Kamaliikupono Hanohano
Name Kamaliikupono Hanohano
Age 31
Town/Moku Hiwapo‘o, Koʻolaupoko
Island Oʻahu
Social Media Handle @pokikane
Nominated by Max Mukai
Leadership Category Culture
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.
Although my work is centered around all things pertaining to kākau uhi, traditional Hawaiian tattooing, I am simply a kānaka ‘ōiwi trying to use my role to fit into the greater goal of the lāhui. I hope to set an example for the next generation by challenge the existing western narritive and breathing new life into our antiquities through the practice of kākau uhi.
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?
Kākau Uhi uses mo‘okū‘auhau as the cornerstone for its work. By reconnecting the lehulehu with their genealogy we can solidify that relationship through the use of our traditional patterns. Like many cultural tradtions, kākau uhi serves as a vehicle to connect us with our kūpuna and therefore offer insight on how to rekindle our symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Our time is finite so the choices we make must come with proper foresight and reflect our relationship with our seventh generation descendants.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.
I think leadership takes more than just prerogative. Leadership requires constant self-reflection, accountability, and the openness to learn in order to effectively provide a positive influence for ones community. A Hawaiian leader can no longer continue to take from the preverbal ‘umeke of knowledge by reciting past leaders, but must intently contribute, in order to feed the next generation. I can't say with certainty that I am an effective leader- as that's for others to decide- but hopefully my stance as a lifelong student will inspire others to continue the pursuit of knowledge from the seat of humility.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?
My inspirtation first comes from my kūpuna and my mo‘opuna. Without their encouragement my life would be aimless. Second: Sulu‘ape Keone Nunes, my Kumu, for his profound and endless aloha to me and Hawai‘i. His widely respected cultural expertise here in Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific has impacted and influenced thousands. He kanaka ihu pani, he lae o‘o, he pūnāwai. Finally, my people. Without those to lay on the mat and trust the process of kākau uhi, this practice would cease to exist.
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?
‘āina
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?
patience