A taro-pounding and poi-making event in honor of the late ‘Anakala Eddie Ka‘anana, known to many simply as "Uncle Eddie," will be held Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 at the State Capitol Rotunda from 3 – 7 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Rep. Maile Shimabukuro and friends of Uncle Eddie Ka‘anana.
Ka‘anana grew up in Miloli‘i, a traditional Hawaiian fishing village in South Kona where he learned, like his ancestors before him, to fish, grow taro, make poi and build canoes. Ka‘anana dedicated the final quarter of his life teaching others traditional Hawaiian skills and practices. In particular, Ka‘anana taught students to speak Hawaiian, malama aina (care for the land), and ku‘i kalo (make poi).
"In memory and celebration of Uncle Eddie Ka‘anana we invite all whom he touched to join together on his birthday to clean and ku‘i kalo at the state capitol rotunda," said Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, D-45 (Wai‘anae, Makaha, Makua)
"To gather and ku‘i (pound taro) is a simple demonstration of our connection with and love of Haloa (first Hawaiian ancestor), real food and our love for Uncle (Ka‘anana)," added Vince Kana‘i Dodge, one of the event organizers. "It will send a message to our lawmakers that we are here again. Uncle (Ka‘anana) will be smiling to see us together at the Capitol."
Organizers ask that individuals and groups bring their own materials and equipments, including ku‘i mea (tools to clean and pound poi), cooked kalo (taro), i‘a (fish), la‘i (ti leaf for wrapping pa‘i‘ai (concentrated poi), awa (native root drink), kanikapila (musical instruments and song). Some cooked kalo and i‘a malo‘o (dried fish), and extra ku‘i mea will be provided.
Photo from The Honolulu Advertiser
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