Our Kuleana

About Us

Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa Native Hawaiian Writing and Arts offers a creative space for all expressions of ke ano Hawaiʻi — all things Hawaiian.  We showcase writing and art of all kinds, including mele, poetry, stories, photography, and traditional arts, from our students, faculty and community.  These Native Hawaiian voices challenge visitors to see the world in new ways. Many of the works are in our mother language. Native Hawaiian traditions of storytelling and songs are ancient and deep, and these bonds are reflected in many of these modern works here in Pūpū.

Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone to share their work and their manaʻo.  Pūpū AʻO ʻEwa invites original works from everyone, regardless of ethnic and cultural origin.  Visit our Submit Your Work page for more information.

Our kuleana

As a website dedicated to Native Hawaiian self-expression, Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa sees our kuleana – our responsibility – as the following:

  • to perpetuate and promote the Hawaiian language
  • to encourage creativity, especially by Native Hawaiians in our Leeward community, including current and former students, faculty and staff, future students, and community members
  • to address the question of literacy in our Native Hawaiian community by offering a venue for creative expression
  • to provide ongoing education, including workshops to improve student skills, especially in the area of writing, and to improve their understanding of Hawaiian artistic culture and history
  • to promote partnerships with local high schools and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to support our students in as many ways as we can, relationships which in turn, can help strengthen those organizations
  • to link students with resources (such as in the music, publishing and performing) and to be a way for students to meet with working Native Hawaiian writers and artists, leading to internships, apprenticeships, and other career exploration and development
  • to provide hands-on experience and job training for students in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of an online journal, writing awards program, and blog
  • to survey community resources and create a database of Native Hawaiian-serving organizations, businesses, programs, and individuals through Project Kuʻikahi

A little history: How we got started as Ka ‘Umeke Kā’eo Native Hawaiian Writing Achievement Awards

Beginning in Fall 2010, thanks to generous support provided by the Language Arts division at Leeward Community College, Professors Pat Kamalani Hurley and ʻIokepa Badis created Ka ‘Umeke Kā’eo to encourage Native Hawaiian writing excellence.  It quickly became obvious that these wonderful works should be shared with the greater community. Pūpū A ‘O ‘Ewa Native Hawaiian Writing and Arts is the result.

Today, the Ka ‘Umeke Kā’eo awards is funded by Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa and has become an important platform for student expression, particularly in` the Hawaiian language.  Fall 2013 saw the launch of our new art achievement awards, thanks to the generous support of Student Life, the student government at Leeward Community College.  Students are invited to submit their original writings and arts of all kinds about ke ano Hawai’i, all things Hawaiian.

One thought on “Our Kuleana

  1. Aloha e Pupu, just found you and hope you will keep me in touch with your activities. thanks so much!

    noe
    808-792-8252

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