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The Vaka Taumako Project of
the Pacific Traditions Society

 

     Presentation: Matangi o Lata – Lata's Wind    

On Saturday 1 March, Mimi and Meph did a presentation for the Kaua`i Museum's `Ohana Day. The event's working title was Matangi o Lata – Lata's Wind.

It is one of a series illustrating the four elements, earth, air, water, and fire. Although air and water will dominate, earth and fire also was represented.

Mimi presented her latest findings about Nohoanga te Matangi, the navigational system used by Chief Kaveia. Meph talked about various manifestations of Lata, including dance and weather modification.

To illustrate the kind of equilibrium Lata embodies, there was a hands-on finale in which everyone had the opportunity to join in making a traditional rope from `ilihau.


traditional rope making on Taumako


     2nd. Presentation: Matangi o Lata – Lata's Wind    

Mimi and Meph also gave a talk at Kauai Community College on March 3rd. at the Learning Resource Center (Library). The KCC talk was similar to the Kauai Museum presentation.


     More news about the busy first weekend of March  

Stephanie Guyer-Stevens of the Outer Voices Project came to Kaua`i to record part of the program she is assembling from interviews with Polynesian navigators from Temotu. (Long-time fans of VTP may recall that Stephanie and her assistant Carlos Tejada visited Taumako and the Reef Islands in 2005--check out the August 2005 newsletter on this site to see photos of their journey-- to record these interviews.) She planned to tape voice-overs of the Temotu people, and thought that Native Hawaiian accents and intonations would fit well with those of their southwestern cousins.

After the KCC presentation on 3 March, therefore, Mimi, Meph, Larry, and a crew of honorary Taumako, Puanani Rogers, Nelson Ka`ai, Carol Lovell, Hualani Duncan, and Hale Mawae, assembled at KVIN televison studio on Kawaihau Rd. in Kapa`a. On hand also were Tim Delavega and several members of the studio staff, who interviewed Mimi for a broadcast of "Vaka Taumako, the First Voyage" on KVIN TV.

It was a long afternoon, but all went well. Stephanie was delighted with the actors and the facilities. She hopes to have the broadcast finished by late April or early May. It is possible that there will be a premier of the program in California sometime in June. We shall post information on this as soon as we have it.

You can also check Stephanie's website: www.outervoices.org for more information. (Check out other programs in the Outer Voices series on this site too. You may be especially interested in "The Hula Lesson", a program featuring Roselle Bailey and her students.)

Mahalo nui to Nani, Nelson, Hua, Carol, Hale, Tim, and the KVIN crew for their help with this endeavor. We look forward to hearing the finished program.



 

Vaka Taumako Project of the
Pacific Traditions Society
PO Box 712
Capt. Cook, HI 96704

Phone (808) 936-8462    
FAX    (808) 823-6741    
Email:  george.mimi@gmail.com



The Vaka Taumako Project operates under the aegis of the Pacific Traditions Society, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. Monetary and some other donations are tax-deductible in the USA.

In Germany, donations for the VTP are tax deductible if you donate to the Verein zur Foerderung kultureller Traditionen (a non-profit organization) under the key word "Vaka Taumako Project". For address and bank account information see  www.traditionen.org



  Contacts

Dr. Mimi George, Principal Investigator
Mailing address:
Dr. Mimi George and Paramount Chief K. Kaveia
P.O. Box 712, Capt. Cook, HI 96704 USA
email:  vaka@aloha.net
Phone 001 808 936 8462

H. M. Wyeth, Permanent Secretary
Phone 001 808 822 0647
FAX 001 808 823 6741

Larry Williamson, President,
The Pacific Traditions Society


  To get onto our mailing list and/or to send in a contribution, please mail your name, address, email address, and phone / fax to Mimi George at the address above.


 Project Updates  ||  Table of Contents
Updated 05/08/08