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Mana Moana: Hawaiian Migration to Aotearoa in March
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March 24, 2016

Mana Moana: Hawaiian Migration to Aotearoa in March

Mana moana (“the power of the ocean”) was especially strong this month, connecting Kanaka Maoli (native people from Hawaii) to their Maori and Pacific cousins in Aotearoa. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate are proud to support and be a part of the many Hawaiian exchanges that occurred in March.

2016 Arts Envoy Paula Fuga performing Hawaiian mele for keiki at Sylvia Park School. Photo credit: U.S. Department of State.
2016 Arts Envoy Paula Fuga performing Hawaiian mele for keiki at Sylvia Park School. Photo credit: U.S. Department of State.
Performance by Halau O Moana Nui A Kiwa at “Mana Moana” Art Exhibition Opening featuring Star Gossage & Solomon Enos. Photo courtesy of Tim Melville and artsdiary.co.nz.
Performance by Halau O Moana Nui A Kiwa at “Mana Moana” Art Exhibition Opening featuring Star Gossage & Solomon Enos. Photo courtesy of Tim Melville and artsdiary.co.nz.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Ka Pouhana CEO Kamana’opono Crabbe speaking at the ceremony for the return of Kalani’opu’u’s mahiole and ‘ahu’ula with U.S. Embassy staff seated behind. Photo credit: U.S. Department of State.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Ka Pouhana CEO Kamana’opono Crabbe speaking at the ceremony for the return of Kalani’opu’u’s mahiole and ‘ahu’ula with U.S. Embassy staff seated behind. Photo credit: U.S. Department of State.
Former U.S. Ambassador Mark Gilbert, wife Nancy Gilbert, U.S. Consulate General Melanie Higgins, Arts Envoy Paula Fuga, Kumu Auli’i Mitchell, Hawaii Village Coordinators Maile Giffin and Amo Ieriko, and U.S. Embassy staff pictured at the Hawaii Village at Auckland Pasifika Festival. Photo credit: U.S. Depa
Former U.S. Ambassador Mark Gilbert, wife Nancy Gilbert, U.S. Consulate General Melanie Higgins, Arts Envoy Paula Fuga, Kumu Auli’i Mitchell, Hawaii Village Coordinators Maile Giffin and Amo Ieriko, and U.S. Embassy staff pictured at the Hawaii Village at Auckland Pasifika Festival. Photo credit: U.S. Depa

On March 8, the U.S. Consulate staff attended the opening of the “Mana Moana” art exhibition. The art project developed through the synergetic collaboration between Star Gossage, a Maori artist from Pakiri, New Zealand, and Solomon Enos, a Hawaiian artist from Waianae, Hawaii. The “Mana Moana” art exhibition opened simultaneously in Auckland and Honolulu connected via Skype link and included performances by Ka Pa Nani ‘O Lilinoe and Halau O Moana Nui A Kiwa.

On March 10 in Auckland, the U.S. Consulate hosted Paula Fuga as our Arts Envoy. Paula toured schools throughout South Auckland to speak on her story of Pacific resiliency, run music workshops, and inspire youth through Hawaiian music performances.

On March 11 in Wellington, U.S. Ambassador Mark Gilbert and staff attended an emotional ceremony at Te Papa Museum for the return of treasures from Aotearoa to Hawaii. The beloved mahiole (feather helmet) and ‘ahu’ula (feather cloack) of Ali’i Kalani’opu’u (chief of Hawaii Island in 1779) were returned to representatives from Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. For photos of the ceremony see our FlickR page.