MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 AT 2:30PM
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCE
Commission Members Present were:
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā
Māpuana de Silva
Jarrett Keohokālole
Jamie Lum-Monte McComber
Makanani Salā-Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) Designee
Community Member At-Large
Senate President’s Designee (Arrived: 2:57pm)
Department of Business, Economic Developmentand Tourism (DBEDT)
Governor’s Designee
City and County of Honolulu Designee

Kiele AmundsonMamiko Carroll
Maka Casson-Fisher
Eric Chang
Ilihia Gionson
Kama Hopkins
Dede Howa
Lynn Martin Graton
June Matsumoto
Mālia Sanders-Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA)
Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture & the Arts
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA)
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA)
Public Member
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association

Margaret Ahn
Marlene Hiraoka
Selma Malcolm
Timothy Tiu
Scott Tome-Deputy Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT

Apologies:
Snowbird BentoRichard Onishi
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu-Community Member At-Large
House Speaker’s Designee
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Designee

Guests:Staff:

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 2 of 6

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Ka‘anā‘anā at 2:42 p.m., who welcomed everyonepresent via ZOOM and Facebook Live.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā called upon Mr. Kama Hopkins to do the wehena (opening). Mr. Hopkins wasinvited by Rep. Onishi who was unable to attend the Commission meeting.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, hecontinued with the Agenda.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 22, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. A motion was made to adopt theminutes unamended by Mr. McComber and seconded by Ms. de Silva.
A roll call vote was requested with the following Commissioners approving the motion toapprove the minutes: Chair Ka‘anā‘anā, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Lum, Mr. McComber, Ms. Salā.
The Motion was unanimously approved.
FESTIVAL VENUES UPDATE
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā referred to the Programming Matrix prepared by Ms. Bento that was sent to allCommissioners. Chair asked whether anyone had comments regarding the meeting packet.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā expressed concern regarding actual definitions of cultural practices noted inthe matrix. He used the example of mixed media knowing that there are languages to beconsidered. He would like the Commission to be clear on what is being asked of delegations.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited Commissioners to share comments regarding how best to describe
programming descriptions for the heads of delegation. He emphasized that the terminology usedneeds to be understood by all delegations.
Mr. McComber concurred that programming descriptions could be interpreted differently by
respective delegations. He used the example of kani ka pila (to play music together) as possibly
having different meanings.
Ms. de Silva used the example of Jam Sessions that started during the Festival in Palau. She
described this activity as a designated area for delegations to gather together wherecommunication and exchanges were made through music. However, through the years, thatprogram has turned into a free-for-all. As such, every Festival since the one held in Palau
included a stage, microphone and sound system where countries were assigned times to perform.
Ms. de Silva is hesitant to support this type of Jam Session. She further explained that theoriginal intention of the Festival was to hoʻonui (expand, grow, multiply) traditional arts because
countries were afraid of losing their arts. Initially, the Festival was intended to encouragecountries to showcase what they wanted to preserve, however, over the years, planners wereinclined to give delegations what they wanted so that they would attend.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 3 of 6Ms. de Silva commented that the younger participants who were interested in contemporary
music and interacting with others would gather together at these Jam Sessions. The older
participants would attend the more traditional sessions. She is concerned about the effect of thisprogram occurring in Hawai‘i. Ms. de Silva is fearful that if a Jam Session area is provided,
countries would be inclined to perform genres outside of the scope of traditional music. Ms. deSilva expressed that would not be against kani ka pila programing, but she is unsure if it can becontrolled well and not turn into a Jam Session. She emphasized that if programming included
clear descriptions, there may be more “cultural” exchanges rather than an open mic session.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā asked if the Commission is ready to move forward with the top six categories– ʻŌlelo (Indigenous Lanaguages), Performing Arts, Living Arts, Media Arts, Health andWellness, Special Events or should we finalize the descriptions first before we move forwardwith the 26 individual categories.
Ms. Salā asked about the category of ʻŌlelo and whether it would be a separate category. Shefelt that ʻŌlelo is present in all categories. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā indicated that that level of definition
