Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 6, 1 June 2017 — Aloha mai kakou, [ARTICLE]

Aloha mai kakou,

OHA is proud to announee the formal inauguration of its Nā Mamo Makamae o Ka Po'e Hawai'i: Living Treasures of the Hawaiian People on June 12, Kamehameha Day. This community-driven event will honor five living master practitioners and knowledge keepers, along wfith two posthumous members who are living in our memories. They are: Patience Nāmaka Bacon of O'ahu -for hula Josephine Fergerstrom of Hawai'i Island -for lauhala weaving Sam Ka'ai of Maui -for carving Marie McDonald of Hawai'i Island - for lei making and kapa making Nainoa 1hompson of O'ahu -for navigating The two posthumous awards are awarded to: Elizabeth Malu'ihi Ako Lee of Hawai'i Island -for lauhala weaving Abraham "Puhipau" Ahmad of Hawai'i Island - for videography, documentary These Treasures were nominated and selected by a group of cultural experts and practitioners. OHA is collaborating with PA'I Foundation in the spirit of kākou to honor these recipients to produce this inaugural and important ho'omau event at Pōmaika'i Ballrooms at Dole Cannety„ While other organizations honor living treasures, Hawaiian organizations haven't had their own program to honor our kūpuna and esteemed elders. "They are not just keepers of the flame, they are the connection and bridge to our past," said OHA Ka Pouhana (CEO) Kamana'opono Crabbe. "The more we learn from our kūpuna and apply what we learn from them, the more we maintain that bond with our ancestors, our homeland, and our identity as kanaka 'ōiwi." PA'I Foundation Executive Director Victoria Holt Takamine said, "The PA'I Foundation is pleased to provide partnership support to this important event, whieh aligns well with the PA'I Foundation mission of preserving and protecting Native Hawaiian culture and arts for future generations."

Nā Mamo Makamae o Ka Po'e Hawai'i: Living Treasures of the Hawaiian People