ʻIke Hana Noʻeau "Experience the Skillful Work"

Ma ka hana ka ʻike
(Knowledge can be acquired by doing)

A captivating new video series produced, created and hosted by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park rangers shares authentic Hawaiian cultural practices beyond the park to homes and classrooms anywhere. The short films are both “talk story” documentary and tutorial, and enable a friendly connection to traditional Hawaiian lifestyle practices.

The video series is titled ʻIke Hana Noʻeau (Experience the Skillful Work),” and evolved from the in-person cultural demonstrations hosted by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center. The in-person programs are on hold, but the park’s mission to share authentic Hawaiian culture is stronger than ever. The video host Park Ranger Sean Miday is Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) and an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) speaker, who rolls up his sleeves and jumps in to learn these important traditions along with the viewer.

 
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Duration:
5 minutes, 14 seconds

Join James Kanani Kaulukukui Jr. as he shares his ʻike (knowledge) of carving kiʻi, sacred wooden images. He guides us through the intricate process of shaping kiʻi to carving each detail with intention and respect. He explains the role in spirituality, protection, and history.

 
  • How to carve Kālai Kiʻi (Carving Sacred Images)

    How to carve Kālai Kiʻi (Carving Sacred Images)

    Join Ranger Hoʻolaʻi Miday as he demonstrates how to replicate traditional kiʻi carving techniques (sacred wooden images) learned from master carver, James Kanani Kaulukukui Jr., using a carrot and a butter knife as substitutes for the traditional tools.

    Duration:
    10 minutes, 26 seconds
 
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Duration:
23 minutes, 33 seconds

Poi is the staple food of the Hawaiian people and kuʻi kalo is the process of pounding cooked taro corms to make poi. For many Native Hawaiians, this process is a way to connect with their older brother Hāloanakalaukapalili who in a cosmology story fed them and continues to feed them today. 

 
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Duration:
16 minutes, 37 seconds

Lāʻī, also known as ti leaf, is used in many different aspects of Hawaiian life. It is used for ceremony, healing, protection, cooking, lei, and much more. Lei lāʻī is a hula adornment, but the leaves used also represent deities Laka (forest and hula) and Lono (harmony and agriculture), as well as kūpuna (ancestors).

 
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Duration:
18 minutes, 51 seconds

The rhythmic beat of the ipu heke ʻole, single gourd drum, is prominent in hula kahiko (traditional hula). Crafting an ipu heke ʻole is an intricate process that involves growing and shaping the gourds, hand pollinating the plants, and constructing trellises so they grow to produce a beautiful sound. The gourd helps hula dancers tell their story and share the sounds of the islands. The ipu heke ʻole is more than an instrument, it is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.

Last updated: March 28, 2025

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Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718

Phone:

808 985-6011

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