Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa: Celebrating 50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina With the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana

Bishop Museum is proud to partner with the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana to host a series of presentations in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the landing of the "Kahoʻolawe Nine" at Kūheʻeia on the island of Kahoʻolawe.

In an act of bold defiance against U.S. military might, George Helm, Emmett Aluli, Kimo Aluli, Kawaipuna Prejean, Walter Ritte, Ian Lind, Ellen Miles, Steve Morse, and Karla Villalba made landfall on the ravaged island of Kahoʻolawe. They were determined to draw national attention to the illegal role the U.S. played in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and to protest U.S. military control and destruction of Hawaiian national lands. Their courage and heroism created the catalyst for the formation of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and the birth of the modern Aloha ‘Āina Movement that now celebrates 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina.

Guided by the ʻōlelo noʻeau from the Kuloloio ʻohana — “Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa” — we gather for three talk story sessions that explore the ways in which Kahoʻolawe teaches us how to consecrate, familiarize, and solidify our relationship to ʻāina. The three presentations lead into a culminating concert on Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn celebrating the release of the “50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina” Music Album. The concert will feature artists and musicians who have created mele inspired by Kahoʻolawe, including Keahi Piʻiʻōhiʻa, Pōkiʻi Seto, Kiliona Young, Kaʻikena Scanlan, Kimié Miner, Ikaakamai, Kekuhi Kanahele, and Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole.

This sponsorship request is to support only the three talk story sessions that are planned.