February 24, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NĀ AKUA WAHINE: CELEBRATING THE FEMALE GODS OF HAWAI`I NEI OPENS MARCH 12 AT BISHOP MUSEUM

HONOLULU – Coinciding with Women’s History Month, Bishop Museum will open “Nā Akua Wahine: Celebrating the Female Gods of Hawai‘i Nei” on March 12, 2005. A free public opening will be held on Friday evening, March 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. The exhibit will be on display through fall 2005.

Created to honor female deities, “Nā Akua Wahine” will feature rare female ‘aumakua images, as well as kapa and kapa-making implements -- all of which are associated with goddess activities. Included will be stories and images of Pō‘ele (goddess of the deep, dark night), Papahānaumoku (earth mother goddess), Ho‘ohōkūkalani (goddess of the stars), Haumea (goddess of fertility and childbirth), Nāmakaokaha‘i (goddess of oceans), Pelehonuamea (goddess of volcanoes), and Hi‘iakaikapoliopele (goddess of hula dancers). Complimenting the exhibit are works by accomplished Hawaiian artists, such as Bernice Akamine, Ipo Nihipali, Meleana Aluli Meyer, Moana Eisele, Puni Kukahiko, Keith Kupihea Romero, and Rocky Jensen.

"As the Kau Wela season begins, as the earth heats, and Kū rises once again, we are reminded that where there is Kū, there is also Hina. Fundamental in Hawaiian thought is the principle of balance between male and female, light and dark, night and day,” said Project Manager Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu. “This exhibit thus celebrates the female part of this equation. Through the works of contemporary native artists, we are able to explore these female akua, in all their magnificence and complexity."

“Nā Akua Wahine”is based on the book, Akua Hawai‘i, written by Hawaiian author and educator Kimo Armitage and illustrated by Hawaiian visual artist Sol Enos. The book describes more than 30 Hawaiian deities, and is scheduled for release by Bishop Museum Press in April 2005.

A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years, special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.