Bishop Museum is proud to partner with the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana to host a series of presentations in honor of their 50th Anniversary and a recommitment to Aloha ʻĀina.

In an act of bold defiance against U.S. military might, George Helm, Emmett Aluli, Kimo Aluli, Kawaipuna Prejean, Walter Ritte, Ian Lind, Ellen Miles, Steve Morse, and Karla Villalba made landfall on the ravaged island of Kahoʻolawe on January 4, 1976. They were determined to draw national attention to the illegal role the U.S. played in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and to protest U.S. military control and destruction of Hawaiian national lands. Their courage and heroism created the catalyst for the formation of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and the birth of the modern Aloha ‘Āina Movement that now celebrates 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina. In conjunction with the maiden voyages of Hōkūleʻa in 1976, the value and practice of aloha ʻāina forwarded by the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana fundamentally changed the perception of what it means to be Kanaka Maoli.

Guided by the ʻōlelo noʻeau from the Kuloloio ʻohana — “Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa” — we gather for three talk story sessions that explore the ways in which Kahoʻolawe teaches us how to consecrate, sustain, and solidify our relationship to ʻāina. The three presentations lead into a culminating concert on Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn celebrating the release of the “50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina” Music Album. The concert will feature artists and musicians who have created mele inspired by Kahoʻolawe. The album includes artists such as Keahi Piʻiʻōhiʻa, Pōkiʻi Seto, Kiliona Young, Kaʻikena Scanlan, Kimié Miner, Ikaakamai, Kekuhi Kanahele, and Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole.