Just as It Should Be, The Student is Now the Teacher
Gordon ‘Umialiloalahanauokalakaua Kai is devoted to nā mea Hawai‘i (things of Hawai‘i) including nā mea kaua (things of war.) He makes weapons, poi pounders and boards, kapa beaters and, his specialty, fish hooks.
In 2019 he was named a Living Treasure by the state’s Office of Hawaiian Affairs that recognizes individuals and groups who have contributed to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian cultural and artistic traditions. With his wife Janice Leinaʻala Noweo Kai, a skilled weaver, ‘Umi, as he is known, dedicates much of his time to keeping alive the craft of making the items that were once essential to Native Hawaiian’s survival.
“I was taught in the traditional manner of my ancestors, learning through observation and by hands-on practice,” said ‘Umi, who places his trademark cluster of four isosceles triangles -- a symbol that’s also tattooed on his chest -- on each finished piece.
His dedication this year earned him a First Peoples Fund Community Spirit Award that recognizes a lifelong commitment to Indigenous culture and art.
“‘Umi truly exhibits the qualities, principles and values that we look for in a Community Spirit Honoree,” said Vicky Holt Takamine, the executive director of PA’I Foundation in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. “For decades ‘Umi Kai has dedicated his life to the perpetuation of the art of lua (the art of war) and the making of implements used by Native Hawaiians for every aspect of Hawaiian traditions.”
As an ‘olohe, a teacher of lua, ‘Umi is frequently asked to lead workshops throughout the Hawaiian islands. His students range from public elementary school children to college students to business executives in downtown Honolulu. ‘Umi’s work can often be found displayed in many settings including the Bishop Museum which bills itself as the premier natural and cultural history museum in Hawai‘i. He also participates in a number of cultural festivals each year including the Native Hawaiian Arts Market held at the Bishop Museum each May, where he teaches his craft to anyone willing to learn.
Educated in the American educational system, ‘Umi recognized as a high school student in the 1960s that much of Hawaiian cultural knowledge had passed away with colonization. He became passionate about learning how to craft Hawaiian items in the traditional way. He sought out the kumu (the teachers) who helped open the windows into his heritage.
“‘Umi’s intense curiosity of the ‘old ways’ propelled him to learn how to research the old practices that had been discouraged and/or destroyed,” said sculptor and installation artist Kaili Chun who also nominated ‘Umi for the First Peoples Fund honor.
“I have been a life-long learner and cultural practitioner of Hawaiian society, benefitting as a student under the tutelage of many noted experts in various fields of Hawaiian culture,” said Umi. “My kumu shared many aspects of the Hawaiian culture with me, which included the proper protocols associated with the creation of numerous traditional implements that were used in our ancestral society.”
On that strong foundation, ‘Umi has layered half a century of practice giving him deep knowledge of Native Hawaiian implement making and their historical and cultural contexts allowing him a path to integrate ancestral practices into contemporary life.
And to help others.
‘Umi helped found ‘Aha Kāne, an organization working to uplift Hawaiian men and build self esteem through the practice of culture. “It’s some of the most important work that ‘Umi is doing now,” said Vicky from the PA’I Foundation.
“‘Umi is the epitome of “haʻahaʻa” or humility. His manner is quiet, but forceful, as he generously shares the wealth of knowledge that he has diligently acquired over his life,” said Kaili.
Added ‘Umi: “I am humbled by the fact that I am now in the position of my kumu, as many of them have passed, to continue their legacy and share our cultural knowledge with others who are committed to perpetuating the work and philosophy of our people.”
