A series of three “talk story” sessions on Hawaii’s History with North Kohala historian Boyd D. Bond begins Monday at North Kohala Public Library in Kapaau.
The 6:30 p.m. session will focus on “Wai and Kai: Water in Hawaii.” Bond will compare traditional water use to the way water is used in Hawai’i today.
“Water is wealth in Hawaii, providing food and life itself. Both fresh and salt water are home to endemic species of wildlife, yet, only 10 percent of the streams in Hawaii flow year round and droughts occur frequently. Kanawai, the Hawaiian word for ‘law’ in modern Hawaii, was the ancient code dictating water usage, literally—sharing water,” Bond says.
In the second presentation on Sept. 12, Bond will describe “George Vancouver and his four voyages to Hawaii.” For the final program on Oct. 10, Bond will discuss “Ku’e Petitions, early Hawaiian opposition to annexation.” Each hour-long presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Bond’s knowledge of Hawaii’s history stems from his academic studies and from a lifetime spent in Hawaii as a sixth generation descendent of early western settlers in Hawaii. Boyd was raised in Hawaii in a sugar plantation family, living on plantations throughout the state.
Info: 889-6655.