The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu’s last ‘Onipa‘a speaker series event of the semester welcomes guest J. Hau‘oli Lorenzo-Elarco, Assistant Professor of Hawaiian language at Honolulu Community College, who will be sharing his presentation, Nā Māhū Hahau Hohoa o Hā‘ena.
The free virtual event, ‘Onipa‘a: Nā Māhū Hahau Hohoa o Hā‘ena, will take place from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. on Monday, April 21. Registration is required at go.hawaii.edu/8c3.
According to a description from organizers about the presentation: “Wielding hohoa (a kapa-making implement) as weapons of warfare, the mystic māhū of Hā‘ena, Kaua‘i, nearly seize control of the island from its ruling chief, Manouli. Kamaakamahi‘ai is called in a dream to defend his grandfather’s kingdom. Armed with supernatural abilities and a sacred war club, he faces his toughest tussle yet.”
The presentation features a review of “Ka Moolelo o Kamaakamahiai,” documented by J. W. K. Kaualiinoe and printed in the Hawaiian language newspapers Ka Nupepa Kuokoa in 1870-1871. Participants will discuss the epic battle scene to showcase the fierce and fabulous qualities of māhū warriorship and villainy in Hawaiian mo‘olelo.
According to the event description: This story is one of just a handful of known mo‘olelo about māhū. Through this presentation, participants will remember, retell, and revitalize mo‘olelo māhū as stories of strength, beauty, power, and resilience.
Guest speaker Lorenzo-Elarco, raised by the cold Kīpu‘upu‘u rain in the mountainous lands of Waimea, Hawai‘i, is a Ph.D. candidate in the Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization program at Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikōlani, UH Hilo.
The ‘Onipa‘a speaker series, which started in 2016, features Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, researchers, and community members. It is inspired by the idea of ‘onipa‘a, its meaning, and its history within various political contexts.
‘Onipa‘a: Nā Māhū Hahau Hohoa o Hā‘ena is open to all UH West O‘ahu students, faculty, and staff, and the general public. For questions about the event, email kawenask@hawaii.edu or uhwolib@hawaii.edu.