Music and Video Archive Preservation Project
The essential elements of Hawaiian culture have been passed on from generation to generation within the ‘ohana (family) in unwritten forms: chants, stories, music and dance.

Throughout the islands’ dramatic transition from monarchy to tourism-based economy, Hawaiian family structures have changed and evidence of the old traditions has become increasingly scarce. The Hawaiian Legacy Series Archive will document and preserve disappearing traditions, and ensure they remain accessible for future generations.

Examples of why this work is vital include:
   • Songs written in the later half of the 19th century were filled with poetry that is now rarely
      used in Hawaiian music. Through his research, Eddie Kamae has re-discovered and
      documented many of these songs.
   • The cadence of the Hawaiian language has also changed dramatically in the 20th century.
      Eddie has researched and recorded people still speaking in the traditional ways.
   • More than 30 of the people Eddie has interviewed & recorded have passed on. In many
      cases, Eddie’s recordings represent the best or only remaining record of their
      knowledge & wisdom.

The video tapes and audio tapes containing these uniquely Hawaiian rhythms, songs and stories are fragile, and could be lost forever. Photographs, original letters, original musical scores and lyrics must also be documented and cared for. These irreplaceable materials must be preserved.