Interview Question: "Do you feel your job as curator helps you to preserve the history of this place and if so what's your favorite part of this job?"

Response: Uncle Danny believes he's upkeeping Hawai'i's values of Ho'okipa and he feels privileged to have support from the top down. He feels he is placed on a high pedestal in Mauna Lani and for that he is very grateful.

My Takeaways: I think Uncle Danny Akaka Jr. is a respected man amongst the Hawaiian people because he jumps at the opportunity to educate people about Hawai'i. Uncle Danny is a humble man who preserves the history of Kalāhuipua'a and Francis Brown would be pleased with how he teaches foreigners the history of the land. Uncle Danny not only took me on a tour of the ponds but he also gave me a history lesson of when the Mauna Lani Development was built and what the original plans with the Brown family were.

Quote from Uncle Māhealani: "My contribution to our community, our people, to Hawai'i was coming to realize what I'm doing with the restoration of the temples. What is the goal? I hope that one day I can be a better servant to our people, and do this (restore heiau's for Hawai'i)"

My Takeaways: Uncle Māhealani Pai shared his story about fighting the state, the county, and the federal government in a 1996 court case. He taught me to always ask myself these questions: "Who are we?" and "what is our place?" Uncle Māhealani Pai spoke of the importance of integrating ourselves into our cultures and our responsibilities as Native Hawaiian people. He says that when the practice of something becomes a threat to who you are and how you live, you have no choice but to stand up for what you believe in. Uncle Māhealani also taught me the importance of regulation because without regulation there is no beauty in the area you are trying to protect. He explained to me how self-regulation is important because it keeps yourself and others accountable for the protection of the land.

Background Information: Uncle Māhealani Pai was the 1996 Islander of the Year who caused the state Supreme Court to redefine property rights in Hawai'i. Nansay Hawai'i was against Māhealani Pai's case because Nansay wanted to build a $350 million dollar project hotel in Kona. The magazine article says, "Nansay's argument places undue reliance on Western understandings of property law that are not universally applicable in Hawai'i", declared the court. Uncle Mahealani Pai just wanted to continue his family's cultural practices of 'opae 'ula but the hotel development would've destroyed their family ponds.

Forewarning: this video is about an hour long so if you want to view the big takeaways from the video click the other videos below.

During my Zoom call with Kūhao Zane, he told me to consider this question: "What components do I want to convey towards people?" He told me to add a layer of authenticity to my work whether that be the stewardship of the land or simply having the knowledge of what to do with a resource. He uses graphic design in his retail business daily and his purpose is to connect the clothes to the land and place they are inspired from. He told me I should do the same thing with my project. With this advice, I've created this website that connects my culture and Makaiwa Bay to the message I am trying to convey, education and awareness.

Uncle Alan taught me his family history as well as the background story to the Mauna Lani Development. Francis I'i Brown originally bought Kalāhuipua'a for four reasons: For the love of his life ,Winona Love, for communications with Oahu, for the fishponds, and the isolation of the property. Uncle Alan Brown did the initial infrastructure layout of everything when the Mauna Lani hotel was under construction. The chief engineer hired him and Uncle Alan started in general maintenance second class. He was responsible for repairing the maintenance system for everything in the hotel. Sometimes Uncle Alan walked outside to look at the beach and he would often think of how things were going to change in the future. Uncle Alan misses the isolation and remoteness Kalāhuipua'a used to have before the loads of tourists came through each year.

My Big Takeaways:

-It's vital to educate people on the history of the land before they come to the place.

-The remoteness of a place is sometimes good for the people and the environment. For example, the fish in Hanauma Bay repopulated after there were less people in the area.

Big Facts:

-Uncle Alan Brown is a descendant of John Papa I'i. John Papa I'i is a well known politician in Hawai'i and he served on the royal court of Kamehameha II & Kamehameha III.

-Uncle Alan Brown's great grandmother is Irene I'i. She was one of the first women selected to the Hawaiian Board of Missions and she served on the charity board for the Daughters of Hawaiʻi.

-Uncle Alan Brown is the grand-nephew of Francis I'i Brown. Francis I'i Brown was the last individual owner of Kalāhuipua'a and the golf course in Mauna Lani is named after Francis Brown today.

-Uncle Alan Brown still has ties to Kalāhuipua'a through his family and through his work.