A Night on ‘The Value of Hawaii’ – Learning the Meaning of Pono
This past Beatup felt different. All the pieces seemed similar, but the feeling it left me with wasn’t the same.
Like before, we hosted two notable speakers, authors from the book The Value of Hawaii. Tom Coffman, an independent researcher, writer and documentary producer moved to Hawaii in 1965. His essay about Reinventing Hawaii talked about Hawaii’s history and its future. Also speaking was Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie, who wrote the essay on Hawaii Law and the Courts. Melody is an Associate Professor and Director of Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.
When we got started, things were business as usual. Our speakers were talking story with guests, food was being eaten, books were getting signed and eager folks were saving seats. Even our web-stream was running as smooth as ever with a live audience watching from parts of Hawaii and California. So what was different?
William K. Amona was in attendance – and he spoke from the heart.
Mr. Amona was born in Hawaii, graduated from the University of Hawaii in and was a former attorney and City Council Member. But what I learned most from him from that night was the importance of the word . Simply translated, pono means righteousness. But the word carries much deeper meaning in the Hawaiian language.
Instead of me trying to explain pono to you, which I’m not qualified to do, I want to share some of Mr. Amona’s thoughts on Hawaii’s history, its people and its culture. Along with our two impressive speakers, Mr. Amona’s contributions resulted in a night of passionate discussion among a community who very much loves the place they call home. I hope you enjoy listening to their words as much as I did. And learn from them as well.
Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie talks about Native Hawaiian Law
Tom Coffman talks about the history of Hawaii, and how to reinvent it
Audience: “Does the U.S understand Hawaii’s culture?”
William K. Amona: “What does the Value of Hawaii really mean?”
William K. Amona passionately describes the word “Pono”
William K. Amona talks about his frustration with the term “Native Hawaiian”
William K. Amona: “If you’re less than 60, you cannot run for the legislature”
A student responds to Mr. Amona, discusses the Akaka Bill
Our next Beatup will on Wednesday October 13, at 5:30 p.m. We will continue our coverage on the Value of Hawaii as we focus on public education and the University of Hawaii. Make sure to take a look at the details on our Events Tab and RSVP to beatup@civilbeat.com if you’d like to join us.
