Honoring the Past and Looking to the Future During Hawaiian History Month

Board member Eric Matanane and Kawika Lauriano at the park hale. Photo: Courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i

Kalaeloa Heritage Park: A Hidden Gem explores a priceless snapshot of ancient history in West O‘ahu in a special three-part digital exclusive. The park, on land once part of Barber’s Point Naval Air Station, is the living legacy of the late Shad Kane, beloved by many as “Uncle Shad.” His passion and drive to preserve the history and culture of ‘Ewa Moku and Kalaeloa is evident in each step, stone and story documented in this special place, where the first people came ashore on this island.

Kawika Lauriano next to an agricultural sinkhole that was used to grow plants. Photo: Courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i

This original series shares the history of the park and the man who worked tirelessly to care for the land and legacy that lives there and how his teachings and pure aloha motivate future generations to ensure the history and culture that remain there will live on in all who follow in their footsteps.

For the first time in decades, PBS Hawai‘i is sharing a three-part series titled Hawaiians. The series premiered in December of 1987 as a culmination of Ho‘olako: Year of the Hawaiian. The ambitious series chronicles the history of Hawaiians from the voyages of ancient Polynesians who discovered and settled the islands to modern times. It includes the knowledge of revered kūpuna, the findings of studies by renown local scholars, hula, mele and, perhaps most importantly, chants.

Chanters share the story of Hawaiians settling in Hālawa, Moloka‘i. Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Archives

‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian language, went unwritten for more than 1,000 years. Hawaiians remembered and recounted their history through chants, some lasting an entire day. The Time of Ao, part one of the series, emphasizes the significance of chants in every aspect of Hawaiian life. It also extols the creation of ahupua‘a, land management systems and ingenious loko i‘a, fishponds, a sustainable source of food for Hawaiians.

Queen Lili‘uokalani in the early 1900s. Photo: Courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i

Innocence Betrayed, part two, details the effect of Western contact in Hawai‘i, starting with the arrival of Captain James Cook, followed by Christian missionaries and others. The program continues through the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and includes rare footage of Queen Lili‘uokalani in 1915.

Part three, titled Hold Fast, chronicles changes Hawaiians endured once the islands became part of the United States, including suppression of their language. The focus then shifts to the Hawaiian renaissance that continues today, reviving ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, respecting the knowledge of kūpuna and caring for the land, mālama ‘āina.

PBS Hawai‘i is also looking ahead in Kākou: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall. We are bringing Native Hawaiians together for a live conversation about where they go from here and how to get there.

Kalaeloa Heritage Park: A Hidden Gem

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 15 and 29, 9 a.m.

Streaming on pbshawaii.org and YouTube

PBS Hawai‘i Presents: Hawaiians

Thursday, Sept. 3, 10 and 17, 8:30 p.m.

Broadcast and streaming on pbshawaii.org and YouTube

Kākou: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall

Hawaiians: He Ala Hou – A New Way Forward

Thursday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast and streaming on pbshawaii.org and YouTube

SEE ALSO: PBS Hawai‘i Presents A Golden Year for Hōkūle‘a

Every month, HONOLULU publishes a blog written by the folks at PBS Hawai‘i, the only locally owned, statewide television station in Hawai‘i that receives support mainly through donations. Visit pbshawaii.org to learn more about exceptional, locally produced shows and the most prominent provider of educational and national programming. Explore music and the arts, discover in-depth documentaries and learn what makes Hawai‘i so special. Follow PBS Hawai‘i on all platforms: @pbshawaii