On March 26 and March 27, ʻAha Wahine Kūhinapapa hosted the Haumea Chronicles: “Revealing Haumea within every wahine” at the Palikū Theatre at Windward Community College (WCC). Kaʻiulani Odom, Program Director of Roots, and Puni Jackson, Program Director of Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, were on the organizing committee. They also took part in the performances. About 500 people attended during the two days.

The Haumea Chronicles’ origins date back to 2012, when 600 Native Hawaiian women met to learn, experience and share during the two day ‘Aha Wahine Kūhinapapa conference. The ʻAha Wahine Kūhinapapa hui formed in 2011, with the goal of providing professional, personal, and cultural development while supporting the overall wellbeing of Native Hawaiian women. The conference included many presentations and workshops. During the last evening of the conference, ten women shared performances featuring song, poetry, and skits. There have been many requests to do it again over the years, and the group was able to secure funding to make it happen.

At WCC, 17 women partook in 12 different acts, featuring comedy, poetry, oli, and film. All aspects of womanhood and femaleness were explored, dealing with everything from birth, to coming of age, to the way people were raised. Song and dance filled the stage, along with documentaries, such as a film about surfing from a Native Hawaiian woman’s perspective. Dramatic readings encompassed what it is like to be a young girl. Mother and daughter talked about relationships and how they are each experienced individually and together. For Kaʻiulani and Puni’s session, they focused on the subject of birth. They presented an oli and slides of Hawaiian women from their cultural birthing class. These images depicted birth in a variety of methods and spaces. Families were empowered to have the births they desired.

The Haumea Chronicles took part over two days. The first day was for the hale peʻa, or wahine only, while the second night was for the kauhale, open to all. The women really appreciated the opportunity and connections, the ability to laugh, cry, share and experience together. On the second day, men felt the importance of listening deeply to the performance to have a better understanding of feelings and experiences through the lens of women. After the performance, facilitators opened “afterglow” sessions, where they could offer spaces for deeper discussion, laughter, tears, and emotional support.

The reaction to the Haumea Chronicles was amazing. Those who attended were able to relate to and address things that were said on stage. People clearly want to see another Haumea Chronicles, perhaps on the neighbor islands, where they can invite home town presenters. “There was nothing but positive comments,” Kaʻiulani Odom says. “People laughed and cried, really feeling what each act was trying to portray. Although the show was over three hours, the attendees stated they wanted more. Backstage, the presenters supported each other, with lots of laughter, hugs and support. Spending weeks together led to discussion, healing, and a great performance where the audience could authentically connect to each performer. We made connections that will last a lifetime.”