Halawa Valley Heiau History

      Hidden under the H3 pass the Hawaiian Cement plant lays one of Hawaii best keep secrets Halawa Valley Heiau.  The site is peace and tranquil with fruit trees, fresh water running through a stream and the looming mountains overhead. But what makes the place special is the artifacts of ancient Hawaiian their remains. During the seventies construction workers wanted to come into Haleiwa Valley Heiau and develop the place.  They understand the importance of the site.  Aunty Sweetie and sister ( and their family who are care takers of the Heiau)  protested against the development of the Heiau.  Aunty Sweetie and her sister would walk from their house in the residential area of Halawa through the steams at four in morning. They would do this to be in front of the Heiau when the construction workers came to stop them.  This went on for some time that Aunty Sweetie and her sister camped out there.  The case eventually was taken to court between Aunty Sweetie and her family against the developers.

             An archaeologist name John Doe ( this real story I just don’t remember his name)  heard about the case and decides that he would try finding artifacts along with remains so the developers would not come in.  If he could find the iwi kupuna (ancient Hawaiian bones) of Hawaiians then legally the site could not be develop . It would prove to the general public as well as the developers that it was special.  The archaeologist was right there were iwi kupuna.  However once that was found out the developers were angry now could not build.  Another company came in and hiring other archaeologist took the iwi kupuna right from under the puhakas (sacred rock). The bones were found out to be priestess who practiced the sixth sent. They could choke someone in their asleep just by looking at them.   The iwi kupuna were taken to the Bishop museum to be study and put on a display for the public.  This only infuriated the Native Hawaiians. How could someone just come in take their ancients and then charge them to see them?

            Something needed to be done and John Doe felt the same way.  He went to the Honolulu Star newspaper and told them what was happening.  His story was publish in the newspapers which in turn got him fired from his job.   The Museum Bishop had nowhere hide they had but one option give the iwi kupuna back.   When the other archaeologists came the iwi kupuna back they put them in plastic bags in a cardboard Fritos box.  In a plastic bags with hand bones a male archaeologists made the point to write “Louis Vuitton hand bag”.   He didn't understand the importance or the significance of the bones and thought it was a joke.  For the Native Hawaiian the past is not died is alive. Just as you would respect your grandparents’ graves so do you respect and care for the ancient graves because they are also are grandparents.  The bones were taken out of the plastic bags and put into Koa bowl.  A priestess was call into bless the bones and ask for forgiveness for what was done.   Culture values and come into to conflict with archeologist and developers when they do not realize the important of the artifacts and bones to the native people.  

Why the Ukulele is Popular

    

The ukulele although a small musical instrument it has capture the hearts of people all round the world.  It seems everywhere the ukulele goes inspires people and bring people together.  The ukulele is often associated with Hawaii and paradise. Many modern movies as well as old ones have an ukulele scene.  Many of famous actors and actress have played the ukulele such as George Clooney. The ukulele popular because of its inexpensive price and portability, easy to play and also the people was influenced it.  Although all of these play into the ukulele being popular the influence musicians, royalty, actors played a much bigger role.

Despite the ukulele being associated with Hawaii in fact it came over with Portuguese immigrants in the 19th century. The Portuguese called the instrument Brauina. The first Hawaiian name was Pila Li’ili’i meaning little fiddler.( “Evolution of the ukulele”) A upon hearing the music from the instrument the Hawaiian people fell in love with it. In fact even the Hawaiian monarchy love it many of them become accomplish ukulele players.  King Kalakaua promote the instrument influencing Hawaiian music by establish the ukulele in it. (The Ukulele: A History. )  The ukulele has been incorporated in not only traditional Hawaiian music but also reggae, R&B and pop.  ( “ Evolution of the ukulele”)  The ukulele became popular on the mainland in 1915, after the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.  The exposition promoted and launched a greater interest from the mainland in Hawaiian music. 

Up until the 60s and 70s the ukulele was perfect instrument due to its small size and price but some people were not convinced. For them the ukulele could did all the things other instruments could it was limiting be only for the time being. During  the Hawaiian cultural Renaissance musician and ukulele master Peter Moon was about to change that.  What he did had never been done before. He brought a whole new life to the ukulele and how people think of Hawaiian music.  Many of the ukulele masters that came after him were influenced and inspired by his playing style.  (Isle Music Jam Earns hana hou )  With new invaded music for the ukulele it change everything people though that could be done on the ukulele and in turn it set the ball rolling for bigger things for the ukulele.  With each new ukulele master that came after Peter Moon they all added something new and different that had not already been done.  Each time the ukulele got a makeover it blow people away with what could be done.  The sky was the limit for the ukulele.  

 Years later Hawaii had a new ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake   Shimabukuro.  Jake Shimabukuro also challenged what could be done the ukulele as he well known for his fast complex finger work.  His music is not only increase the popularity of the ukulele in Hawaii but also became a big hit in Japan.  ( Jake Shimabukuro) Jake Shimabukuro was not the only to make the only one to make the ukulele popular in a Japan. In the 1950s the ukulele was the entire rave with many Japanese-Hawaiian music being promoted.  In Japan of 1960 the ukulele sells started to drop. Japan had found its new craze and it wasn’t the ukulele, instead it was Rockabilly. (  Kiwaya Japan ukulele company) Rockabilly is was one of the earliest rock and roll music blends with American folk and Western. Jake Shimabukuro help the ukulele gain its popularity back in Japan.  

In 1980 the sells of ukulele on the mainland plummeted because they unpopular among people. However in 2011 the sells of ukulele went back up with some handmade Ukes selling for $10,000 even in a tough economic.  Two decades ago ukulele makers were struggling to sell their product now the demand is so high they cannot make enough.   This wave of popularity over the ukulele is believed to have been contributed after the death of former Beatle George Harrison.  ( ukuleles have gone viral)   Everyone now wanted a ukulele of their own so that they too could play like George Harrison.  People wanted to be able to say that they could be a Beatle song which sparked new popularity for the ukulele.  However even before 2011 the ukulele had gain back popularity on the mainland through Israel Ka’ano’I Kamakawiwo’ole’s song “ Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful world.”   They were played at the closing credits in  Meet Joe Black.  The song was also played in You've Got Mailed Finding Forrester, 50 First Date along with having a tons of television shows have used the song.   Kamakawiwo'ole's version of the songs created new interest in both Hawaiian music and the ukulele from the mainland. 

The ukulele gain in its popularly both in Hawaii, Japan and the mainland was thanks to famous ukulele players, Hawaiian monarchy.  They brought their love for ukulele to the public.  With each ukulele master and artist they brought something new to the table and made people change how they viewed the ukulele.  Hawaiian monarchy King Kalakaua influence the use of ukulele in Hawaiian music. Peter Moon was the first ukulele master to change the way the ukulele had been play paving the way for others to come after him.  Jake  Shimabukuro with is fast playing style influence the younger generation of today to start playing ukulele.   Last but not least Israel Ka’ano’I Kamakawiwo’ole’s made the ukulele popular with his easy to listen songs that capture the heart of people.  Each of these  ukulele artist and the King along with many many not mentioned helped to get the ukulele it popularity.