Huraiti Mana is honored to have been invited to celebrate in the annual Duwamish Tribe Celebration and Gala, lifting up our Indigenous peoples on this, the second Monday in October, Indigenous Peoples' Day. We lift up our hands most especially to our Duwamish hoa hānau who, though they have lived in these lands known now as the Pacific Northwest since time immemorial, have and still continue to steward this land, and see the city named after Duwamish leader, Chief Seattle prosper and flourish - remain unacknowledged by federal, state, and local governments as a people and nation. The 1855 Treaty signed for healthcare, fishing rights, and education has still not been honored. Duwamish succeeded in receiving federal recognition in 2001 only to have it viciously revoked by the Bush Administration immediately following.

This is a history not taught in schools.

Erasure of Indigenous Peoples is still happening the world over.

It is our kuleana to end cultural genocide and erasure. It is our kuleana to pay Real Rent Duwamish and support the peoples of this land. It is our kuleana that "ethnic studies" be adopted as "American History" for our haumāna.

Sharing oli, hula, and mahalo in the beautiful Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, we make this pledge. As indigenous peoples, we stand in solidarity, we join Real Rent, we remember who we are.

"He Hawai'i Au" by Ho'okena. I am Hawaiian. 

Hula mele by Aunty Makalapua and the late Aunty Mili of Hālau Hula 'O Mililani of Wai'anae, O'ahu.

Video by: Kitman

In Hawai'i, in 1971, the second Monday of October was changed from Columbus Day to "Discoverer's Day" said to include Polynesian discoverers, navigators and vast sea voyagers - however, in its name, it honors "all" considered discoverers. The move for Indigenous People's day, backed by Native Hawaiians against the history of Hawaiian dispossession, exploitation and enslavement at the hands of Captain Cook, never made it to the ballot for the people to vote, its last attempt in 2014.

It is our kuleana. It is time.

Mahalo nui loa mai ko mākou mau pu'uwai e Ida Culver House 'ohana! Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts to Ida Culver House! We sincerely enjoyed this opportunity to perform and share our hula, ourselves, my Kaikua'ana, my sister and I while keeping our communities safe. This was as much a healing experience for ourselves as it was for our elders from the tops of their balconies or through glass windows. E mālama pono - take the utmost care our kūpuna!

Northwest Folklife 2020 went virtual, as so many gatherings have this year, providing opportunity for artists of the Pacific Northwest to share out anything they wanted - a workshop, choreography, story-telling, their laughter and knowledge, their passion and expression - on a virtual stage. A special māuruuru to the community folks who so kindly and so generously donated to Huraiti Mana! Your donations go toward cultural learning opportunities for our students such as attending workshops with other professionals and travel fees, as well as competition registration fees and more! 

How Māui Captured the Sun
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In old Hawai'i, the nights were long, and the days were short. Days were so short, that fruit did not have time to ripen and the kapa clothing did not have enough time to dry. Led by the fierce women in his family, Polynesia's favorite demigod, Māui, embarks on a journey to slow the sun's descent across the Hawaiian sky. Join 'Anakē Kalei of Huraiti Mana along with Story Time @winglukemuseum as she shares with us her performance rendition of, "How Māui Captured the Sun."
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Enjoy this mo'olelo and more in young toddler board book editions distributed by Bess Press. These board books are available as gift sets at the Wing Luke Museum online Marketplace. Sold while supplies last. Email marketplace@wingluke.org for more detail. For more stories and dance by 'Anakē Kalei, check @huraitimana IG videos!

Chihuly Garden & Glass celebrated the arts with "It All Starts with Art" program on Saturday, February 29, 2020 with invited organizations including Urban Artworks, Youth in Focus, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Vera Project, and so much more. As a part of Seattle Center Festál, Huraiti Mana was also invited to perform hula and 'ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance) beneath beautiful glass sculptures in the heart of the museum. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to experience this museum in such a special way, showcasing a diversity of arts offered and welcoming communities active in Seattle. A special mahalo and congratulations to Hilary and Sherrie of Chihuly Garden & Glass and Steve and Vivian of Seattle Center Festál for such incredible coordination of a successful and warm event. Mahalo nui for your warmth and aloha. A hui hou! Until next time!

We were so fortunate and blessed to be able to celebrate the launch party of the Pacific Islander Health Board of Washington! Led by amazing Pacific Islanders, in true indigenous fashion, they celebrated with 'ono food, talking story, delicious fruit drinks by Otai Kingdom, the must-have Electric Boogie, and performances by the University of Washington's Polynesian Student Alliance and, your own, Huraiti Mana! We always enjoy sharing what we can of 'Ōlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language), Hula, 'Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance), and Reo Tahiti (Tahitian language) across Seattle and more -- but it is truly special to be able to share with our Pacific Islander communities. We had a fantastic time connecting and reconnecting with the leaders in our community of all ages, sharing laughs and excitement for what the future holds for our islander 'ohana here in Wakinekona, Washington. Māuruuru roa to Lika, Toka, Lynette, Taffy and all at U.T.O.P.I.A. for all of the beautiful work you do for our 'ohana, our feti'i, our families.