Taro grower and Native Hawaiian practitioner Jerry Konanui works to propagate and save from extinction the numerous varieties of kalo (taro), a staple of the Hawaiian diet. Jerry’s mission is also to protect kalo, revered as the elder sibling (Hāloa) of the Hawaiian people, from the risks of genetic engineering.
This video is set to a song, Nā ‘Ono o ka ‘Āina (The Delicacies of the Land), inspired by renowned Hawaiian cultural educator Edith Kanaka‘ole. Written by Kalani Meinecke and George Kahumoku, Jr. and performed by Kekuhi Kanahele and friends, the song praises several kalo varieties for their beauty, taste, fragrance and spiritual significance.
In this video survival guide, Jerry Konanui shares a lifetime of knowledge on identifying kalo varieties, successfully cultivating kalo, and preparing poi. His passion is reflected in the massive turnout of taro growers and taro eaters who converge upon the capitol in Honolulu to proclaim their spiritual connection to this ancestor plant and to oppose any form of genetic modification. They are joined by Native Americans who face their own battles with the genetic engineering of rice and corn. Finally, the same capitol rotunda is filled with the sound of poi pounders as the largest poi-making gathering in history takes place.
NĀ MAKA O KA ʻĀINA
We are Joan Lander and Puhipau (1937-2016) of Nā Maka o ka ‘Āina (“The Eyes of the Land”), an independent video production team that, since 1981, has focused on the land and people of Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
We exist to document and give voice and face to traditional and contemporary Hawaiian culture, history, language, art, music, environment and the politics of independence and sovereignty. Our over 100 documentary and educational programs have been seen on PBS, Hawai‘i public and commercial television stations, public access cable channels, and broadcast/cable networks in Canada, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Japan, Mexico and Europe.
Our award-winning productions have been used by teachers and scholars in classrooms in Hawai‘i and throughout the world, and our iconic footage of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement has been featured in numerous documentaries by other producers.
