Fakataha Pasifika with Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi - April 6-27, 2010

Fakataha Pasifika (weaving Pasifika together) is a 3-week celebration of the connections between Tonga, Hawai‘i, and the islands of the Pacific, through explorations – led by Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi –
into the ancient art of lalava and its modern expressions.

Sponsored by Pasifika Foundation Hawai‘i, the UH-Manoa Center for Pacific Island Studies, and Intersections (UH-Manoa Dept. of Art and Art History), Fakataha Pasifika will offer opportunities for students and
community members to learn more about lalava, the traditional Pacific
Island art form of lashing that was used to join and bind materials
together.

Tohi was born in Ngeleia, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and emigrated to Aotearoa/New Zealand in 1978. He has been a full time artist and sculptor since 1992 and is
firmly established as one of the leading contemporary Pacific visual
artists. Working across a range of media, including stone, wood, steel
and digital imagery, he seeks to expand upon and delve deeper into the
mysteries of the art of lalava. His work transforms technology of the
past into modern representations of identity and experience.

In his presentations and workshops, Tohi demonstrates how these geometric patterns, formed by the layers of wrapped coconut sennit, were a well-established part of daily life, and he describes how the lalava
patterns were a mnemonic device for representing a life philosophy.
Lalava patterns, says Tohi, advocated balance in daily living and were
metaphorical and physical ties to cultural knowledge.

FAKATAHA PASIFIKA SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(Schedule will be updated as more information is available)

Tuesday April 6
Classroom presentation, UH-Manoa Dept. of Art and Art History

Wednesday, April 7
PUBLIC EVENT – 6 p.m., lecture, Art Auditorium, UH-Manoa, O‘ahu
For more information: http://www.uhintersections.blogspot.com
or call 808-956-7700

Saturday, April 10
PUBLIC EVENT – 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2-4 p.m. (two sessions), Sculpture demonstration and
workshop, UH-Manoa Dept. of Art and Art History, O‘ahu
space limited, pre-registration required
To register: email Art
Dept.

Monday, April 12
PUBLIC EVENT – 4 p.m., lecture and presentation, UH-Hilo, room UCB
127, Hawai‘i Island.
For more information: contact Fiona McCormack, fionam@hawaii.edu,
808-974-7472

Tuesday, April 13
Classroom presentation, UH-Hilo, Hawai‘i Island

Wednesday, April 14
PUBLIC EVENT – 6:30-8:30 p.m., Evening Seminar, East-West Center, Honolulu, O‘ahu
For more information: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/education/student-programs/wednesday-evening-seminar/

Friday, April 16
Classroom presentations, Tongan language classes, UH-Manoa, O‘ahu

Saturday, April 17
Workshop for cultural practitioners and artists at Kahuwai in Puna, Hawai‘i Island

Sunday, April 18
PUBLIC EVENT – 9:30 a.m. to noon, workshop, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, Kona,
Hawai‘i Island
For more information: contact Jon Jokiel, Jon_Jokiel@nps.gov,
808-329-6881 ext.1329

Monday, April 19
Classroom presentations, Kanu o ka ‘Aina Hawaiian Academy, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island

Not To LATE TO CHECK IT OUT.Tomorrrow @10amSaturday, April 10PUBLIC EVENT – 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2-4 p.m. (two sessions), Sculpture demonstration and workshop, UH-Manoa Dept. of Art and Art History, O‘ahu... See Morespace limited, pre-registration requiredTo register: email Art Dept.... See MoreMonday, April 12PUBLIC EVENT – 4 p.m., lecture and presentation, UH-Hilo, room UCB 127, Hawai‘i Island.For more information: contact Fiona McCormack, fionam@hawaii.edu, 808-974-7472Tuesday, April 13Classroom presentation, UH-Hilo, Hawai‘i IslandWednesday, April 14PUBLIC EVENT – 6:30-8:30 p.m., Evening Seminar, East-West Center, Honolulu, O‘ahuFor more information: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/education/student-programs/wednesday-evening-seminar/Friday, April 16Classroom presentations, Tongan language classes, UH-Manoa, O‘ahuSaturday, April 17Workshop for cultural practitioners and artists at Kahuwai in Puna, Hawai‘i IslandSunday, April 18PUBLIC EVENT – 9:30 a.m. to noon, workshop, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, Kona, Hawai‘i IslandFor more information: contact Jon Jokiel, Jon_Jokiel@nps.gov, 808-329-6881 ext.1329Monday, April 19Classroom presentations, Kanu o ka ‘Aina Hawaiian Academy, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island