Davida Malo and the Mo‘olelo Hawai‘i

Matinée presentation:

Davida Malo, although a commoner, was a towering figure in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i until his death in 1853.  He is best known today for his book Ka Mo‘olelo Hawai‘i, although the English version, Hawaiian Antiquities, did not appear until fifty years after Malo’s death and the original Hawaiian text was not published until late in the 20^th century.  Drs. Kapali Lyon and Kale Langlas have spent twelve years preparing a new, bilingual edition of Malo’s book that also contains a new biography of Malo by Dr. Noelani Arista.  This afternoon and evening, Dr. Kapali Lyon (UH-Mānoa) discusses Malo’s work in the light of his times … and of his manifold careers as Hawaiian patriot, chiefly advisor, government minister, pastor, and a profound scholar who produced what is perhaps our single most important description of pre-Christian Hawaiian civilization.  Dr. Lyon also introduces previous work on Malo and the forthcoming two-volume edition of The Mo‘olelo of Davida Malo, currently in press with the University of Hawai‘i Press.

Admission to these wonderful programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers.  Please support the Museum by becoming a member, and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge!  Seating is limited; first come, first seated.  ON MONDAY EVENINGS ONLY, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School, Kapiolani St. entrance; park, then walk through our green gate in the rock wall. 

On Monday evenings, doors open at 6:30PM.  E komo mai!