2015-06-23 Historical-Cultural Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Home

North Kohala Commununity Cultural and Historical Preservation Sub -Committee June 23, 2015 Kapa'au - Kohala Civic Center Present: Faye Yates, Lucy Cipriani, Maydean Bowman, Mamo Shontell, Joellyn Tadio, Lana, Lewis, Kalani Heinicke Mission Statement: "Identify research, register, and document history of Historic sites of North Kohala as well as natural resources that support traditional cultural practices". Practice & share cultural traditions with our community and Youth. From April through June some of us Kupuna practiced riding horseback to prepare to ride with the youth in the "Annual Kamehameha Day Parade" as Pa'u Riders. The Kupuna rode to honor our Elders & ancestors and the youth rode representing each of the Islands as well as honoring the Kupuna. Besides riding practices, each rider had to learn to make their own personal leis as well as leis for their horses. Making the horse leis was very time consuming and labor intensive, truly a learning experience for all. The history of the pa`u dates back to the 1800s following the arrival of the first horses in 1803. Queen Emma was known to ride horseback. Pa'u is a type of culotte or skirt, made of a single piece of fabric, usually nine or 12 yards in length, wrapped around the rider in such a way as to flow over the stirrups and to the ground. The pa`u is held in place with kukui nuts that are twisted inside the fabric, tucked into the waistband for a secure fit. "The pa`u was originally worn as a protective covering to keep a woman's fancy garment from getting soiled on the way to a party or gathering," "Since the early 1900s, Pa'u riders have brought a unique Hawaiian style to floral parades across the state as well as many parades in Cities across the U.S. Mainland. Approx. 15 Kupuna from our community have been working with P&R and Queen Liliuokalani Children's' Trust on Tuesdays & Thursdays during Summer Fun. Children ages 9 and older from Summer Fun have been the participants in this program. Some of the classes included "hands on" experience in stenciling a kihei (cape) or (Kikepa-under one arm, tied over other shoulder), making a (Mini) feather kahili, chanting (oli), hula noho (sitting dance), songs, origami art, kite making, summer rolls & sushi preparation. Submitted by Faye Yates, Chr.