Kū-A-Kanaka: Educated Modern Hawaiian Women

Presenters: Dr. Kū Kahakalau, ʻIʻinimaikalani Kahakalau, Pōlanimakamae Kahakalau

This presentation explores how a family of modern Hawaiian women practitioners on Hawai’i Island exhibit being Hawaiian, expressed as “kū-a-kanaka” in Hawaiian.  Topics include daily protocol and cultural practices, with a special focus on female ceremonies and rituals, personal values and interests, use of Hawaiian language, metaphors, oli and pule in daily communication, diet and health practices, childcare and education and more.  This presentation will be of interest to women who want to intensify their knowledge and use of Hawaiian language and cultural practices and live the way of a modern Hawaiian woman educated in the ways of the past and the ways of the future.

About ʻAha Wahine

On February 4, 2012, more than 300 Native Hawaiian women gathered to inspire, inquire, invest, and invigorate each other with ʻike, aloha, and kuleana. Presentations by highly regarded experts covered topics that concerned our ancestral gods, our modern day leaders, health issues that are unique to us, and economic issues that affect us. This gathering was an opportunity to garner ideas for the larger ʻAha Wahine that will happen in August 2011.

More information about the upcoming August conference can be found at www.ahawahine.org.