Kanaka Hawai'i Cartography: Hula, Navigation, and Oratory

First Peoples: New Directions in Indigenous Studies

by Renee Pualani Louis, Moana Kahele (Primary Contributor)

Kanaka Hawai‘i cartographic practices are a compilation of intimate, interactive, and integrative processes that present place as “experienced space,” situate mapping in the environment, and encode spatial knowledge into bodily memory via repetitive recitations and other habitual practices, such as hula. Kanaka Hawai‘i cartography is both similar to and distinct from Western cartography. It is similar in that it provides a shorthand system of understanding spatial phenomenon. It is distinctive in that Kanaka Hawai‘i cartography places emphasis on multisensual cognitive abilities and multidimensional symbolic interrelationships, and privileges performance as a primary mode of communication.

The book is separated into two main parts, with the first part presenting the basics of a Hawai‘i cartographic philosophy and the second part detailing three Kanaka Hawai‘i cartographic practices. The information presented in the main body of the text minimizes the use of jargon and complex terms, making it accessible for the educated lay-reader. Kanaka Hawai‘i Cartography is unique is its attention to Hawai‘i protocols of presentation, beginning with an entry chant, signifying the need to ask permission before entering any place, including a place of knowledge exchange such as a book. It ends with an epilogue – an expression of gratitude and humility, a challenge for the next generation to continue this work, and a closing mele expressing appreciation to all who have shared their wisdom so another generation may flourish.

Kanaka Hawai‘i Cartography will fill an important gap in Indigenous and Native Studies and will be welcomed by anyone interested in traditional forms of Kanaka Hawai‘i cartographic performances.

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2017

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fascinating! The author really expanded my understanding of indigenous knowledge systems as they pertain to different ways of representing spatial knowledge. And, although I often found it challenging to keep straight Hawai’i terms (the alphabet only uses 12 letters!), I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Hawai’i language. I’m a geographer who adores Hawai’i, so this was a great book for me.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best articulations of bringing Indigenous and Western epistemologies into conversation with one another. For those readers who are Pasifika, I imagine it will feel comforting to see the depth of our people's knowledge on full display. Also a must read for geographers.