“Stories of Kahaluu and Keauhou,” recorded life stories of kupuna who lived there, will be aired this month on Na Leo O Hawaii Channel 53.
The three-part series features kupuna Mitchell Fujisaka and Allen Wall sharing their stories with cultural historian Kepa Maly. Maly gives additional background on the ahupua‘a gleaned from old Hawaiian language newspapers.
Na Leo lists air times as 7:30 p.m. March 10, 9 a.m. March 13, 6:30 p.m. March 15, 7 p.m. March 21, 4:30 p.m. March 23, and 7 p.m. March 27.
The programs were recorded on DVD as part of a Preserve America Grant awarded to The Kohala Center by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in recognition of efforts to preserve the historical and cultural significance of the ahupuaa of Kahaluu and Keauhou.
“It has been a dream of mine to present our kupuna on video and to share their life history,” said Cindi Punihaole, public outreach and volunteer coordinator with The Kohala Center, which manages the Kahaluu Bay Project.
“In this way we are able to continue the heritage of our Hawaiian culture. An important part of our work at The Kohala Center is to understand the culture,” she said. “If you understand the culture you can understand the environment. We are about understanding what was in the past in order to understand where to go. Kupuna guide us to restore the beach and bay at Kahaluu in a rightful and respectful way-the pono way for our children.”
The “Stories of Kahaluu and Keauhou” DVD is available from The Kohala Center or can be viewed at www.kohalacenter.org/kahaluubay/culture.
Leave a Reply