first talk is inspired by the intricate structural forms, patterns, and strange “colors” (metallic and translucent) of deep-sea invertebrates. Come and hear about the deep-sea research being done in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands, new specimens being added to the Invertebrate Zoology Collection, and how all this translates into an artistic presentation of science.

The art pieces created through this collaboration will be exhibited at Bishop Museum in the spring of 2020.

This program is coordinated by the Bishop Museum Education Department to celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Listen to “Science Seen through Art: Deep-Sea Colors” on Spreaker.

Hawaiian Science: Biocultural Restoration of an Ahupua‘a
with Dr. Kawika Winter, reserve manager at the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve
Recorded Thursday, March 21, 2019 in the Hawaiian Hall Atrium

Explore large-scale biocultural restoration and traditional resource management in the largest sheltered body of water in the Hawaiian Islands. The reserve protects unique ecosystems including the He‘eia Stream, coral reefs, sand flats, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, as well as traditional agricultural and heritage lands. It is home to the endangered Hawaiian stilt, moorhen, coot, duck and hoary bat. Winter speaks about the effect of a typically Western scientific approach compared with Native Hawaiian management practices.

Listen to “Hawaiian Science: Biocultural Restoration of an Ahupua‘a” on Spreaker.

Hula: Mind, Body and Spirit,
Hula Maʿi: Procreation Chants and Dances
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series
With Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt of Pā‘ū o Hi‘iaka and University of Hawai‘i Maui College
Recorded Thursday, November 15, 2018 in Atherton Hālau

Traditional procreation chants and dances celebrate and encourage the continuation of ali‘i family lines. Hula ma‘i are often misunderstood and misinterpreted in modern Western contexts. (Parental discretion advised).

The Hula: Mind, Body and Spirit lecture and film series was made possible through the generous support from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, JABSOM, UH Mānoa and Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola.

Hula: Mind, Body and Spirit,
Hula and Ku‘ialua: Dance and War
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series
with Billy Richards, Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, and Kyle Nakanelua
Recorded Thursday, October 18, 2018 in Atherton Hālau

The parallels between hula and the Hawaiian martial art ku‘ialua, also called lua, are not apparent to most observers, but are noted by experts skilled in both cultural practices. Parallels and differences will be demonstrated and discussed.

The Hula: Mind, Body and Spirit lecture and film series was made possible through the generous support from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, JABSOM, UH Mānoa and Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola.

Hula: Mind, Body and Spirit,
ʿUniki Ceremony in Contemporary Hula
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series
with Kumu Hula Manu Boyd of Hālau o ke ʿAʿaliʿi Kū Makani
Recorded Thursday, September 20, 2018 in Atherton Hālau

A generation ago, ʿuniki hula (a hula graduation ceremony) was a rare and seldom-discussed event; now ʿuniki are televised, included in university classes, and regularly conducted throughout Hawaiʿi. What are the elements and requirements of this revived ʿuniki ceremony?

The Hula: Mind, Body and Spirit lecture and film series was made possible through the generous support from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, JABSOM, UH Mānoa and Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola.

Stories from Hōkūle‘a’s Worldwide Voyage: Science at Sea
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series
Recorded Thursday, March 15, 2018 in Hawaiian Hall

As Hōkūle‘a sailed around the world, one of its educational goals was to learn more about the Earth and her natural wonders. Hear from crew members as they share lessons learned from visiting areas such as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, the Galápagos National Park, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and one of the oldest and most diverse fossil reefs in the world, in Lake Champlain, Vermont. Learn about some of the science projects conducted while on the wa‘a (canoe) and how updates, weather, and navigation reports from aboard Hōkūle‘a and sister canoe Hikianalia were used to support classroom instruction related to navigation and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

This six-part Traditions of the Pacific lecture series is made possible through the generous support from Hawai’i Tourism Authority and the Tommy Holmes Foundation and in partnership with Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Stories from Hōkūleʻa’s Worldwide Voyage: Technology Leg by Leg
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series
Naalehu Anthony, Bryson Hoe, and Maui Tauotaha
Recorded on Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Hawaiian Hall

Through the internet and modern-day technology, the world was able to track and engage with Hōkūle‘a, a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe, that used no modern technology to sail around the world. Hōkūle‘a traveled 42,000 nautical miles in three years and visited 150 ports in over 20 countries and kept in contact with the world the whole time. The Mālama Honua online map showed the canoe’s location in real time. Video chat from the canoe to classrooms allowed children to hear from the crew directly about details of the voyage. Come hear how all that was made possible.

This six-part Traditions of the Pacific lecture series is made possible through the generous support from Hawai’i Tourism Authority and the Tommy Holmes Foundation and in partnership with Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Artist Spotlight with Matt and Roxanne Ortiz
Creativity & Sustainability at Play
Recorded Thursday, August 24, 2017 in Atherton Hālau

Matthew and Roxanne Ortiz are a husband and wife art duo who collaborate under the name Wooden Wave. Their work has a hand-drawn aesthetic that reflects a playful sensibility and appreciation for draftsmanship. Frequently using treehouses as their subject matter, the art of Wooden Wave presents a whimsical take on the notion of the sustainably integrated community.

Artist Spotlight with Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō
Kana: Invigorating Cord Wear in 21st Century Ceremony
Recorded June 29, 2017 in the Atherton Hālau

A walaʻau (talk-story) style presentation and a close-up demonstration of cordage made into ritual clothing used in 21st century ceremony. Honoring Kana, Hiloʻs Deity of Cord, Tangarō will share his personal journey toward the innovative manifestation of the corded wear. He weaves and knots mythology, history, and the culture of knowledge acquisition in this presentation, sharing how he uses the processes of “Hawaiian art” to build indigenous leadership capacity in the University of Hawaiʻi System. The intersection of dreams, tradition, innovation, and indigenous wellbeing are driving forces behind his works.

Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō has a few cordage garments displayed in the Hulia ‘Ano: Inspired Patterns exhibit in the J. M. Long Gallery through October 16, 2017.

Listen to “Kana: Invigorating Cord Wear in 21st Century Ceremony” on Spreaker.

The Return of Curiosity: What Museums are Good For in the Twenty-first Century
Professor Nicholas Thomas
Recorded June 21, 2017 in the Hawaiian Hall Atrium

What are museums good for today? What purposes do they serve, and how are they relevant for the millions of visitors, practitioners, researchers, and artists who walk through their doors every year?

Bishop Museum is delighted and honored to welcome Professor Nicholas Thomas for a presentation inspired by his latest book The Return of Curiosity: What Museums are Good For in the Twenty-first Century.

Listen to “The Return of Curiosity: What Museums are Good For in the Twenty-first Century” on Spreaker.

Makahiki: Its Images and Protocols

Recorded November 10, 2016
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture in Hawaiian Hall

The Hawaiian New Year festival, Makahiki, is a unique cultural event celebrated with new awareness, ceremony, peace, and games. Held for approximately four months each year, the celebration honors Lono, the god of fertility, believed to bring prosperity to the islands. Throughout this period, native Hawaiians would participate in sports, games, feasts, and religious ceremonies. War, however, was strictly forbidden.

Combining over 35 years of experience and knowledge in the practice of lua, Umi Kai, Kamilo Lara, and Kaha Toledo, nā olohe of Pā Ku‘i A Lua highlights the powerful imagery and ancient protocol associated with the makahiki season. Listeners will gain a greater understanding of the significance of the makahiki season itself and how it continues to play and important role in Hawai‘i today.

Listen to “Traditions of the Pacific – Makahiki: Its Images and Protocols” on Spreaker.

The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu on the island of Oahu first opened its doors back in 1891. The museum is Hawaii’s preeminent place to discover and learn about Hawaii and Polynesia’s cultural past. There are also engaging, cool hands-on interactive experiences at the museum’s Science Adventure Center.

Join Bishop Museum’s revered historian, Desoto Brown as he talks-story about the museum’s past, present, and future with correspondent Tom Wilmer.

Mahalo to KXCB for use of this audio.

