Hale Pili looks resplendent in an almost completed Hawaiian Hall on July 24, 2009.

On July 24, 2009, we got a preview of Hawaiian Hall, just weeks away from its grand opening on August 8. Click here for a gallery of photos of the completed hale pili with stanchions and informational plaques in place. Click here for a full gallery of photos from the almost-completed Hawaiian Hall.

 

 

Kumu Marques Hanalei Marzan, left, Mahealani Wong, led by Kumu Samuel Ohu Gon, today offered oli and mele in dedication and blessing of the Hale Pili in Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Hale Pili Pau

By Blaine Fergerstrom / Ka Wai Ola

Kumu Samuel Ohu Gon, Marques Hanalei Marzan and Mahealani Wong today (January 27, 2009) offered oli and mele in dedication and blessing of the Hale Pili in Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum. The ancient hale pili, originally purchased in dilapidated form on Kaua’i in the early 20th century, then reconstructed in Hawaiian Hall, remained unchanged for nearly a century. Approximately four years ago, the hale was dismantled and its parts and construction documented.

Its original three-foot-high cement foundation was demolished and a new pohaku foundation, only 12 inches high, was built several yards back from the original spot. The original posts, made of rare, endangered Hawaiian tree timbers, were carefully refurbished and returned to their original positions, as were many of the original o’a, or rafters. New, less-rare native tree branches were used to fill in the framework. All was tied together with braided ‘uki’uki cordage, much of it handmade by Kumu Marzan. 

Pili collected from far-flung locations was carefully dried and bundled by students of the Farrington High School Hawaiian Academy. The bundles were carefully lashed to the framework by Kumu Pomaika’i Crozier with the help of many.

Today’s ceremonies were attended by many who labored on this project, including many of the Farrington academy students.

Bishop Museum Archivist DeSoto Brown said that what he liked most about the reconstructed hale pili is that it is “down at ground level, and you can get a real feel” for what it was really like for someone who might have lived in the original.

Brown also pointed out that in the reconstruction, the door was placed in the opposite direction from the previous installation. Plans for Hawaiian Hall call for an installation of “significant gods” in the center of the museum. Brown said that the hale pili was the home of a commoner and that it would not be appropriate for maka’ainana to emerge from their home to face the most powerful of his gods.

According to Brown, Hawaiian Hall is scheduled to open to the public in August, 2009. 

• View a gallery of photos from today’s blessing
• View several galleries of photos charting the progress of Hale Pili
• Visit halepili.org

I found big clumps of ukiuki growing near Koke

On a trip last week to Kaua’i for the AOHCC convention, I took a side trip to Waimea and Koke’e. Between the canyon and Koke’e, I found ukiuki growing in large clumps, some of it by the side of the road!

An album of images is at: http://picasaweb.google.com/zztype/081023UkiukiKokeE

Malia helps Pomaika'i affix pili to the finished framework of the hale today.

With the framework nearly completed on the historical hale pili in Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum, students from Farrington High School’s Hawaiian Academy worked to bind the dried pili into small sheafs while Kumu Pomaika’i Kaniaupi’o-Crozier and Alaka’i Malia Kniatt began affixing the sheafs to the frame.

Work is progressing on hale pili and Crozier says the public will get their first look at the completed work in July 2009. In the mean time, you, the reader, get a sneak preview!

A gallery of today’s photos is on Picasa at: http://picasaweb.google.com/zztype/HalePiliUpdate

Kamehameha home needs ti

Some 500,000 leaves are wanted to restore the roof of a building

KAILUA-KONA » The caretakers of Kamehameha the Great’s personal residence in Kailua-Kona are seeking 500,000 ti leaves to restore the roof on one of the buildings, Hale Mana.

Ahuena Heiau, a National Historic Landmark, was the center of political power in the Hawaiian Kingdom during Kamehameha’s day. Kamehameha consulted with his priests and highest advisers there. The king died on the grounds in 1819.

http://starbulletin.com/2008/09/17/news/story07.html

Students from the Farrington High School Hawaiian Studies Program descended on the hale pili under construction in the Bishop Museum’s Hawaiian Hall on May 20. Under the guidance of kumu Pomaika’i Kaniaupio-Crozier, some of the students helped with evenly spreading the pohaku foundation while others worked at fastening wall supports upon which the pili will be fastened. Reconstruction of the ancient hale pili is expected to be finished by the end of June. Hawaiian Hall is expected to reopen to the public in 2009, after years of renovations. Click here for a larger view. Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Click here for a gallery of March 15, 2008 photos.

Click here for a gallery of May 20, 2008 photos.

We hope to use this site to keep you abreast of progress on ka hale pili in Hawaiian Hall at Bishop Museum