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The
Hawaiian people have a rich historical and cultural tradition.
Their values, art, music, gods and legends reach back thousands
of years to ancient Polynesia, where they lived before sailing
to the islands we know as Hawai‘'i.
Recently, there have been efforts to revitalize these traditions
and teach them to young Hawaiians. Hawai'i: Continuing
Traditions looks at ways in which the “"spirit
of the land" lives today, as we explore special places,
where old ways are thriving in the modern world.
Visit a working taro plantation in Maui and an isolated fishing
village on the isalnd of Hawai‘'i. Discover how a small
community in Kaua‘'i creates beautiful shell necklaces,
and voyage back in time on an ancient Polynesian sailing canoe.
Ke’'anae - a lush valley on Maui, where
“Uncle” Harry Mitchell farms taro, the native
Hawaiian staple food. He is a kupuna, or wise elder, who teaches
his grandchildren how to farm and the value of respecting
the land.
Ni’'ihau - a place where ‘'ohana, or family, is
the center of life. Hawaiian is spoken in the homes, and leisure
time is spent on the family project of stringing shells (brought
from Ni'ihau) into beautiful leis (necklaces).
Miloli’'i - a fishing village on the west coast of the
big island of Hawai'i. There are about 17 families residing
in this peaceful village, without electricity or running water.
Their lifestyle has remained unchanged in many ways since
the time of their ancestors.
Hokule'a - a double-hulled voyaging canoe, modeled
after the ancient Polynesian vessels which carried the first
people to the Hawaiian Islands. The canoe has sailed the South
Seas covering the trade and travel routes of the early Polynesians.
The canoe's Hawaiian navigator is guiding the vessel without
the use of a compass or other instruments. He has learned
the ancient methods of wayfinding: reading the sun, stars
and the ocean swells.
Hokule'a has become a symbol of continuing tradition.
It was the canoe that dispersed the Polynesian peoples among
the Pacific Islands hundreds of years ago. Today, Hokule'a,
as she voyages in the South Seas, is unifying people with
a common bond of pride and history.
The film closes on this vision of the Hokule'a,
“returning to the past,” and inspires viewers with
wisdom of Sam Ka'ai, an artist who has voyaged on Hokule'a:
“"Pay attention to your history, it will give you
a sense of belonging. Pay attention to your future, it will
give you a sense of worth."
Produced by
Gail K. Evenari & Lawrence M. Lansburgh |
