Preserving a vital ‘Ōiwi archive for future generations
Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina Cataloging and Public Programming Partnership is dedicated to increased access and preservation of Hawaiʻi’s stories from NMOKA’s moving-image collection.
Since 1974, Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina, an independent video production team founded by Joan Lander and Puhipau, has been dedicated to perpetuating and documenting the land and people of Hawai‘i. For over fourty years NMOKA gathered voices and images of traditional/contemporary Hawaiian culture, history, language, art, music, dance, environment, and the politics of independence/sovereignty, leaving a vital ʻŌiwi archive for future generations. In 2020, NMOKA began collaborating with Puʻuhonua Society to continue cataloging, and making accessible this moving-image collection of 8,000 video tapes.
We are currently focused on presenting a screening series around a collection of tapes associated with NMOKA’s documentary Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi. Released in 1992, with producer, Nalani Minton, Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi documents Native Hawaiian systems of land use and resource management across six of the major Hawaiian Islands— O‘ahu, Lāna‘i, Maui, Molokai, Hawai‘i, and Kaua‘i. On each island the team gathered oral histories of kūpuna and kupaʻāina speaking to Hawaiian aquaculture and agriculture practices. By the end of their journey, Joan Lander and Puhipau had recorded over 86 hours of footage. Eventually, this invaluable content was edited down to a 90-minute program. The unedited footage continues to be cared for by Joan, making up a small portion of their collection.
Given the vital cultural knowledge recorded in Ahupua‘a, Fishponds and Lo‘i, the Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina Cataloging and Public Programming Partnership is organizing a traveling screening series across ka paeʻāina. It is our hope to bring the ‘ike shared in the tapes back into the communities from which they originated. More to come!
For the latest, follow Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina on Instagram @hoomau_na_maka_o_ka_aina
We are currently focused on presenting an exhibition and screening series around a collection of tapes associated with NMOKA’s documentary Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi. Released in 1992 with producer, Nalani Minton, Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi documents Native Hawaiian systems of land use and resource management across six Hawaiian Islands — O‘ahu, Lāna‘i, Maui, Molokai, Hawai‘i, and Kaua‘i. On each island, the team gathered oral histories from kūpuna and kupaʻāina speaking about Hawaiian aquaculture and agriculture practices. By the end of their journey, Joan Lander and Puhipau had recorded more than 86 hours of footage. Eventually, this invaluable content was edited down to a 90-minute program. The unedited footage continues to be cared for by Joan, making up a small portion of their collection. Through the individual and collective stories gathered in the Hoʻomana collection, we come to understand more fully, the backbone of malama ʻāina and aloha ʻāina today. It is our hope to bring the ‘ike shared in the tapes back into the communities from which they originated.
To learn more about Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina, click on the image on the left to download a narrative sheet describing the background of the project.
Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi: Maui
October 5, 2024
Ala Kukui, 4224 Hana Hwy, HI 96713
5pm Opening Reception, 6 - 8pm Film Screening and Discussion
The second iteration of this ongoing project, Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi: Maui honors kūpuna, kupaʻāina, and makaʻāinana who share their ʻike around loʻi kalo, loko iʻa, and storied places in various ahupuaʻa on the island of Maui.
Please join us October 4, 2024 for an opening reception, film screening, and discussion in collaboration with Ala Kukui, a non-profit organization that hosts cultural programs, workshops and events for the local Hāna community. The screening will present never before seen footage featuring Uncle Parley Kanakaʻole and Marion Kelly recorded in Hāna during the making of Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi. A talk story will follow the film program with Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina co-director, Joan Lander, Ala Kukui Executive Director and daughter of Parley Kanakaʻole, Kauʻi Kanakaʻole, and community members. Please let us know you’re coming by sending an email to emma@puuhonua-society.org or leaving a message with the Ala Kukui office staff at (808)248-7841.
If you have not seen the edited Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi film before or could use a refresher, please enjoy a free-viewing here: vimeo.com/57394037
We look forward to gathering again, as our kūpuna always have, sharing ʻai pono, remembering and envisioning what once was and what will be.
Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi: Oʻahu
October 6, 2023 – January 12, 2024
Koa Gallery, Kapiʻolani Community College
Tuesday - Friday, 11am to 3pm, and by appointment
This exhibition is now closed. However, Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀinaʻs resource desk of searchable transcripts and digitized tapes are still accessible on the 2nd floor of Native Books and The Living Library at KEY Project.
The work continues as Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina, a partnership between Puʻuhonua Society and Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina, breathes new life and makes publicly accessible the invaluable ʻike kūpuna housed in their collection. After three years of digitizing materials associated with NMOKAʻs 1992 film Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Lo’i, Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina has organized an ongoing exhibition and screening series presenting unseen video and transcripts. Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi: Oʻahu features kūpuna, kupaʻāina, and makaʻāinana speaking about loʻi kalo, loko iʻa, and storied places in various ahupuaʻa on the island of Oʻahu.
July 7 – August 28, 2023
Arts & Letters Gallery
1164 Nuʻuanu Ave | Chinatown
This exhibition is now closed. However, Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀinaʻs resource desk of searchable transcripts and digitized tapes are still accessible on the 2nd floor of Native Books and The Living Library at KEY Project.
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
August 25, 2023 | 5pm-8pm
KEY Project
47-200 Waihee Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744
In partnership with Pu’uhonua Society, KEY Project and its Living Library hosts a screening of unedited footage from the making of Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi, Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina’s 1992 film. The selection of tapes feature Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Charlie Reppun, Keoki Fukumitsu and Marion Kelly in various wahi of Koʻolaupoko. Following the screening there will be a panel discussion moderated by John Reppun (featured kalo farmer), with Nālani Minton (Producer), Nick Reppun (featured baby now kalo farmer) and Sancia Miala Shiba Nash (Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina Project Collaborator.) Heavy pupus and refreshments will be provided.
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
July 28 | Friday | 6pm-8:30pm
Arts & Letters Gallery
1164 Nuʻuanu Ave | Chinatown
The first of Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina’s screening series presenting selections of raw footage from the Hoʻomana collection. The selection of tapes feature Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Charlie Reppun, Keoki Fukumitsu and Marion Kelly. Panel Discussion with Nālani Minton (Producer of Ahupuaʻa, Fishponds and Loʻi), Charlie Reppun (longtime Waiāhole kalo farmer and featured in film), and Sancia Miala Shiba Nash (filmmaker & Project Assistant for Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina). Moderated by Emma Broderick (Puʻuhonua Society Executive Director).
Click on the button on the left to view Nā Maka o ka ʻĀinaʻs 1992 film Ahupuaʻa Fishponds and Loʻi online.
Tapes from the Ho‘omana Collection
Watch a recent program of unedited footage from the Oʻahu portion of the Hoʻomana collection, digitized and cataloged by Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina.
As screened: July 28, 2023, at Arts & Letters Nu‘uanu. » »
Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina Online
To view a catalog of Nā Maka o ka ‘Āina’s collection, available transcripts, and ordering information, visit their website. To watch trailers, short videos, and a selection of educational programs, see their other social media and video channels.
Support for Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina is provided in part by Hawaiʻi People’s Fund and Atherton Family Foundation. Hoʻomau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina has received additional support from the Association of Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums.
