PRIDE OF ALOHA'S KUMU CULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATES
HAWAIIAN ARTISTS, ARTISANS
Three themes - Everyday life in Ancient Hawai`i,
the Hawaiian Kingdom and Contemporary Hawai'i-- are prevalent
in the Kumu Cultural Center (Kumu is Hawaiian for source
of learning). In addition, the center will have three separate
meeting rooms - the Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop Room,
the Princess Ke`elikolani Room and the Queen Emma Naea Room
- and a business center.
The Pride of Aloha design team worked closely
with Mary Philpotts, a well-respected designer from Hawai`i
whose vision was instrumental in the recent remodeling of
the ship, to create the center. Philpotts enlisted the efforts
of a team of local historians, photographers, artisans and
resource people to present this multi-faceted view of life
in Hawai'i. More than 40 Hawaiian artists and artisans provided
the art, crafts, carvings, quilts, memorabilia and reproductions
of artifacts that the center displays.
"The Kumu Cultural Center represents
a major undertaking by Mary and her colleagues who have
created a truly unique place of history and culture,"
said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL America. "A
place that we hope not only our guests will enjoy but that
will be meaningful to the Hawai`i community as well."
According to Philpotts, many of the pieces
displayed are associated with individuals, many of whom
are Native Hawaiian, who have a willingness to share Hawaiian
cultural knowledge and history with Pride of Aloha passengers.
"We want to bring a viable experience
to Hawai`i's visitors by utilizing and embracing the artistry
and legacy of the Hawaiian people," Philpotts said.
"Our artists and artisans have used their expertise
to make this center a source of knowledge, a tool for an
exchange of learning.
"I am extremely proud of this effort
and of the artists and artisans from all the islands."
In The 'Everyday Life in Ancient Hawai`i'
area, guests will learn about the first Polynesians who
settled Hawai'i 1,500 years before Captain Cook came to
the Islands. A reproduction of daily life includes kapa
beaters, poi pounders, games, food vessels, fishing hooks
and hula implements. Extraordinary canoe models, as well
as historic photographs and informative text, describe the
experience of ka po'e kahiko, the people of old.
In the Hawaiian Kingdom segment, guests will
learn about the Islands' rich history through text and images
of the reigning Hawaiian monarchs, or ali'i. Also included,
are reproductions of hand kahili--a feather decorated staff
that acknowledged the presence of royalty, and a lei niho
palaua- hair necklace worn only by ali'i giving them authority
to speak for their people. Four ki'i-wooden carvings representing
the four principal Hawaiian gods, are also on display.
The 30s and 40s, the time period that created
the worldview of an exotic and romantic Hawai'i, is represented
in Contemporary Hawai`i. This area describes the Waikiki
culture and the steamship era when visitors came by sea
from the mainland.
Waikiki, previously the playground for royalty,
became everyone's home, including visitors who would sometimes
spend a month with the "locals." Display cases
showcase the romance of the period with original "hapa-haole"
sheet music (a mixing of musical cultures with Hawaiian
music and English words); etched glass; jewelry; hula dolls;
post cards; and photographs.
"With the Kumu Cultural Center we took
a fresh, real approach," Philpotts said. "We produced
exhibits that represent the history and culture of Hawai`i,
and involved Hawaiians and local people in the telling of
their story. The Hawaiian culture is alive and well today-we
have so much to learn from each other, this center helps
make this kind of exchange possible."
NCL America's Pride of Aloha is the first
modern U.S.-flag cruise ship in almost 50 years. Beginning
July 4, 2004, the ship will sail seven-day, round-trip Hawai'i
itineraries, visiting all four main islands and giving passengers
up to 96 hours in port. Ports of call include: Honolulu,
O`ahu; an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kaua`i; Hilo, Hawai`i;
Kona, Hawai`i; and an overnight in Kahului, Maui.
For further information on NCL America, agents
in the U.S. and Canada may contact NCL at (800) 327-7030;
visit NCL's website at www.ncl.comor
on AOL at keyword: NCL; or to download high-resolution photography
visit www.ncl.com/hires.
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