MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, APRIIL 5, 2021 AT 2:30 PM
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCE
Commission Members Present were:
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, Chair
Māpuana de Silva
Jamie Lum
Richard Onishi
Makanani Salā
Jarrett Keohokālole
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu-

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) Designee
Community Member At-Large
Department of Business, Economic Development
and Tourism (DBEDT)House Speaker’s Designee (Arrived at 2:35 p.m.)City and County of Honolulu Designee
Senate President’s Designee
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Designee

Kiele Amundson
Jackie Lynne Burke
Hailama Farden
Jean-Emmanuel Frantz
Ilihia Gionson
Dede Howa
Terence Liu
Lynn J Martin Graton
Monte McComber
Aaron Salā
Malia Sanders
Margo Vitarelli-

Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA)
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
University of Hawaiʻi/Royal Hawaiian Center
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Public Member

Margaret Ahn
Marlene Hiraoka
Selma Malcolm
Timothy Tiu
Scott Tome-

Deputy Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT

Apologies:
Snowbird Bento-

Community Member At-Large

Guests:Staff:

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, April 5, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 2 of 6

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā at 2:32 p.m., who welcomed
everyone present via ZOOM and Facebook Live.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā called upon Ms. Makanani Salā who introduced a member of her staff, Ms.
Janelle Saole, to do the wehena (opening).
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. He alsomentioned that testimony was received in writing and distributed to members. Chair also
reported that late written testimony was received from Ricardo D. Trimillos, Professor Emeritus
in Ethnomusicology and Asian Studies at UH Manoa regarding the upcoming International
Symposium on Pacific Music and Dance. This testimony will be sent to Commissioners.
Chair also invited Commissioners to ask questions or share any comments. Rep. Onishi
expressed that he recalled a past policy or concept that the Commission would be open to
allowing adjoining symposiums to be held concurrently with FestPAC. He asked if this is still
considered to be a general policy. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā mentioned that several conferences andsymposiums may be held during FestPAC. These events could add to what will be a beautiful
week, however, organizations will need to plan their own programs and will be asked to avoid
scheduling conflicts with major FestPAC events.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 22, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. A motion was made to adopt theminutes unamended by Ms. Lum 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. Bento, Rep. Onishi, Ms. Lum, Ms.
Wong-Kalu, Ms. Salā.
Motion was unanimously approved.
LEGISLATION
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā reported that Senate Bill 696 SD1 HD1 that extends the life of theCommission until August 31, 2025 was passed from the House Committee on Finance with
amendments. A defective effective date was added to the measure. It will then proceed to third
reading and a full House vote before it is sent back to the Senate and scheduled for Conference.
PRESENTATION OF REVISED PROGRAM MATRIX AND DISCUSSION
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā turned over this portion of the meeting to Ms. Salā who reported on the revised
program matrix on behalf of Ms. Snowbird Bento. Ms. Salā read the report which will be sent toCommissioners and attached to the minutes.
To summarize, the newly proposed buckets/categories that were developed would provide
general program concepts for delegations as follows:Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, April 5, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 3 of 6

