How often do we drive past important places on our island, knowing little or nothing of their history? Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo cuts through a number of such places, and Pi‘opi‘o, he ‘aina momona (the fertile land), is one of
How often do we drive past important places on our island, knowing little or nothing of their history? Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo cuts through a number of such places, and Pi‘opi‘o, he ‘aina momona (the fertile land), is one of them.
The history of Pi‘opi‘o extends back to Hawaii’s mythic era and is closely associated with the development of Hawaii Island chiefdoms. During the Mahele in the mid-1800s, the entire ‘ili kupono was claimed by the alii Victoria Kamamalu, and a number of ‘Oiwi (native) tenants. But what else makes this place important?
Join Lokelani Brandt, M.A. candidate in the Heritage Management Program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, for a presentation titled “Pi‘opi‘o, He ‘Aina Momona” from 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Lyman Museum, where she will draw from Hawaiian language and English accounts to illuminate the cultural history of this significant part of the Hawaiian landscape.
Born in Kailua, Oahu, and raised in Hilo and Puna, Brandt is a teacher in the Hawaii Life Styles Program at Hawaii Community College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a minor in Hawaiian studies from UH-Hilo. Her master’s research is focused on revitalizing the ‘ili kupono of Pi‘opi‘o by learning and sharing the mo‘olelo (history) of this important place with the community.
The presentation is part of Lyman Museum’s Saigo Public Program lecture series. Admission to this program is free to museum members, $3 for nonmembers. Space is limited; first come, first seated.
For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.
