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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Pa‘i Foundation on Saturday recognized five individuals at their 2019 Makamae o ka Po‘e Hawaii: Living Treasures of the Hawaiian People ceremony. They are:
>> Doreen Henderson, a kumu lei hulu, or feather-work artist, and the founder of Lei Hulu o Hilo. She was an integral leader in the re-creation of several alii gowns currently on display at Iolani Palace.
>> Gordon “Umi” Kai, artisan and cultural practitioner, is a toolmaker known for his skill in creating Hawaiian weapons as well as implements for fishing, farming, kapa and poi pounding. His work has been recognized nationally and internationally.
>> Florence Pauleipoina‘ole “Anake Lolena” Nicholas, a Native speaker, was the first teacher at the first “language nest” for Punana Leo o Honolulu in 1985. She has nurtured generations of families in the Hawaiian language and helped develop curriculum for Hawaiian-language immersion schools.
>> Pualani Kanaka‘ole-Kanahele, scholar, kumu hula and cultural practitioner, is the daughter of the late hula and chant master Edith Kanaka‘ole and the past kumu of Halau o Kekuhi. She is known for bringing hula and Native Hawaiian storytelling to multiple forms of media, including film, music and books.
>> Jerry Walker, lua master, is considered an essential part of the continuing resurrection of pa lua, a Native Hawaiian martial art. He has taught the art of self-defense to thousands and continues to teach through seminars and social media.
