Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 3, 1 March 1992 — Apprentices wanted for Gourd project [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Apprentices wanted for Gourd project

In the past, Hawaiians, having no pottery, used gourds for a multitude of purposes, and seem to have more varieties than any other culture. Gourds were used for medical purposes, containers, storage, food preparation, paint and dyes, water containers, fishing purposes, burial, musical instruments, dippers, eating utensils, and more. Due to disease, Ioss of growing areas and disuse, many people today have not seen a gourd vine growing, whieh is similar to a squash, and often think gourds grow on a tree. Bruce Ka'imiloa Chrisman, M.D. has been working to resurrect nearly extinct Hawaiian gourds for the past nine years and has obtained or cross-bred about 17 of the over 100-or-more varieties whieh Hawaiians used "i ka wa kahiko." He also has done a number of presentations on gourds and has done considerable work on the unique Hawaiian decorated gourds (ipu pawehe). For the next 12 months, he will coordinate a research project on the Big Island with these two types of gourds, through a grant from the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program. Seven apprentices will be needed. Eaeh must own or have access to a protected and relatively nearby growing area of 1/4 acre (11,000 sq. ft.) or more — preferably two of

these areas. The best sites are sunny, but with good rainfall or irrigation in the first several months of the late fall-through-spring growing season. Areas below 1,500 feet elevation are best, and in wind-shielded or leeward sites. Sandy-loamy soil is preferred, but crushed lava will work also. The spreading vines need a significant amount of room in whieh to grow if large gourds are wanted. During the program-year, apprentices will be taught a great deal about how to grow Hawaiian gourds, the types, and uses, and proper preparation techniques both ancient and modern. They will need to keep basic records of their cultivation and results, and complete several rather simple evaluations of the research and teaching program during the year. Time needed will average approximately four hours per week. Most expenses for land clearing, irrigation, fertilizer, and other program related costs will probably be reimbursed. This is a project for serious apprentices who value Hawaiian culture and the restoration of lost arts and cultural materials. It is not for the backyard gardener. Adult apprentices on the Big Island who wish to apply should describe themselves and why they want to be a part of the project, any past experience with vegetable-growing or farming, any Hawaiian culture/craft experience, and

especially the land where they will be able to grow gourds — specifically the district, location, approximate elevation and rainfall, soil type (loamy, sandy, or lava), and how the growing gourds would be protected from injury by livestock, people, wind, etc. (Written permission of the owners of public or private land used will be necessary if accepted.) Send this information by April 1 along with an address and phone number, to: Bruce Ka'imiloa Chrisman, M.D., 1210 Laukahi St., Honolulu, Hawai'i 96821.

Dr. Bruce Ka'imiloa Chrisman