June 28, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
BISHOP MUSEUM’S TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC EXPLORES THE LIVING AHUPUA‘A
HONOLULU – In ancient Hawaiian times, the konohiki (caretaker) managed a section of land from the mountains to the sea, referred to as the ahupua’a. This unique conservation system prevented exploitation, pollution and extinction of plants, animals, and marine species while allowing the people to take what they needed for sustenance.
The ahupua’a and other land divisions will be the focus of this quarter’s Traditions of the Pacific program at Bishop Museum . The two-day program features a presentation by a panel of speakers at Bishop Museum on Thursday, July 27 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. , followed by a field trip on Saturday, July 29 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Archaeologist Maria Orr and historian Nanette Napoleon will discuss the various traditional Hawaiian land divisions, including moku, ahupua’a, ‘ili, lele, koele, and kihapai. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on how modern day konohiki can preserve today’s living ahupua’a, including O’ahu’s Waimea and Wai’anae Valleys and Waipi’o Valley on the Big Island . The panel includes Joe Kennedy of Archaeological Consultants of the Pacific, Eric Enos of Ka’ala Learning Center and Bishop Museum ’s Tom Cummings.
The two-day program concludes with a field trip to the Ka’ala Farm and Cultural Learning Center located in Wai’anae . The guided tour includes a close-up view of a lo’i kalo (taro patch) and other natural and man-made cultural features of the area.
The presentation general admission fee is $5 and free for Bishop Museum members. The field trip general admission fee is $15 and $10 for Bishop Museum members. Seating is limited and reservations are required for both sessions. For reservations or more information, call 848-4157. Traditions of the Pacific is a quarterly program that highlights the cultural and natural science heritage of Hawai‘i, Asia , and the Pacific through stories, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops.
With nearly 400,000 visitors each year, Bishop Museum serves as one of Hawai‘i’s top destinations, providing hands-on educational experiences to help residents and visitors appreciate and embrace Hawai‘i’s rich culture. By combining education, history and culture, the Museum strives to fulfill its mission set with its founding in 1889, “to study, preserve and tell the stories of the cultures and natural history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific.” 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, plus 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 .