In a second podcast from KCBX Bishop Museum’s historian, DeSoto Brown discusses life in the Territory of Hawai‘i in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. See images here.

TOTP: Expanding the Journey
Recorded Wednesday, September 7, 2016 in Hawaiian Hall
Bishop Museum’s Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series

Evidence of the cultural and scientific significance of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument comes to life in this riveting special edition of Traditions of the Pacific: Expanding the Journey.

Bishop Museum experts share their stories and experiences of research in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands:

Dr. Mara Mulrooney, Director of Cultural Resources will share about her recent expedition to Nihoa in the Monument and about the relevancy of her work the Museum’s cultural collections.

Dr. Norine Yeung, Malacology Researcher and IUCN WCC 2016 Speaker will speak about the role of the Museum in connecting people to nature through cultural heritage and research.

Dr. Richard Pyle, Associate Zoologist will speak about current breakthrough research and discoveries in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and reveal a new species of fish. Dr. Pyle will also touch on the recent headline news of President Obama’s expansion of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

TOTP: Sharing Our Waters
Recorded Thursday, August 18, 2016 in the Planet Shark exhibit, Castle Memorial Building
Bishop Museum’s Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series

Hear exciting shark encounters from three amazing ocean conservationists who share the water with these amazing creatures. Moderated by Dr. Rich Pyle, Bishop Museum associate zoologist and researcher with special guests:

– Kaiwi Berry founder of Island View Hawaii, a pelagic dive tour company
– Jennifer Cole, conservation coordinator at White Shark Africa, white shark research, conservation, education and sightseeing tour programs

The final installment of our three-part Traditions of the Pacific Lecture series on sharks.

Science and Ecology of Sharks with Shark Researcher Dr. Carl Meyer
Recorded on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Atherton Hālau
Bishop Museum’s Traditions of the Pacific Lecture Series

Dr. Carl Meyer’s research focuses on the ecology and management of sharks. He studies the movement patterns, habitat use and trophic ecology of sharks, and their navigational abilities. His research addresses a variety of issues of management concern including impacts of shark ecotourism, shark predation on critically endangered species, effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and impacts of human recreational activities.

Part 2 of a three part Traditions of the Pacific Lecture series on sharks.

Unearthing the Polynesian Past with Dr. Patrick V. Kirch
Recorded April 28, 2016
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture in the Atherton Hālau

For more than half a century, Hawai’i-born and raised archaeologist Patrick Vinton Kirch has explored the Pacific, on expeditions that took him to a score of islands from the Bismarck Archipelago to Easter Island. As a Punahou student, he apprenticed with famed Bishop Museum archaeologist Kenneth Emory at digs on Hawai’i and Maui. In this retrospective talk, Kirch looks back over a half-century of Polynesian archaeology, reflecting on how the questions we ask about the past have changed over the decades, how archaeological methods have advanced, and how our knowledge of the Polynesian past has greatly expanded.

Traditions & Insights in Native Hawaiian Child-Rearing Practices
Dr. Carol Titcomb, MD
Recorded on Thursday, May 21, 2015 in Atherton Hālau

Building on scholarship and knowledge of many sources including writings of Mary Kawena Pukui and discussions with Hawaiian elders, Dr. Carol Titcomb shares findings from her descriptive study about culturally-based child-rearing practices. Dr. Titcomb is a pediatrician who has practiced medicine in Wai‘anae, Waimānalo and Papakōlea. She conducted this study as part of a research fellowship at the University of Hawai‘i, School of Medicine’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health.

Traditional Hawaiian Practices of Hāpai and Hānau
Kai‘ulani Odom and Emerson Kihei Nahale, Kōkua Kalihi Valley
Recorded Thursday, March 5, 2015 in Atherton Hālau

The progression from pre-gestation to birth encompasses an array of physical and metaphysical responsibilities to ensure a pathway of health for child, mother and family. Knowledgeable Native Hawaiian cultural and clinical practitioners will provide insightful perspectives about traditional approaches to pregnancy and child birth and how families can be empowered to incorporate cultural practices into the birthing experience.

