Puka Asing
NAME PUKA Asing
AGE 50
TOWN/MOKU
Papakolea
ISLAND Oʻahu
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLE Tunuiatea.a.tuarii@facebook.com
NOMINATED BY Mahina Paishon-Duarte
Leadership Category Business Development
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.
Aloha mai kakou my name is Puka Asing and I am a lifelong resident of Waimea, Hawaii and Papakolea, Oahu, the piko of my existence and places that not only holds special esteem in my na’au but also remind me what my purpose is with the work I do with traditional oihana that define who we kanaka maoli are as people. My passion is Ike Hawaii and I have a special affinity for moʻokuauhau, olelo makuahine, mele & oli, hula, mea kanu and kute meaai Hawaii. I have been fortunate to learn from kupuna who are revered as subject matter experts and have lifted lahui through the perpetuation of these cultural practices. Connecting families with their ancestors to settle land claims, understanding the genius of our kupuna through language and song, sharing authentic technique and execution of hula and last but not least catering food for thousands are all things I have been fortunate to be blessed with doing.
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?
I believe that the ties to our past are the best way to provide direction and purpose for the young ones who are emerging as leaders today. I was fortunate to have been exposed to some very special people in my life who mentored me with the knowledge they gained from their elders and feel it is my kuleana to provide a cultural kahua for these kanaka oiwi who are continuing the legacy of our proud and humble people.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.
I am very much the “ma ka hana ka ike” kinda guy. The knowledge that is not applied is just being stored but getting the hands and mind involved in the way I was taught had this Ike Hawaii stick with me throughout my life. We have some profound Olelo Noeau that is so fitting when trying to encapsulate answers to questions like these, one of my favorites is, “e kuhikuhi pono i na au iki a me na au nui.” - instruct well in the little and the large currents of knowledge. To me, the small things are just as important as the big ones and often make the biggest difference. It’s a huge compliment to have respected kupuna share with me that the way I maneuver a particular hula motion or prepare lomi oio or tripe is not how the young ones do it today but how they used to do it. It has been my honor to perpetuate my diverse hula lineages and love for cooking as excellent ways to convey complex concepts even in today’s modern age.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?
A simple but humble reply would be first my Ke Akua. When leading with Ke Akua you, in turn, receive the mana and ike through your Kupuna and Makua. To name the multitudes of inspirational and influential people in my life I would have to start with my Tutu kuakahi (great grandmother) Julia Kauakahi Oleole, my maternal grandmother Kelii Oleole Kahau, my paternal grandmother Jane Palenapa Asing, my maternal grandfather Scruni Kahau (Kealiiamohuli), my paternal grandfather Pat Tuitele Asing, my mother Mahealani Kahau and father Kaipo Asing. Besides my immediate family, there have been a plethora of extended ohana who has made a great impact in my life such are the following Aunty Genoa Keawe, Ainsley Halemanu, Leilani Sharpe Mendez, Darrell Lupenui, Kekua Fernadez, John Lino, Rachel Palenapa, Hoakalei Kamauu, Mama Kaleipua Pahulehua, Tutu Suganuma, Tutu Pansy Matthews, Aaron Mahi, George Holokai, Namaka Bacon, Clyde Lono, Bernard Kalua, Na Ohana o Lim, Ethelline Teves, Mona Teves, Leinaala Simmerson, Ihilani Miller, Myra English, Kealoha Kalama, Pauline Kekahuna, and her Hauoli Hula Maidens, Wehilani Ching, Cha & Jack Thompson, Dr. Failautusi Aveaga, Scotty Furushima, Joe Keaulana, Kimo Alama Keaulana, Nikki Hines, Queenie Ventura Dowsett, Henry Kaalekahi, Harris and Jacob Kaleikini, Tutu Daisy Mckeague, Billy Hewlen, Hiram Olson, The Kalua Sisters, Mable Kekino, Winifred Asing, Ida Chun, Lena Motta, Lani Naauao, Violet Lilikoi Pahu, Lanakila Manini, Sam Bernard, Led and Ned Kaapana, Elaine Ako Spencer, Aunty Fishy Yasue, Aunty Flo Pahukoa, and Kelii Joy are just to name a few. If I have failed to mention anyone, forgive me and please know that you are not forgotten. Many of these masters and mentors have passed and only a few remain. I promise to always reflect and kahea their names to the heavens as I am humbled to have been inspired and reared by them all. Mahalo Iesu!!!
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?
Hoolokahi- to be in agreement as one Lahui
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?
Lokahi- unity