In Memory of Joseph Keoho Bryant Nov 26, 2010 known as "Akule Joe' Bryant

Joseph Keoho "Akule Joe" Bryant

Age 69 of Hawaii Kai

Akule Joe a Master Lawai'a was a well loved and respected man of the sea among the 'na maka'ainana' in Hawai'i. I can still remember the time when he was watching me cut into a fish. Yes, that's right a fish for I was not very good at cutting into-- a fish. I was trying not to embarrass myself for I'm known not to have kitchen skills. It's just that all the men in my family prepare the food for the table in my family and I am treated as a 'princess'. I can't believe I am saying the word princess, ugh! My dad still wobbles when he walks and he will breathlessly go to the kitchen sink and stove and prepare my food. Ever since that reality check with Joe Akule, I count my blessings that I have a lot of fishermen in my family, community and on extended islands in Hawaii.

He is a blessed man with a beautiful family may they know that from all of us on the Waianae Coast he will be remembered as a fisher of men. Our Kilo's in Waianae will always have his presence for many generations to come, and they too the future Lawai'a will have access and 'holoholo' knowledge passed on to them because of 'Joe Akule'.

Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo,

The Westside

Tane,

It was Joe that had organized the fishermen in Hawaii back in the 70's for the first time--to come together and to do the right thing as far as the people and the environment. It was around the time that Coochie Coons was in full swing on the shores of Waianae. Soon after the Sand Island eviction came down and because of 'Akule Joe' everyone stood fast to the gathering and feeding all people.

Most old timers out here in Waianae and especially Koolauloa still have that sense of feeding the people from holoholo gathering a 2,000 year old tradition. I called Hauula to send my prayers to all the families.

The night that Pono Kealoha and I went to the Marine Spatial Planning forum at Aloha Tower--Akule Joe's name was mentioned that night. He was not only a master of the sea, but well respected too. I was surprised to note that the young men knew who he was which tells me that the torch was passed to the next generation. May his family be ever so loved for sharing.

Replies

Kaohi December 7, 2010 at 9:59pm

Tane,

It was Joe that had organized the fishermen in Hawaii back in the 70's for the first time--to come together and to do the right thing as far as the people and the environment. It was around the time that Coochie Coons was in full swing on the shores of Waianae. Soon after the Sand Island eviction came down and because of 'Akule Joe' everyone stood fast to the gathering and feeding all people.

Most old timers out here in Waianae and especially Koolauloa still have that sense of feeding the people from holoholo gathering a 2,000 year old tradition. I called Hauula to send my prayers to all the families.

The night that Pono Kealoha and I went to the Marine Spatial Planning forum at Aloha Tower--Akule Joe's name was mentioned that night. He was not only a master of the sea, but well respected too. I was surprised to note that the young men knew who he was which tells me that the torch was passed to the next generation. May his family be ever so loved for sharing.
Tane December 7, 2010 at 7:16am

Kauikeaouli always believed na lawai'a a me na mahi'ai were the backbone of the Kingdom. He was correct. It is good to pay tribute to the fishermen and farmers and the skills they pass on to the future generations. Kaohi, it is right to acknowledge such a person. Mahalo ia 'oe.

Tane

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