Kaʻohinani o Ke Kai: The Bounty of the Sea presented by Sig Zane
Recorded February 7, 2015
A Traditions of the Pacific Lecture in Hawaiian Hall

This Traditions of the Pacific event presented an evening of story, sharing, and aloha that explored the artistic, cultural, and biological expressions of limu and kūpe‘e with artists and cultural practitioners, Sig Zane, and his son, Kuha‘o Zane, from Keaukaha, Hilo, Island of Hawai‘i. Mahalo to the Queen’s Health Systems for their generous support.

The Land of La’amaikahiki: Ancient Hawaiian Life in the Kua’āina of Kahikinui, Maui
presented by Patrick V. Kirch
Recorded May 2, 2014
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in Hawaiian Hall

Kahikinui, on the southeastern slopes of Maui’s Haleakalā, remains one of the last places in the Hawaiian Islands where the landscape of an entire moku is preserved intact. Based on seventeen years of archaeological field research, Prof. Patrick Kirch tells the story of this ‘āina malo’o, part of the greatest continuous zone of dryland planting in the archipelago. Based on his studies of thousands of house sites, heiau, and other vestiges of ancient life, Kirch traces the history of Kahikinui from the first arrival of Polynesians in the eleventh century A.D. to the final abandonment of the land at the end of the nineteenth century.

Observing the sky phenomena is the realm of the kilolani in the discipline of Papahulilani–clouds, winds, sun, stars and moon are among the prominent foci of this discipline. In the traditional Hawaiian world view, these atmospheric elements embody the pantheon of kino akua Hawai’i, and provide a fundamental function in ancestral memory still essential in the modern Hawaiian consciousness. The behavior of these members of the heavenly realm can be tracked across the cycles of day and night, the waxing and waning of the moon, and the procession of the sun in its seasonal arcs over the year. Learning the roughly 30 day moon cycle and the connection of these to the behavior of everything in the living universe around us is the topic of Kalei Nu’uhiwa’s presentation, Kaulana Mahina.

Kukulu Hale Kahiko presented by Kumu Francis “Palani” Sinenci
Recorded February 20, 2014
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

Kukulu Hale Kahiko is the traditional method of building the Hawaiian house. RenownedKuhikuhipu’uone (Master Architect) Francis “Palani” Sinenci of Hale Kuhikuhi gives an insightful and engaging presentation that details the methods of kukulu hale (building house). In addition, Kumu Palani highlights stories of the revival and reinvigoration of related protocols that contribute important elements to this traditional art.

Wao Kanaka: The Hawaiian Pre-contact Ecological Footprint
presented by Dr. Sam ‘Ohu Gon
Recorded January 30, 2014
a Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

Listen to Dr. Sam ‘Ohu Gon, senior scientist and cultural advisor at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai’i, give a thought-provoking lecture on the “footprint” left by the historical Hawaiian culture and its lasting mark on the Islands’ ecosystems. Using archeological modeling and traditional knowledge sources including mo’olelo andoli, he reconstructs the pre-contact Hawaiian world as a series of maps, which unfold the story of the changing islandlandscapes that culminate in the world today.

Lei Ni‘ihau: Forbidden Island Treasures
HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on an exhibition of exquisite Ni’ihau shell lei on view now at the Bishop Museum.

Voyagers of the Sky presented by Robert Shallenberger, Ph.D.
Recorded December 12, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

Listen to renowned conservation biologist and wildlife photographer, Dr. Robert Shallenberger, give an illuminating talk on our fine feathered friends and voyagers of the Hawaiian skies. Two dozen seabird species call Hawai’i home, while ranging widely across the Pacific Ocean and beyond. These birds are finely adapted to their terrestrial, aquatic and aerial environments. This lecture focuses on their natural history and their complex cultural connection with the people who share their home.

Another Legacy of Hawai’i’s Voyaging Chiefs: Models of Successful Leadership
presented by Kēhaunani Abad, Ph.D.
Recorded November 14, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture Atherton Hālau

What might today’s Hawaiian community leaders share in common with Hawai’i’s legendary chiefs? Many aspects of what are considered to be foundational Hawaiian leadership traits stem from the era of voyaging chiefs. Learn how historic circumstances shaped social interactions of leaders past and established successful models of behavior that were emulated in later generations of ali’i. Dr. Abad gives a captivating look into those lessons learned, and how they remain as relevant today as they were long ago.

