Background
Hawaiian Culture (Pre-Colonization)
Native Hawaiians, also known as Kanaka Maoli, are the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi. As the original settlers of the Hawaiian islands, the culture of the people were built upon the responsibility of taking care of each other and the land. The Native Hawaiians were known to be innovative and incorporated many forms of art into their own traditions, all of which were intended to tell a story of their history and culture. Art forms such as Kapa making and Hula are examples of how the Hawaiian people told their stories. Hula told stories through traditional dance accompanied by a chant, and Kapa often included designs of unique patterns that represented a significant meaning.
Most stories had a common expression of love, whether it be love for the land of for the people, it was a message that became the foundation of most traditions. Although Native Hawaiians spoke ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), there was no written language until the period of colonization. Instead, the language was portrayed in such a way through traditions like Hula and Kapa to keep the culture alive.
Colonization
In 1778, the colonization of the Hawaiʻi began with English explorer, Captain James Cook. Cook was the first European to voyage to the Hawaiian islands. His discovery of Hawaiʻi opened up what seemed to be a revolving door of foreigners who would voyage to Hawaiʻi to learn more about the land and culture. European painters travelled to the Hawaiian islands to document the nature and people. These painters would introduce new styles such as Modernism, Naturalism, and Screen Printing to the Native Hawaiian culture. Another group that travelled to Hawaiʻi were the Missionaries, who converted majority of the Native Hawaiian population to Christianity. During this time of Western influences, the culture of the Native Hawaiian people would be changed forever. What started as a location of exploration would soon turn into a mission of colonization.
Hawaiian Culture (Post-Colonization)
Following the colonization, the Native Hawaiians experienced years of cultural oppression due to the introduction of Western styles and laws created against Hawaiian practices. Colonizers transformed Hawaiʻi into a location for commercialism and profit at the expense of the indigenous people. This eventually led to the Hawaiian Renaissance, a movement led by Native Hawaiians leaders in efforts to restore the traditional Hawaiian culture. Since this time period, all parts of the Hawaiian culture became revitalized, including the people. Not only do people continue to pass on traditions to perpetuate the culture, but to preserve it.
Native Hawaiians, also known as Kanaka Maoli, are the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi. As the original settlers of the Hawaiian islands, the culture of the people were built upon the responsibility of taking care of each other and the land. The Native Hawaiians were known to be innovative and incorporated many forms of art into their own traditions, all of which were intended to tell a story of their history and culture. Art forms such as Kapa making and Hula are examples of how the Hawaiian people told their stories. Hula told stories through traditional dance accompanied by a chant, and Kapa often included designs of unique patterns that represented a significant meaning.
Most stories had a common expression of love, whether it be love for the land of for the people, it was a message that became the foundation of most traditions. Although Native Hawaiians spoke ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), there was no written language until the period of colonization. Instead, the language was portrayed in such a way through traditions like Hula and Kapa to keep the culture alive.
Colonization
In 1778, the colonization of the Hawaiʻi began with English explorer, Captain James Cook. Cook was the first European to voyage to the Hawaiian islands. His discovery of Hawaiʻi opened up what seemed to be a revolving door of foreigners who would voyage to Hawaiʻi to learn more about the land and culture. European painters travelled to the Hawaiian islands to document the nature and people. These painters would introduce new styles such as Modernism, Naturalism, and Screen Printing to the Native Hawaiian culture. Another group that travelled to Hawaiʻi were the Missionaries, who converted majority of the Native Hawaiian population to Christianity. During this time of Western influences, the culture of the Native Hawaiian people would be changed forever. What started as a location of exploration would soon turn into a mission of colonization.
Hawaiian Culture (Post-Colonization)
Following the colonization, the Native Hawaiians experienced years of cultural oppression due to the introduction of Western styles and laws created against Hawaiian practices. Colonizers transformed Hawaiʻi into a location for commercialism and profit at the expense of the indigenous people. This eventually led to the Hawaiian Renaissance, a movement led by Native Hawaiians leaders in efforts to restore the traditional Hawaiian culture. Since this time period, all parts of the Hawaiian culture became revitalized, including the people. Not only do people continue to pass on traditions to perpetuate the culture, but to preserve it.
Survey
A short survey was sent to local artists in Hawaiʻi via Google Form. Specifically, artists that create work that reflects what Hawaiian culture means to them. The purpose of this survey was to gain insight on the non-traditional and traditional Hawaiian art styles that influences their creative work and how it relates back to the history of colonization in the islands.
Survey
1. Are you part Hawaiian?
2. Can you describe what type of creative work that you do (i.e. Tattoo, Fashion, Graphic Arts, Wood Carving, Weaving, etc)?
3. What is the purpose behind your creative work?
4. What traditional Hawaiian art style(s) influences your work (i.e. Kapa, Petroglyphs, Crafting, etc)? Please explain.
5. What non-traditional Hawaiian art style(s) influences your work (Contemporary, Modern, Art Deco, Abstract, etc)? Please explain.
Survey
1. Are you part Hawaiian?
2. Can you describe what type of creative work that you do (i.e. Tattoo, Fashion, Graphic Arts, Wood Carving, Weaving, etc)?
3. What is the purpose behind your creative work?
4. What traditional Hawaiian art style(s) influences your work (i.e. Kapa, Petroglyphs, Crafting, etc)? Please explain.
5. What non-traditional Hawaiian art style(s) influences your work (Contemporary, Modern, Art Deco, Abstract, etc)? Please explain.