still needed to be completed. He agreed with Ms. Salā that indigenous languages would appear
in areas such as pottery, painting, etc. as well. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā expressed that the originalintention was to bring emphasis to Hawaiian language revitalization as opposed to only featuring
indigenous languages.
Ms. de Silva expressed that she would prefer the process of finalizing descriptions first before
moving forward with the 26 categories. Ms. de Silva would like ʻŌlelo to be in a separate
category and that ʻŌlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language) should be incorporated into all
categories. It would be important to give Hawai‘i a platform to share accomplishments of what
has been done. If it’s important to us, then we should feature it. Other countries have also beencolonized and they are struggling to get young people to use their indigenous languages. Ms. deSilva also expressed that she is not comfortable on voting on programming matters without Ms.
Bento in attendance. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā thanked Ms. de Silva for sharing her thoughts and ideaswith members.
Ms. Salā expressed support and that ʻŌlelo should be front and center and highlighted in eachcategory. She also asked whether traditional and contemporary arts should be included in thesame category. She used the example of Media Arts is more contemporary, whereas Living Arts
is more traditional. Do we want to do the same thing with Performing Arts and separate them?
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā stated that the Commission is not ready to vote today for a number of reasons.
He stressed the importance of Commissioners to consider planning from a 30,000 foot level. We
need to ask ourselves, do these 26 categories help us to achieve the mission and vision that wehave set for the Festival? Is there any practice that is missing that are unique to Hawai‘i? TheFestival will be the first and only time, in the near future, to expose delegates to the Hawaiianculture.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 4 of 6Mr. McComber expressed that the vision and mission are fulfilled in terms of categories. ChairKa‘anā‘anā stated that the Hawaiian culture would be present everywhere. This conversation isan opportunity to reflect upon these categories since Commissioners would not be voting today.
Ms. de Silva mentioned that hulu (Hawaiian featherwork) is unique to the Pacific. Featherwork
is not singled out and should have been placed in the Living Arts category. Featherwork is also
important related to kahili (feather standards). Ms. Bento should add hulu as a category.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā asked if other Commissioners had questions or comments. Ms. de Silva
shared that more exposure might be considered for exposure to our Niʻihau shell lei arts. ChairKa‘anā‘anā felt that would be an interesting addition and that Micronesian countries havesomething similar so it would be informative to observe both practices.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā agreed to add hulu and pūpū (shell lei art) under the category of Living Arts.
Ms. de Silva mentioned that Uncle Babe’s (Richard “Babe” Bell) work with the hoʻokani pū(conch shell blowing) might be warranted as a separate category. She explained that Uncle Babehas developed certain techniques and sounds that are dependant upon the occasion or event. InHawaiʻi, there is a variety of puhi ʻohe (wind instruments) to consider not just the pū, but also
the oeoe (whistle).
Mr. McComber agreed and gave the example of the Aloha Festivals at Pearlridge Mall’s KeikiPū Kani Contest between schools. Ms. de Silva also said the pūʻohe (wind instruments) may beconsidered, too. She emphasized that she is considering forms of art that are strong within theHawaiian culture that Hawai‘i would like to share with other cultures. In the Pacific, blowing
instruments exists, however, it is not considered in the same way of Uncle Babe’s technique andexpression. Ms. de Silva suggested that it could be shared within a symposium and that it may
not be necessary to create an entirely new category. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā suggested that we list theʻOhe Arts under the Music category to include shell blowing, whistling and other wind and air
blowing techniques. However, he stated that hulu and pūpū should be added as new categories.
Ms. Salā raised another question related to war arts or martial arts and used the example of theMaori as having these war/fighting arts. She wondered if these arts should be included in the
category of health and wellness. She mentioned that lua (hand to hand defensive arts) is now
practiced for health and exercise.
Mr. McComber raised an example of how cultures have found balance between health andwellness, for example between lua and hoʻoponopono (meetings for mental cleansing andforgiveness).
Ms. Salā thought we might consider a category of inter-cultural encounter or exchange as asymposium for the arts that are maybe considered a practice but one that is not widely spreadthroughout the Pacific.
Ms. de Silva commented that the focus should be on positive elements such as health andwellness as the positive elements of it rather than referring these practices from a war/defensive

