|
NPS
On December 4, 2013 Senator Mazie Hirono will be one of several speakers at "Nānā I Ke Kumu," a special event to celebrate and unveil the new cultural brochure of Haleakalā National Park. This bi-lingual Hawaiian-English brochure is the first in the 401-unit National Park System to be written by community members in the host community's language. The project is a result of collaboration between community members and park staff. Kupuna shared their mana`o (wisdom), their time, and their talents to improve understanding of the sacred nature of Haleakalā to Native Hawaiians. The authors each donated over 150 hours of time each to write, edit, and design a brochure that will be handed out to over 1 million visitors per year. These contributors will be recognized at the event, Nānā I Ke Kumu, which means "Look to the Source." The brochure asks visitors to share in the kuleana, the responsibility, of protecting Haleakalā. Community members chose their main message, wrote and edited the text, and chose the images they thought most important to share their story. The partnership between Maui community members and Haleakalā is considered a model in which native voices and perspectives are shared with the public. Support for the project was provided by the park's non-profit partner, the Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association. The unveiling will take place in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park at 1pm on Wednesday, December 4. The event will include remarks from the Senator, representatives from the mayor's office and the kupuna, as well as hula and music.The public is invited to attend with payment of the park's entrance fee. The new brochures will be available to the public beginning on December 4, 2013. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015