Johnny and Elizabeth Kamano research - 2017

Johnny Kamano was a Native Hawaiian musician and composer, famously writing “Oʻahu (Dreamy Island) (1946),” "I'm a Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch (1946,)" “Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe (1957),” “Ave Maria, Ave (1960),” My Angel Was Singing Hawaiian (1960),” “Hawaiian Melody (1960),” “White Trails of Hawaii (1960.)" The clients were interested in understanding how and when Kamano moved to the East Coast. This was a particularly difficult project because of the lack of history on Hawaiian performers during the early 1900s, despite the role these musicians had in beginning and popularizing what is now called “The Golden Age of Hawaiian Music.” Newspapers from Honolulu, New York, and New Jersey were used to construct a timeline on the Kamanos. Kamano had been recruited as a performer in William F. Aldrich's Hawaiian High and Fancy Divers show on the Steel Pier, Atlantic City. Kamano continued to play Hawaiian music while living and working in the tri-state area between in the late 1920s-early 1950s before moving to Oahu with his wife Elizabeth Gwendolyn Kamano nee Smith.  

Charles ulm research - 2016

Charles Ulm was a 1930s-era Australian aviator, famous for his long flights between the borders of the Pacific. He is most famous for crossing the Pacific in 1928 on the Southern Cross. During a 1934 test flight from California to Hawaiʻi, Ulm disappeared at sea. His last contact was made via morse code to Hawaiʻi.  he client was interested in the Hawaiʻi news coverage on Ulm's disappearance and the subsequent search for his plane. Hawaiian and English newspapers that covered the search for Ulm were utilized for the completion of this search. 

Fleet problems research - 2016

Fleet Problems were a series of large-scale, naval exercises performed by the US Navy annually around the world. Occurring between WWI and WWII, at least five fleet problems took place within the Hawaiian islands to gauge naval preparedness in the case of attack. The client was interested in compiling information to write a book on the Fleet Problems that took place in the Hawaiian islands in the years 1928, 1932, 1933, 1937, and 1938. Local coverage of the Fleet Problems and activities were lengthy often lasted between two and four months, yet have not been used in the retelling of this naval history. The Honolulu Advertiser and the Star Bulletin provided a wealth of information about the off-shore battles as well as the activities and festivities the navy men were greeted with on shore.  

Curation at Hale ohuna - 2015

He ‘ōpū hālau.

A house-like stomach.
A heart as big as a house. Said of a person who is kind, gracious, and hospitable.

Hale Ohuna was a restaurant project by Chef Lee Anne Wong located on historic Waialae Avenue, Kaimukī. The themes of the restaurant honored the past homes that we have all lived in, referencing the feeling of "Tutu's house" and the Golden Age of Hawaiʻi. The space was divided between three areas: the first floor bar, the second floor dining area, and a back room for cocktails and pūpū. Gallery Ohuna featured new works from artists that identify as ‘Ōiwi, Kanaka, Hawaiian, Native Hawaiian, mixed, hapa, or something in between. Each artist is genealogically tied to this place and their work is that of this specific land surrounded by ocean. Artists included Brandy-Alia Serikaku, Dalani Tanahy, Tamara Moan, Marques Marzan, Les Filter Feeders, Brian Jones, Mark Chai, Josiah Patterson, Abigail Romanchak, and Nālani and Tiana Henderson.

For more press on the restaurant please see below:

http://khon2.com/2015/09/14/hawaii-chef-lee-anne-wong-opens-new-kaimuki-restaurant-hale-ohuna/

http://www.frolichawaii.com/stories/sneak-peek-hale-ohuna/

All photos courtesy of Sarah Kalei Perkins.