Letter: Native Hawaiian cultural arts are alive and well
May 11, 2026
Recently, two historic cultural events took place at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. On April 18, the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra presented Michael-Thomas Fournai’s “Raise Hawaiki,” the story of the Hokulea. As introduction, members of the Hokulea’s crew performed an opening chant, followed by
a short speech by Nainoa Thompson. Retelling of the historic voyaging canoe’s birth and subsequent adventures was sung both in Hawaiian and English. Supertitles in both languages along with Moses Good’s narration brought the moving story to life. ...read more read less