{"id":239134,"date":"2026-08-18T15:48:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=239134"},"modified":"2026-08-19T13:13:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T23:13:03","slug":"ai-mama-at-windward-cc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/18\/ai-mama-at-windward-cc\/","title":{"rendered":"ʻAI MAMA: A journey through Hawaiian mentorship and tradition at Windward CC<\/abbr>"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Cultural
Photograph of Suluʻape Keone Nunes, master cultural practitioner. (Photo by Kapulani Landgraf)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How is cultural knowledge received, carried and ultimately passed on?<\/p>\n

\"\u014clohe
Photograph of ʻ\u014clohe G. ʻUmi Kai, master cultural practitioner. (Photo by Kapulani Landgraf)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A new exhibition at Gallery ʻIolani<\/span><\/a> at Windward Community College<\/a> explores that question through the lifework and lived experiences of master cultural practitioners ʻ\u014clohe<\/span> G. ʻUmi<\/span> Kai and Suluʻape<\/span> Keone Nunes.<\/p>\n

Through photographs, storytelling, selected works and cultural materials, the exhibition explores how ʻike<\/span> (knowledge) is carried, embodied, practiced and shared across generations.<\/p>\n

“ʻAI<\/span> MAMA: The Transmission of Knowledge Through the Lifework of ʻ\u014clohe<\/span> G. ʻUmi<\/span> Kai and Suluʻape<\/span> Keone Nunes” runs August 25–December 11, 2026. An opening reception will be held Friday, September 11, from 4–7 p.m. Admission is free.<\/p>\n

The title ʻAI<\/span> MAMA refers to the process of chewing food and sharing it with, or giving it to, another. Within the exhibition, the act becomes a metaphor for the transmission of knowledge–what is received is worked through, understood, embodied and passed on.<\/p>\n

Kai and Nunes come from distinct cultural lineages, but their respective practices share a commitment to the continuation of ʻike<\/span>. Their work reflects years of learning, observation, discipline and relationships, as well as responsibility to those who came before them and those who will follow.<\/p>\n

Sharing knowledge<\/h2>\n
\"tattoo
Photograph of tattoo work by Keone Nunes. (Photo by Kapulani Landgraf)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Knowledge is not something we simply possess,” said Kapulani Landgraf, curator and director of Gallery ʻIolani<\/span>. “It comes to us through others, and with that comes a responsibility to carry it forward. ʻAI<\/span> MAMA is about that process of receiving, learning, practicing and ultimately sharing what has been entrusted to us.”<\/p>\n

Co-curated by Landgraf and Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, ʻAI<\/span> MAMA is the second in a four-part Gallery ʻIolani<\/span> exhibition series centered on Hawaiian mentorship and the transmission of ʻike<\/span>. The series explores the role of mentorship, relationship and kuleana (responsibility) in sustaining Hawaiian knowledge and cultural practice.<\/p>\n

Public programs, artist conversations, workshops and community gatherings will accompany the exhibition from September through December.<\/p>\n

Gallery ʻIolani<\/span> is open Tuesday–Saturday, 12:30–4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Learn more at gallery.windward.hawaii.edu\/ai-mama\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover the profound ways ancient wisdom nurtures growth for coming generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":239227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[156,33,71,66],"class_list":["post-239134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-gallery-iolani","tag-hawaiian","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-windward-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t