1. Performing Arts (Hōʻikeʻike) which includes music, dance drama, poetry, storytelling.
2. Visual Arts (Hōʻike Kiʻi) which includes creative activities such as drawing, painting,printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, architecture, photography, graphic design and film.
3. Applied Arts (Hana Noʻeau) which includes demonstrations of wood, stone or bonecarving. Jewelry, featherwork and shell making would be included in this category. In
addition, fashion shows would be a part of this category.
4. Culinary Arts (Meaʻai) showcasing the process from planting to harvesting to meal
preparations (ceremonial and non-ceremonial).
5. Symposium (ʻAha Moananuiākea) ongoing conferencing that would be held during
FestPAC and which would include scholarly presentations, etc.
6. Complementary Activities (Nā Hana Pākuʻi) events that would be hosted by partners.
7. Special Events (Nā Hana Kūhelu)– Waʻa arrival and the ecumenical service will be
added to the scheduled matrix.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā expressed his thanks to Ms. Salā. He also mentioned that Mr. Gionson
developed a mock-up to compare both plans – the previously approved buckets of categories andthe newly proposed buckets. Chair requested comments and questions from Commissioners.
Ms. Salā indicated that Mr. Aaron Salā and Mr. Monte McComber also would be able to provide
answers since they did a lot of the heavy lifting in developing the revised matrix.
Ms. Wong-Kalu shared her comments related to the Nā Hana Pākuʻi category, specifically, theCelebration of Māhū (LGBTIQA+). She believes that this topic should be discussed in an open
forum. She pointed out that this topic should be a part of a larger discussion. For PacificIslanders, some of the issues related to this topic have a duality or two spirits. People will use
terminologies in different ways. She would like this topic to be brought forward so that there isan understanding that people can embrace.
Ms. Wong-Kalu further explained that when looking at Pacific languages and pronouns,
Polynesians have an understanding of “he,” “she” and “it.” There is no gender or sex attached tothe pronoun. This topic could be given an open session to engage in further discussion. She
expressed that she would like to hear comments from other Commissioners. She is in support ofthis topic.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā thanked Ms. Wong-Kalu for sharing her thoughts. He indicated that he was not
comfortable with māhū as being a part of the Pākuʻi bucket. He also commented that he noticed
that ‘ohana (family) was not included in any of the new buckets.
Rep. Onishi mentioned that he recalled a previous discussion related to health and wellness that
included ‘ohana. He believes that these discussions would be appropriate under the symposium
category and allow for an understanding of concepts to evolve. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā agreed andexpressed that ‘ohana needed to be a part of the core program.
Ms. Wong-Kalu commented that given what Rep. Onishi expressed, the topic of māhū could beapproached as a social structure. There are many different ways to expand upon this topic

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, April 5, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 4 of 6

including leadership. For example – how does our social structure provide leadership within afamily, church, hālau, etc. that includes the elements of kāne and wahine and those who straddle
in a middle space. There is room for everyone.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā asked if it would be okay to add ‘ohana to the symposium section. Ms. Salā
expressed that in previous conversations they were looking at buckets in a general way. She
asked if there is anything that is blatantly missing with the understanding that topics will be
moved around, too.
Ms. de Silva commented that she liked the narrative and its intention and acknowledged how theFestival started and incorporated categories that have been in existence at Festivals over theyears. She appreciated how the narrative connected the original FestPAC categories. Ms. deSilva acknowledged that because there is a lot to consider she would prefer that decision-making
be deferred and not be made at this meeting.
Ms. de Silva asked that Commissioners be sent the original report developed by Ms. Bento andher committee. Every Commissioner should review the report, offer their own notes, return to theCommission and engage in a discussion with committee members who created the report. The
first five categories were what was originally identified in the past. The committee included theirresearch in the newly developed matrix. Perhaps the title Nā Hana Pākuʻi needs to be changed?
The jam session and fashion show were added after the original pillars were established. Ms. deSilva shared that she is concerned about the number of topics/activities that are being considered
because additional activities will require a bigger budget. She suggested that the programcommittee make its recommendations to the Commission. She repeated that she would like
Commissioners to receive the original report prepared by Ms. Bento, have the opportunity tocomment on it and followed-up with a discussion with the individuals who developed it.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā requested that Ms. Salā and Mr. Gionson send the program matrix andcomparison document to Ms. Sanders for distribution to Commissioners.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā echoed Ms. de Silva’s comments that having more activities would require
more money. Ms. de Silva cautioned that there are so many topics to consider, however, that theoriginal intention of the Festival should be considered and that the Commission needed to be
selective. She commented that she has attended many Festivals that included ancillary events butlacked acknowledgement or activity. She reminded members that the same amount of energy isrequired to develop small and large events. Consideration must be made regarding core staffing
needs at these events, too. She suggested that the Commission stick to the main topics so that
others would not be diluted in the process.
Ms. Wong-Kalu recalled that when she first heard about the māhū category/topic, she questioned
why. She believes there is merit to having visibility, however, she does not believe that it needs
to be visible in the “western” way. She further indicated that if the Commission decided thatmāhū should be visible and prominent, she would not be the driving force behind it because it
would go against her personal and professional career.

