Kūkulu, A Tribute to the Pillars of Mauna a Wākea is a compilation album of prayers, chants, songs and spoken word poetry paying tribute to the stance for the protection of Mauna a Wākea (Mountain of Sky Father), also known as Mauna Kea. Many of the selections were contributed by Kiaʻi (Protectors) who spent 2019-2020 on the Ala Hulu Kupuna, the Mauna Kea Access Road, participating in the daily ʻAha ritual and in all efforts to safeguard this sacred mountain. In acknowledgment, recognition and honor, we lift up Mauna a Wākea and all Kūkulu (Pillars), past, present and future. May your heart be filled and may each of you be taken on a journey back to the Ala in ceremony once again.
Mauna Kea Education and Awareness (MKEA) extends a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who made this compilation album possible, including the MKEA Hui and all composers, musicians, chanters, singers, family members, protectors, friends, supporters, and relations in Hawaiʻi and beyond. All lyrics and supplemental information are available on www.mkea.info. Selections are included in the feature film, Standing Above the Clouds. All proceeds are donated to MKEA for the protection of Mauna a Wākea and other sacred places here in Hawaiʻi and everywhere around the world.
Producers: Pua Case, Shawn Pimental, Sonny Lim
Featured Artists: Hāwane Rios, Lorna Lim, Wehilei Lim-Ryder, Makaiwa Kanui, Kuʻulei Music, Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole, Lanakila Mangauil, Chadd ʻOnohi Paishon, Pomai Bertelmann, Brother Mikey, Bethany Billowus, Pua Case and a collective of chanters, singers and musicians assembled to pay tribute to the pillars of Mauna Kea.
Sponsored by Mauna Kea Education and Awareness, Hawaiʻi Peoples Fund, Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples.
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Mahalo!
We are so grateful to have made it to the final ballot in the Graphics Category! This beautiful photo is one of two of the inside cover photographs from KŪKULU. It was taken by a mother of her daughter who had asked to be driven to the ahu at Puʻuhuluhulu that day to offer the water to Poliʻahu that she had collected from the rains falling on Waikoloa. This photograph inspired the first KŪKULU Traveling Art Exhibition in 2018. No Kahailimauna, he inoa.
It is a pleasure and honor to be included in this Nā Hōkū Hanohano ʻohana.
Find links to the lyrics below.