Hawaiian Fish Hooks: Then and Now presented by G. Umi Kai
Recorded October 17, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

Master Weapon Maker and Hawaiian Artisan, G. Umi Kai, gives an interesting look into the design, materials, and functions of the kahiko makau (ornamental fish hook). In addition, Umi explores how the Hawaiian ancestors crafted their makau in the past, and what tools were used to create the exquisite, cultural objects. By tracing from the past purposes and methods to the designs of today, the role of makau as a functional tool to wearable art is better understood.

The Whare Tapere presented by Jack Gray
Recorded September 12, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

Jack Gray gives a short presentation on the Whare Tapere – Pre-European Pa (Māori village) based houses of entertainment, storytelling and dance. The Whare Tapere fell into disuse during the 19th Century as Māori moved away to larger towns and cities resulting in the loss of these particular forms. Since 2004, an innovative cultural research process by Charles Royal and Orotokare has sought to reimagine these particular arts based on fragments of knowledge that remained, leading to the development and performance of a modern Whare Tapere.

The Settlement of the Pacific and Hawaiian Origins
presented by Patrick V. Kirch, PhD.
Recorded September 21, 2013
Part of the Grand Unveiling of Pacific Hall
in the Castle Memorial Building

Professor Patrick V. Kirch is a foremost expert in the field of Pacific Archaeology. He has carried out archaeological research across the Pacific and his research expertise includes the Lapita expansion, Polynesian origins and settlement, and the development of agricultural intensification and socio-political systems in Oceania. In this lecture, Professor Kirch outlines the current understanding regarding the settlement of the Pacific and Hawaiian origins, which is also the topic of his recent book entitled A Shark Going Inland is My Chief: The Island Civilization of Ancient Hawai’i.

A Society that Self-Destructed? Recent Archaeological Research on Rapa Nui
presented by Mara Mulrooney, Ph.D.
Recorded August 29, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is often portrayed as the locale of a dramatic societal collapse triggered by overpopulation and environmental degradation during the late pre-European contact period (before A.D. 1722). Despite the popularity of this collapse narrative, there is very little solid evidence for it. In this presentation, Dr. Mulrooney shares the results of recent archaeological research into settlement and land use on the island.

Distinguishing between fact and fiction on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Dr. Mulrooney is an Assistant Anthropologist at the Bishop Museum. In an interview with Hawaii Public Radio’s Chris Vandercook, Dr. Mulrooney talks about her archaeological work on Rapa Nui that uncovers evidence about what Rapanui society was like before the first Europeans visited the island on Easter Sunday in 1722.

Mahalo to Hawai’i Public Radio for sharing this audio content with us.

Bishop Museum’s Pacific Hall renovation is the topic of Hawaii Public Radio’s Business of the Arts show with Host Judy Neal. Listen to exhibit team members Historian DeSoto Brown, Project Manager Elizabeth Tatar and Exhibit Designer Dave Kemble talk about how they will present a new perspective on the story of Pacific migration through a multiple of avenues that show how cultures of the Pacific are still alive and functioning today. Pacific Hall will re-open on September 21, 2013.

Mahalo to Hawai’i Public Radio for sharing this audio content with us.

A Young Man and the Stars – Nainoa Thompson presented by Sam Low, Ph.D.
Recorded May 30, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture
Atherton Hālau

Author and producer, Sam Low, Ph.D., gives an insighful lecture covering the traditional Polynesian voyaging techniques employed by the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s President and legendary captain, Nainoa Thompson. Sam’s new book Hawaiki Rising dwells into Nainoa’s process of learning an ancient way of navigating by a world of natural signs. Sam gives first-hand accounts and reads powerful excerpts from his book that complements the amazing life of a living legend.

Bishop Museum zoologist Dr. Ken Longenecker was interviewed recently on Hawai’i Public Radio’s morning show The Conversation.

