Traditions of the Pacific Lecture/Field Trip Series
May Events Announced
Bishop Museum’s Traditions of the Pacific educational program, supported in part by Outrigger Reef on the Beach,will present a lecture and field trip on Polynesian voyaging and canoe building in May as follows:
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC – Lecture with Dr. Isabella A. Abbott
Canoe Plants: The Early Immigrants
Lecture: Atherton Hālau; 6:30 to 8 p.m., May 17, 2007
Admission: $5 and Free to Members
Supported in Part by Outrigger Reef on the Beach
Join Dr. Isabella A. Abbott, internationally known ethnobotanist, as she presents a collection of early immigrant plants, such as kalo (taro),‘uala (sweet potato),‘ulu (breadfruit), and uhi (yam) –plant species that were introduced by the first Polynesian settlers. Find out the origins of these plant species that were introduced to Hawai‘i hundreds of years ago.
Discover how these early settlers used their plants as a resource to maintain their lifestyles according to elaborate, religious systems of prohibitions and ranks. Also learn how they used these plants as basic survival necessities -- the various uses of each plant, its purpose and what each represented.
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC – Workshop – “Hau” to Make Cordage
Workshop: Bowman Hālau Wa‘a ~ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; May 19, 2007
Admission Fee: $25 Members/$40 Non-Members -- Includes Materials
Supported in Part by Outrigger Reef on the Beach
First among the Hawaiians’ cordage resources was an endemic forest plant, olonā, which Hawaiians discovered would furnish a cordage that was strong, light, durable and had great resistance to water. Olonā was a highly valued item and was considered the cordage of choice.
Hawaiians classed all cordage made from the husk of niu (coconut) as ‘aha. The thickness of its fibers gives ‘aha an elasticity that enables it to withstand sudden stresses. Like the olonā, it is similarly water resistant but was more easily manufactured.
Hau is found and used throughout tropical and subtropical Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia and is held in high regard for its usefulness to the traditional life of oceanic people. Hau cordage provided ropes for hauling and many other needs: slings, canoe lashing, strings for bows, net bags, carrying handles for water-gourds, fasteners for lauhala baskets, and strands for lei making to name a few. Unlike ‘aha or olonā cordage, ili hau could be made with little or no training.
Join Gordon Umi Kai and Ken Keola Ching, Hawaiian Cultural Practitioners, as they lead this “Hau” to Make Cordage Workshop, which will focus on the process of creating Hau into ‘ili hau (hau cordage). You will get a basic, hands-on experience of forming hau into simple tying material.
Seating for both programs is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to reserve/purchase seats in advance, please call 808.848.4172; or email shirley.amundson@bishopmuseum.org.
These presentations are offered in the 2007 line-up of the Traditions of the Pacific educational series sponsored by the Bishop Museum Association Council and supported in part by Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Traditions of the Pacific is an ongoing program that highlights the cultural heritage and natural science of Hawai‘i, Asia, and the Pacific through stories, fieldtrips, lectures, and workshops. The popular program began in 1991 and will continue through 2007. The program is free to Bishop Museum members.
For more information about Traditions of the Pacific, call 808.847.3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org .
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