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 5 of 6position. Sen. Keohokālole indicated that there might be strong feelings associated with the levelof engagement and what categories the masters of these practices feel they best belong in. Heagreed that it would be a good idea to include these categories.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā stated that this is a framework/starting point from which subcommittees will
be formed and discussions held with actual practitioners. Ms. de Silva asked about whether thedescriptions of program offerings have been completed. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā indicated thatMs. Bento developed a draft in a Word document and asked Mr. Gionson to share the document
related to program offerings. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā confirmed that this area needs to be further
developed and comments from today’s meeting would be added to the document.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā mentioned that a PDF will be sent to Commissioners in draft form so thatmembers will be familiar with the descriptions.
With respect to the venues template, Mr. Gionson has sent a draft to the Chair and will bedistributing the document for Commissioners to review. The venues discussion will be pushed
back from the next meeting. Mr. Gionson shared the draft template which is very comprehensive
and detailed. Mr. Gionson mentioned that he developed the template based upon one that wasused for presidential visits. He also stated that the template will be specific to the respective“rooms” being used and not the entire facility. Mr. Gionson reviewed the contents of thetemplate which included many categories such as capacity; venue assets; security jurisdictions;nearest hospital; etc. and proximity to other major facilities. Understanding assets (seating,lighting, sound, etc.) and restrictions (time, cultural, etc.) are vital. Also, understanding areas toavoid; film and other permit requirements; union/non-union procedures; ground and otherrestrictions are important.
Sen. Keohokālole asked a question related to accessibility options and/or constraints associatedwith the venue’s layout. For example, understanding whether media will have accessibility andstreaming options, connectivity capabilities, etc. that would be essential for communication.
Ms. Lum also suggested adding accessibility to the public/participants with physical disabilities.
It would be important to include this information although most venues would probably haveaccommodations related to accessibility.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā expressed his thanks to Mr. Gionson. Chair advised that the document will besent to Commissioners by staff and that members should respond directly to staff for any
comments that would be discussed at the next meeting.
LEGISLATION
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā reported that Senate Bill 696 crossed over to the House of Representatives.
Mr. McComber testified as an individual and the Office of Information Practices (OIP) sharedthoughts that were included in the bill. Chair has been in touch with staff of Representative
Gates, however, the bill has yet to be referred to his committee.
Ms. Ahn clarified that OIP proposed an additional amendment at the request of the Chair, which
did not make it into the bill and should be raised at the next committee hearing.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 6 of 6

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā invited the public to offer comments. Heaing none, he continued with theAgenda.
NEXT MEETINGChair Ka‘anā‘anā confirmed that the next meeting will be held on March 22, 2021 from 2:30
p.m.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited Mr. McComber to make an announcement. Mr. McComber advisedcommissioners that he submitted his letter of resignation to Governor Ige and the Commission
Chair effective April 1, 2021. Mr. McComber emphasized that his departure would leave an
opening for other organizations to be represented and considered for the Commission and hewould still have the ability to participate in the work of the Festival in his professional capacityand as a community member. The Chair thanked Mr. McComber, on behalf of the Commission,for his work that included reporting on CPAC meetings, finance and other matters. The Chair
looks forward to continued collaboration in the future.
Ms. de Silva shared that although Mr. McComber would not be a Commissioner, he will becalled upon to assist and continue with the entire process of Festival planning. She expressed hermahalo and enjoyed working with him.
Ms. Lum thanked Mr. McComber for assisting with the tracking of all financial information andenjoyed working with him as well.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 3:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,

March 16, 2021
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā
ChairDate