In case you missed it, we are happy to share it again.

He describes his ongoing work on the east coast of Papua New Guinea, working with native peoples to safegaurd biological resources. Ken and his team have made numerous trips to the Kamiali Biological Resource Station.

Mahalo to Hawai’i Public Radio for sharing this audio content with us.

The Archaeology of Nihoa and Necker Islands:Towards a New Understanding for Hawaiian Pre-Contact History
presented by Dr. Kekuewa Kikiloi
Recorded May 16, 2013
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Atherton Hālau

It has been 90 years since Dr. Kenneth Emory of the Bishop Museum did his ground breaking early work on understanding the mysterious ruins located on the islands of Nihoa and Necker, remotely located to the northwest of the ‘main’ Hawaiian Islands. Dr. Kikiloi’s presentation covered the outcomes of a recent ten year dissertation research project (2002-2012) that sought to further understand the archaeology of these two islands and the context these settlements played in traditional Hawaiian society. It focuses on a period of the late expansion phase (A.D. 1400-1650), when formidable changes were underway in ritual and social organization that ultimately led to the emergence of Hawai‘i as a powerful complex chiefdom. This research demonstrates that over a four hundred year period these remote islands became the central focus of chiefly elites in establishing this area as a ritual center of power.

Japanese Internment in Hawai‘i
Congressional Gold Medal Special Programming
Recorded April 6, 2013
Castle Memorial Building
Panel discussion
Panelists: Ryan Kawamoto, Jane Kuwahara, Brian Niiya, Bill Kaneko
Moderator: Carole Hayashino

In this podcast the panel retraces the little known story of the internment of Japanese-Americans in Hawai`i during World War II and the decades-long struggle for legislative redress.

MIS Veterans Talk Story: The Military Intelligence Service, WWII, and Kaua‘i
Congressional Gold Medal Special Programming
Presented April 14, 2013
Castle Memorial Building
Speakers: Jimmy Kuroiwa, George Arine, Yoshinobu Oshiro, George Shiroma

Veterans from Kaua’i tell of their military service in World War II and after to a visiting group of high school students from Kaua’i in Honolulu for a choral festival. Vets Yoshinobu Oshiro and George Shiroma share songs, stories, poems, and more with the students. Moderated by Jimmy Kuroiwa and George Arine.

Commitment to Education – Panel Discussion
Congressional Gold Medal Special Programming
Presented April 13, 2013
in the Castle Memorial Building
Panelists: Joan Funamura, Charles Kagawa, May Price, Charlotte Unni
Moderator: Ann (Miyake) Mahi (pictured at left)
The story of the Nisei Veterans through the eyes of their children is a compelling legacy to the heroism of these men and how their values impacted the lives of their children. Educators from the Hawaii State Department of Education share their stories of what they learned from their fathers and uncles, the influence it had on their philosophy today and how it serves as an inspiration to future generations.

Reconfiguring the Polynesian Triangle – Evidence of Polynesian Contacts with the Americas
Dr. Lisa Matisoo-Smith
A Traditions of the Pacific lecture in the Castle Memorial Building
Presented April 4, 2013
The Polynesian Triangle is generally defined by the apices of Hawai’i, Rapa Nui and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Evidence is accumulating, however, which indicates that Polynesians continued voyaging eastwards and made multiple contacts with the Americas. Dr. Matisoo-Smith’s talk focused on the latest archaeological, cultural, and biological and genetic data indicating the likely timing and location of Polynesian contacts in the Americas. Dr. Matisoo-Smith is a Professor of Biological Anthropology at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Her research focuses on the biological evidence for better understanding the prehistory of the Pacific.

Okage Sama De: True stories of Hawai‘i Nisei experiences during World War II
presented by Alton Takiyama-Chung

in the Castle Memorial Building
Presented April 2, 2013

Nationally acclaimed storyteller Alton Takiyama-Chung presented true accounts of Nisei soldiers and their families during World War II. Underwritten by the Kazuo and Mary Yamane Family Foundation. This presentation was recorded as part of the exhibition American Heroes: WWII Nisei Soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal.