When I step foot in the “Nā Akua Ākea, the Vast and Numerous Deities” exhibit at Hale Hōʻikeʻike, a powerful rush of mana both ancient and modern envelops me. The 11 kiʻi look back at me while I stare in awe of these beautiful pieces of craftsmanship. This is the climactic point of a year’s […]
History
‘Cravalho Was Sending Cops Around!’ – Newly released FBI files shed light on how Maui Mayor Elmer Cravalho wielded power against the press
New documents obtained from the National Archives shed new light on former Maui Mayor Elmer Cravalho – and his high-handed use of power when challenged by the media. The documents, 78 pages of files from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, were finally released by the National Archives in late October, more than two years after […]
Road to Pearl Harbor exhibit opens at Story of Hawai‘i Museum
A new World War II exhibit marking the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into the war opened Nov. 1 at the Story of Hawai‘i Museum in Lahaina. “The Road to Pearl Harbor” is an interactive exhibit presented in a “fresh and timely” manner using vintage maps, prints, artifacts, military […]
Recognize Filipino-American History Month by supporting Sheraton Maui workers on strike
October is Filipino-American History Month, and that means more than just competing in the annual balut eating contest. On Oct. 1, Mayor Arakawa, the County of Maui, and the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce kicked off the month by raising the Filipino flag at the county building. Several restaurants provided food for the public in […]
Drew Toonz: Emo Cat sips on sarcopha-juice
Illustration by Andrew Miller
La Hoihoi Ea: Talking story at Sovereignty Restoration Day
About a month after Americans honor the Fourth of July, a lesser-known historical day comes around that also celebrates independence. Called La Hoihoi Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day, and honored on Jul. 31, the holiday remembers a time before American occupation of Hawai‘i. In February of 1843, after complaints from British living in Honolulu, Lord […]
Happy Independence Day?
Before he left, our former editor Anthony Pignataro gave me this advice: Follow more people on Twitter. He said he’d been intentionally doing this for the last year or two, following accounts from active Native Hawaiians, people of color, women, and other marginalized voices, and that the diversity of their perspectives influenced his views on […]
Dr. Willy Kauai talks Hawaiian nationality
On Thursday, Jun. 21, Dr. Willy Kauai, Director of Native Hawaiian Student Services at UH Manoa, will speak at the Na‘aikane O Maui Cultural Center in Lahaina as part of the HK West Maui Speaker Series. He’ll talk about his research on nationality in the Hawaiian Kingdom. “When people talk about the term ‘Hawaiian,’ usually […]
Maui’s Story of Hawai`i Museum getting Travel Channel exposure in May
The Story of Hawai‘i Museum at the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center is getting some big publicity this month. On Thursday, May 17, the Travel Channel show Mysteries at the Museum will air a segment on the museum’s steel guitar exhibit (which we wrote about in this April 4, 2018 story). “I’m part of the narration in […]
Loyalty, Courage, Sacrifice: 442nd Story Exhibit at Nisei Veterans Memorial Center
You can see the new “Loyalty, Courage Sacrifice: 442nd Story” exhibit at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center through Friday, Aug. 24. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of the most highly decorated units in the U.S. military during World War II. See rotating displays and memorabilia […]
Queen Lili`uokalani inspires Indigenous writers, but she can also help Americans
Quite possibly the most moving thing a person new to Hawai‘i can do is fly over to Oahu, head to Iolani Palace, put on those special foot booties the docents give people so their shoes don’t muck up the floors, then visit to the Quilt Room. This, which for obvious reasons is also known as […]
Internment: Stories from Maui exhibit at Nisei Veterans Memorial Center
You can see the exhibit “Internment: Stories from Maui” at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center through Friday, Feb. 23. In early 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans. Approximately 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry were interned during the war. The exhibit will feature personal stories, photographs and information on the two locations on […]
Book Signing with Julie Checkoway at Barnes and Noble in Lahaina
Julie Checkoway will finally do a Maui book-signing for her book The Three Year Swim Club on Saturday, Nov. 18. Hosted by the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center at Barnes & Noble in Lahaina, Checkoway will talk story about Maui’s sugar ditch kids, Coach Soichi Sakamoto and their quest for Olympic glory. Learn how a group of […]
‘Romance of the Skies’ – Finding family history in a mysterious 60-year-old plane crash
Even 60 years after her brother’s death, Jean Pinataro still cries when she talks about Albert. Plane crash victims are always mourned, but especially so in Albert’s case, where both the cause of the crash remains officially unsolved and his body never recovered. The crash of Pan Am Flight 7 on Nov. 8, 1957 is […]
Maui Sugar Museum in Puunene needs volunteers
The Museum Education Program at the Sugar Museum needs volunteers. The opportunity is available until May 31, 2018. The Sugar Museum want to recruit local Maui residents to be tour guides (docents) for its education program, which takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:30am. Free. 9:30am. Sugar Museum, (3957 Hansen Rd., Pu`unene); 808-871-8058; Sugarmuseum.com Photo courtesy of […]
Free old, possibly haunted piano in Wailuku!
Hey, if you’re interested there’s a free piano located in an alley in Wailuku Town. No fooling. Last time I checked (2pm on Wednesday, July 26 to be exact), the piano was sitting there all by its lonesome. The piano’s nameplate indicates that it’s a Valley Gem, manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio. Though there doesn’t seem […]