John Ka’ahakiule Jury - Cultural Practitioner
Ka’aha as we all refer to him graduated from Waianae High School in 1979 and entered the Air Force in 1980 for several years. He is currently employed as a Department of Defense employee with the 735 Air Mobility Squadron, U.S.A.F. at Hickam airfield (Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam). We all know Ka’aha for his deep commitment to Hawaiian culture and passion for making Hawaiian implements and woodworking. We have seen much of his work not necessary to showcase them but as makana. All the things I have seen him make is given away. That is a measure of who he is. That is the person I want you to know.Ka’aha is much respected for his woodwork in crafting of mea kaua, such as ihe, pahoa, ko’oko’o, kuia, lei ‘o mano, newa and many others. His knowledge in making cordage, for example the weaving of a ma’a or the Hawaiian sling, surpasses all others. He is a master weaver in the construction of a mahiole or helmet. I recently had the privilege of attempting trying out one of his holua sleds although I did not take him up on it.He is an avid caretaker of cultural landscapes and volunteers to malama many places such as the Na Mea Kupuno in Waialua, Malama Haiku in Kaneohe and of course the Kalaeloa Heritage Park. He participates in the annual Makahiki at places such as Kapuaikaula (Hickam Air Force Base), Waimanalo Makahiki at Bellow Air Force Base, the QLCC Hale Aha, the Makahiki at Punalu’u with Pakui-a-lua.Ka’aha is one of our extremely diverse Master Cultural Practitioners who will be putting on a workshop on learning how process kukui nut oil from obviously kukui nuts. He learned under the direction of Kumu Alapai Kahuena and will be sharing his knowledge with all of us at the 2nd Annual Kalaeloa Heritage Park Fundraiser Luau.Article by Shad Kane