Hawai`i lost another of its living legends this last week.When Kumu John Keola Lake died, he left us a legacy rich in oli (chant) and mo`olelo (stories.)Kumu Lake was designated one of Hawai`i’s Living Treasures some time ago during his own lifetime and for good reason.He remarked more than once, "I am my culture."Not only did he carry forth ways of Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian) culture from the past, but showed us why they have direct application for our future.Moreover, Kumu Lake fulfilled one of his life’s missions well before he departed.He passed his knowledge and skills down to his haumana (students) so they were able to recreate it and teach others long before his health declined.Kumu Lake took pleasure in taking time to explain and teach anyone who was interested. He was indeed the very embodiment of aloha.He not only knew the deep meaning of what it is to be Kanaka Maoli, he also knew what it means to be human.We dedicate our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network to Kumu Lake’s memory and awesome lifetime achievements by rebroadcasting our Voices Of Truth interview with him this week and next.Be sure and sit down with your entire `ohana and watch our interview with him and you’ll see for yourself why he made such an impact on Hawai`i and it’s people.If you support our issues on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network, please email this to a friend and see below how you can help us continue our work.Remember, Voices Of Truth now airs on Maui on a brand new day – Mondays at 6:30 PM on Akaku, channel 53.It’s true it’s difficult to lose someone like John Keola Lake. But all our lives are richer for his being here, sharing in his knowledge and for having known him.His vision, mission and accomplishments live on for all the world to see this week on Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future.MONDAY, May 19th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, May 23rd At 5:30 PM –Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53“Continuing The Quest – A Visit With Earl Louis”Living his entire life of 43 years in Punalu`u, on Hawai`i Island, Earl has seen a lot of changes.Located in the district of Ka`u, he tells us Punalu`u sees more development and tourists practically every day.A fierce advocate for preserving the last uninhabited coastline on Hawai`i Island, Earl knows both the good and bad news - Punalu`u is not only beautiful but easily accessible.“Why should we cater to people who want to destroy this land with more resorts and condominiums?”That’s the question Earl confronts on a daily basis.Fertilizers from resort golf courses flow to the ocean, killing off the limu (seaweed) that is food for both the fish and Hawksbill turtle that come to nest on Punalu`u beaches and lay their eggs.Earl’s mission of trying to save the entire eighty-mile coastline might seem daunting to some.To him, it’s simply what must be done.Join us in our amazing visit with Earl and you’ll experience what we did - a humble man whose words stay with you a very long time - “This is what the ancestors left for us thousands of years ago. We need to educate our visitors. They don’t know how special and sacred this `aina is. Development is not the only answer.”MONDAY, MAY 19th At 6:30 PM –Maui – Akaku, Channel 53“Eyes Of The Kupuna – A Visit With Aunty Pele Hanoa”Imagine living next to a beautiful black sands beach, a place you’ve lived your entire life.Nature is at your door. The ocean, the beach, endangered turtles use the area coming ashore to breed.Now also imagine tour buses pulling up next to your home and brining one thousand tourists a day. That’s right, one thousand tourists every single day.Tourists who harass the turtles, steal the sand for souvenirs, leave litter, and behave obnoxiously.How would you like to put up with that every day of your life?Aunty Pele does.Born and raised in Punalu`u, she’s a prime example of old Hawai`i - staying on the land where you were born, because you were taught from an early age to malama the `aina – care for your ancestral land.All around her things are changing – and not for the better. Multi-national corporations building developments on the shore and then stealing the water from agricultural lands for their projects.Yet none of this stops her.Be sure and catch our visit with Aunty Pele. You’ll be as inspired as we were by this remarkable kupuna who stops at nothing and whose message is one you’ll long remember – “We accepted everyone who came to Hawai`i. Now they should reciprocate by protecting and caring for what we have.”THURSDAY, May 22nd At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, May 23rd At 8:30 AM –Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52SATURDAY, May 24th At 8:00 PM –O`ahu - `Olelo, Channel 53“Keeping The Old Ways Alive – A Visit With Kumu John Keola Lake”A true living legend, Kumu John Lake, who passed away recently, lived his heritage.For more than four decades he shared his knowledge of Hawaiian language, hula and chant. And he did it with a geniality that drew people to him, that makes you recall the kupuna of old.Because of his deep love for the culture, it came out in his personality, the way he taught and shared information. He made you want to be informed and live it that way yourself.Why then is it so important to bring the knowledge of the past to the present? What messages do our ancestors have waiting for us to learn today?Join us in our visit with Kumu Lake, an incomparable wellspring of knowledge who made a priceless impact on so many, as he shows us why the lessons of old are the keys to success for our Nation today.Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.Please consider a donation today to help further our work. Every single penny counts.You may donate via PayPal at VoicesOfTruthTV.com or by mail –The Koani FoundationPO Box 1878Lihu`e, Kaua`i 96766If you missed a show, want you see your favorites again or you don’t live in Hawai`i, here’s how to view our shows anytime – visit VoicesOfTruthTV.com and simply click on the episodes you wish to view.And for news on issues that affect you, watch FreeHawaiiTV.com.It’s all part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.
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