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Ms. de Silva agreed with Ms. Wong-Kalu’s comments. She explained that when Aunty Vicki(PAʻI) was the FestPAC contractor, she included the Queens Pageant in programming. At thetime, most decisions were made along with her ideas. When PAʻI withdrew and the Commission
took over as a working Commission, the program followed what PAʻI originally developed.
There were no in-depth discussions held regarding each activity/event. She would like to support
what the community wants – across many ethnic groups from the Pacific Islands. Ms. WongKalu believes that there needs to be a “think tank” to address these issues with more discussion.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā suggested that Ms. Wong-Kalu form a subcommittee and bring ideas andrecommendations to the Commission. She expressed that she would value a cross-section of
opinions including hearing from Sen. Keohokālole, Rep. Onishi and Ms. Lum. She is very
cognizant and conscious about people’s need to understand that when speaking of māhū, it is notnecessarily in the same as the western perspective. She believes that people can learn andunderstand that looking through a western lens is not the only way.
Rep Onishi added that, during previous discussions, this topic was presented within the context
of ʻohana. It was from a kāne and wahine perspective and included keiki and māhū. In that
context, how each culture should be represented within the family was discussed. It was not
specific to the māhū topic. He recalled that the Queens Pageant was going to be eliminatedduring the 2020 Festival because it was not relevant to the Commissioners as a whole.
Rep. Onishi commented further on the discussion of programming. He recalled that when theCommission took over programming, there was a discussion of what would be included andwhat would be eliminated. For example, within the category of surfing, there was only one
potential participant, so it was going to be eliminated. For the regatta and waʻa, it was also going
to be removed because only two or three countries were sending a waʻa to Hawaiʻi.
Commissioners will need to focus on concepts. Countries will determine how they will
participate. Rep. Onishi also expressed that we are the host so we can decide on the
programming and each country will determine their level of participation.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā indicated that once feedback from the countries is received, the Commission
would be able to identify what programming is popular and others that might not be viable. As
Ms. de Silva mentioned, if there are too many options, the program becomes diluted. Chairsuggested that Commissioners use the next two weeks to think about these considerations. He
thanked Ms. Wong-Kalu for sharing her thoughts. He commented that ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi should be apart of all programming. In the same way, practitioners who are māhū should be represented andencouraged in the same way.
DISCUSSION OF ASSIGNMENTS FOR SUB-COMMITTEES
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā indicated that the subcommittee matrix was initially going to be discussed,
however, it will be deferred and moved to the next meeting agenda. He would like theorganizational chart to be developed that included community members who could be added to
subcommittees. He asked Commissioners to think about their kuleana and identify core
individuals that could be included.

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Chair Ka‘anā‘anā would like to send the venue information, intent to participate forms, etc. tothe heads of delegation and emphasized that there is a need to begin opening up channels ofcommunication with the delegations.
DISCUSSION OF FESTIVAL MANUAL
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā requested that Commissioners read the Festival Manual and Guam’s afteraction report to help in understanding the Kuleana Matrix and development of subcommittees.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited the public to offer comments.
Mr. Aaron Salā offered his comments regarding the narrative and programming report that waspresented earlier in the meeting. The goal of the report was to streamline activities for FestPAC.
The goal of the Pākuʻi bucket was to include activities that were outside of FestPAC wherepartners would be responsible for events.
Ms. Wong-Kalu understood Mr. Salā’s comments. She also expressed understanding of how theCommission operates. She suggested that it would behoove the Commission to have clear
communication established related to supplemental activities because of liability matters. She
mentioned that Pacific Island visitors will see all activities as part of FestPAC even if they arenot. She cautioned that the Commission would not want to be naïve in its approach and may
want to consider keeping all activities under the FestPAC umbrella, to some extent, to avoid
challenges or obstacles.
Ms. Wong-Kalu requested an email update and Ms. Sanders confirmed that she will follow-up on
this matter with Mr. Tome.
Ms. de Silva expressed her thanks and appreciation to Sen. Keohokālole and Rep. Onishi forattending FestPAC meetings, for their compassionate stance and for representing the Legislature.
NEXT MEETING
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā confirmed that the next meeting will be held on April 19, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 3:42 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,

04/07/2021
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā
Chair

Date