Honolulu, Hawaiʻi — Bishop Museum, the State of Hawai‘i Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is proud to partner with the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (PKO) to host a series of presentations in honor of PKO’s 50th Anniversary and a recommitment to Aloha ʻĀina (love and care for the land).

Guided by the ʻōlelo noʻeau (traditional proverbs and wise sayings) from the Kuloloio ʻohana — “Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa” — the Museum invites the community to gather for three talk story sessions that explore the ways in which Kahoʻolawe teaches us how to consecrate, sustain, 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, such as Keahi Piʻiʻōhiʻa, Pōkiʻi Seto, Kiliona Young, Kaʻikena Scanlan, Kimié Miner, and Ikaakamai Nahuʻewai.

“It is an honor for the Museum to celebrate 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina with the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana,” said Taylour Chang, Bishop Museum director of public programs and community engagement. “We are excited to see the celebrations activate the entire Museum campus throughout the next three months, to include talk story sessions, live music on the Great Lawn, a silent auction, educational booths for all ages, ‘Ahahui o Nā Kauka health screenings, and a new exhibit display. Kanaloa ka Laʻa o Kohemālamalama: Unconquerable is the Divinity of Kohemālamalama, co-curated by Curator of Archaeology Dr. Pūlama Lima and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, is a new display on the third floor of Hawaiian Hall and serves as an important evolution of the Museum’s honoring of the living legacy that is Kahoʻolawe. Please join us as we all collectively recommitment to Aloha ʻĀina into the next 50 years and beyond.”

Laʻa: Consecration of Aloha ʻĀina in ʻAha

• Thursday, September 24, 2026
• 5–8 p.m.
• Hawaiian Hall | Kai Ākea
• Free admission

 

Making Laʻa is the first step in any successful kanaka (Hawaiian) endeavor. Appealing to the akua (gods) and kūpuna (ancestors) is essential to all major tasks that a kanaka takes. Because they are our sources of mana (strength), we recognize that it is only with their support and aloha that our tasks will be meaningfully fulfilled. Our panel explores the moʻolelo (story) of making and being laʻa (sacred) on Kahoʻolawe. We will also trace how the spirit of laʻa has branched out to inspire an aloha ʻāina that places its faith in our akua across our pae moku (archipelago).

This program celebrates the opening of Kanaloa ka Laʻa o Kohemālamalama: Unconquerable is the Divinity of Kohemālamalama, a new Treasure Case display on the third floor of Hawaiian Hall, that illustrates the continuity of laʻa (sanctity) and its kapu (sacred commands) on Kanaloa, Kohemālamalama, Kahoʻolawe.

Panelists include:

• Luana Busby-Neff
• Kaliko Baker
• Huihui Kanahele Mossman and Kalā Mossman
• Moderated by Kaipulaumakaniolono Keala

 

Light food and drink provided by Aunty Tammy Smith from Hale Kealoha.

Maʻa: Establishing our Pilina to Kanaloa

• Thursday, October 22, 2026
• 6-8 p.m.
• Hawaiian Hall | Kai Ākea
• Free admission

 

Rooted in the understanding that we are called to be maʻa (accustomed) to this new position as kānaka in service of our ʻāina and akua, this panel brings together long-standing Kua (backbone) of the ʻOhana to reflect on how pilina (connection), kuleana (responsibility), and embodied practice shape our identity and responsibilities today. Panelists will share how repeated, intentional engagement with Kanaloa cultivates a grounded, generational commitment to stewardship and balance. Together, they consider how service becomes a way of being — one that restores connection, strengthens community, and aligns us with the forces that sustain life.

Panelists include:

• CJ Elizares
• Momi Wheeler
• ʻĀnela Evans
• Moderated by Arianne Chock.

 

Paʻa: Kanaloa kānaka i Kanaloa: Ea aʻe ka ʻOhana

• Thursday, November 12, 2026
• 6–8 p.m.
• Hawaiian Hall | Kai Ākea
• Free admission

 

Kanaloa, in addition to being an akua, also means to be unconquerable and immovable. In keeping with the motto of PKO’s 50th anniversary, this panel discusses how becoming maʻa (accustomed) to what is laʻa (sacred) is what makes us paʻa (solid) as a lāhui (people). This longstanding belief of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana is the kahua (foundation) upon which we discuss the question, “What does Kohemālamalama enable us to do and become as a lāhui? How do we extend the mana of Kanaloa to affirm our ea (independence) today?”

Panelists include:

• Kaulu Luʻuwai
• Craig Neff
• Davis Price
• Moderated by Kaipulaumakaniolono Keala

 

50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina Concert and Celebration: Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa!

• Friday, November 13, 2026
• 5-9 p.m.
• Great Lawn, Campuswide event

 

The “Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa” presentations lead into a culminating celebration on the Museum’s Great Lawn, a gathering that recommits us to the essential value and ethic of aloha ʻāina. The ʻOhana and the Museum are excited to convene many of our aloha ʻāina partner organizations meeting the challenges facing aloha ʻāina today. Partners include organizations protecting Hawaiʻi’s public lands facing expiring military leases.

Featured artists include Keahi Piʻiʻōhiʻa, Pōkiʻi Seto, Kiliona Young, Kaʻikena Scanlan, Kimié Miner and Ikaakamai Nahuʻewai, all of whom are featured on the ʻOhana’s “50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina” music album that champions the time-honored message of aloha ʻāina for the generations to come.

Proceeds from the concert will go directly to the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana:

• $35.00 General Adults (18+)
• $10.00 ʻŌpio (Ages 11-17)
• $10.00 Kūpuna (65 years and older)
• FREE for Keiki (Ages 10 and below)

 

“Our Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana calls upon everyone who feels drawn to the message of Aloha ʻĀina, whether or not you have been to Kahoʻolawe, to come out and celebrate the 50th anniversary with us!” said Kaipulaumakaniolono Keala. “And if you have been to the island, this event will be a time to reconnect and share memories. We look forward to seeing our Lāhui there!”

Additional details and ticket information for these public programs can be found on the Museum’s website, BishopMuseum.org/PKO.

Bishop Museum expresses its appreciation for the Atherton Family Foundation, Hawaiian Airlines, and Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu for their support of these programs.