bishop museum

Master Weapon Maker and Hawaiian Artisan, G. Umi Kai, gives an interesting look into the design, materials, and functions of the kahiko makau (ornamental fish hook). In addition, Umi explores how the Hawaiian ancestors crafted their makau in the past, and what tools were used to create the exquisite, cultural objects. By tracing from the past purposes and methods to the designs of today, the role of makau as a functional tool to wearable art is better understood.

Jack Gray gives a short presentation on the Whare Tapere - Pre-European Pa (Māori village) based houses of entertainment, storytelling and dance. The Whare Tapere fell into disuse during the 19th Century as Māori moved away to larger towns and cities resulting in the loss of these particular forms. Since 2004, an innovative cultural research process by Charles Royal and Orotokare has sought to reimagine these particular arts based on fragments of knowledge that remained, leading to the development and performance of a modern Whare Tapere.

As part of the grand unveiling of Pacific Hall, Dr. Patrick Kirch, University of California, Berkeley, explains the current state of archaeologist's understanding of the settlement of the Pacific and of Hawaiʻi.

Dr. Mulrooney is an Assistant Anthropologist at the Bishop Museum. In an interview with Hawaii Public Radio’s Chris Vandercook, Dr. Mulrooney talks about her archaeological work on Rapa Nui that uncovers evidence about what Rapanui society was like before the first Europeans visited the island on Easter Sunday in 1722.

Mahalo to Hawai'i Public Radio for sharing this audio content with us.

Bishop Museum’s Pacific Hall renovation is the topic of Hawaii Public Radio’s Business of the Arts show with Host Judy Neal. Listen to exhibit team members Historian DeSoto Brown, Project Manager Elizabeth Tatar and Exhibit Designer Dave Kemble talk about how they will present a new perspective on the story of Pacific migration through a multiple of avenues that show how cultures of the Pacific are still alive and functioning today. Pacific Hall will re-open on September 21, 2013.

In this episode, Bishop Museum zoologist Dr. Ken Longenecker was interviewed on Hawai‘i Public Radio. He describes his work on the island of Papua New Guinea.

Recorded April 6, 2013 | Castle Memorial Building
Panel discussion
In this podcast the panel retraces the little known story of the internment of Japanese-American in Hawai`i during World War II.
Panelists: Ryan Kawamoto, Jane Kuwahara, Brian Niiya, William Kaneko | Moderator: Carole Hayashino

Veterans from Kaua‘i tell of their military service in World War II and after to a visiting group of high school students from Kaua‘i in Honolulu for a choral festival. Vets Yoshinobu Oshiro and George Shiroma share songs, stories, poems, and more with the students. Moderated by Jimmy Kuroiwa and George Arine.

Saturday, April 13, 2013 Castle Memorial Building
Commitment to Education
Panelists: Joan Funamura, Charles Kagawa, May Price, Charlotte Unni.
Moderator: Ann (Miyake) Mahi
The story of the Nisei Veterans through the eyes of their children is a compelling legacy to the heroism of these men and how their values impacted the lives of their children. Educators from the Hawaii State Department of Education shared their stories of what they learned from their fathers and uncles, the influence it had on their philosophy today and how it serves as an inspiration to future generations.

The Polynesian Triangle is generally defined by the apices of Hawai’i, Rapa Nui and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Evidence is accumulating, however, which indicates that Polynesians continued voyaging eastwards and made multiple contacts with the Americas. Dr. Matisoo-Smith's talk focused on the latest archaeological, cultural, and biological and genetic data indicating the likely timing and location of Polynesian contacts in the Americas.

Dr. Matisoo-Smith is a Professor of Biological Anthropology at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Her research focuses on the biological evidence for better understanding the prehistory of the Pacific.

True stories of Hawai‘i Nisei experiences during World War II.
Presented April 2, 2013
Castle Memorial Building
Nationally acclaimed storyteller Alton Takiyama-Chung presented true accounts of Nisei soldiers and their families during World War II. Alton's presentation and this recording were underwritten by the Kazuo and Mary Yamane Family Foundation. This presentation was recorded as part of the exhibition American Heroes: WWII Nisei Soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal.