Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 9, 1 September 1987 — Makaku [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Makaku

By Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo 'Ehu Jensen

During the month of August, Hale Naua III sponsored a one man show at Ramsay's Chinatown Gallery, featuring the works of A.C. Kahekiliuila Lagunero. The small eolleehon of mixed media works are Al's eommemorative to the "Year of the Hawaiian." His watercolors are a testimony to the cosmogenic spirituality experienced and expressed through his Hawaiianess. In

the last six months A1 has traveled to Chile and Arizona and has had the opportunity to share and compare our esoteric philosophy with that of the Hopi, Tibetans and Aborigines. The art works are an example of the oneness shared by all third world cultures and a peek into Kahekiliuila's intimate relationship with the 'aina, moana and akua. Congratulations are in order for A1 is the recipient of two major awards — the coveted Pele Award for his magnificent creation of the Maui Marriott menus and also two purchase awards from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Another exhibit produced by the Hale Naua for the "Year of the Hawaiian" will be my own touring one man show, "Legacy Unbroken." In cooperation with Leeward Community College, I will participate in the opening of their artistic season Sept. 8-23 with a display of ancestral images in feather, wood and stone. Hale Naua has also introduced the prospects of renaming the Leeward Foyer Gallery to one that better depicts the essence upon whieh the Ewa educational structure rests. In remembrance of the late Sammy Amalu (Samuel Crowningburg Amalu) we suggested naming the small room Kakuhihewa, after the 16th century

• chief of O'ahu. O'ahu-a-Kakuhihewa is the soubriquet that is dedicated to the memory of a man who was instrumental in developing O'ahu, socially, eeonomicalIy and artistically. During this period O'ahu was in her "golden era," superior to all the other islands of the ehain. Historically, Kakuhihewa's court encouraged all facets of the high arts and it was a!so the gathering

plaee for the most proficient to display their prodigious mental and physical skills in oration, riddling dance and athletics. Kakuhihewa Gallery! I realize that some will have more difficulty than others in pronouncing the name. However, with patience, the Hawaiian sounds will roll off the tongue in a fluid fashion. KA-KU-HI-HE-WA! Perhaps with these small mohai aloha we ean perpetuate the memory of the people who contributed most to our existence on this planet.

Today we have gone beyond the stone and wood of yesteryear — onward to western mediums: oils, acrylics, drawings, ceramics, photography — etc. Our modern day people have survived because of their adaptability and adoptabi!ity. We have adopted the non-native techniques to continue to communicate our story. Our

ancient truths still apply to those works of art as well. Ancestors are recalled! With every work, we kaulana their names. With every history depicted in paint or peneil, the philosophy of our ancient race is explained. This is the reason for our talent — this is the reason for our artistic endeavors — this is the reason that we continue. MAI KA PO MAI KA 'OIA'I'O! Truth is before time!

Al Kahekiliula Lagunero's "Kanaloa."

"Kou" by Rocky K. Jensen.