Mele Hawai’i: More Than the Sound of Music

• In Event: Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific SIG Business Meeting: "Elepaio": Indigenous Literacies, Indigenous Voices

Abstract

Hawaiians are constantly struggling to find a space to thrive in a world where the knowledge, practices and very identity of our people are constantly being challenged. Hawaiians in all fields are trying to find ways to resist colonization. This qualitative research paper centers around the question, “How can music be used as a tool to resist continuing colonization both inside and outside of the classroom?” This paper identifies the functional uses of Hawaiian music and the intergenerational knowledge transfer that frequently takes place in learning it. The conclusions are that music helps to rally, inform, and support the very identity of our people and gives them an arena to express frustration with their current political situations.

Author

• Kamuela Makanahiwahiwa Kimokeo, University of Hawaii