Carver recognized as ‘living treasure’
Maui master carver Sam Ka’ai has been recognized as a “living treasure” by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
On Monday, OHA held its inaugural Na Mamo Makamae o Ka Po’e: Living Treasures of the Hawaiian People, a Native-Hawaiian community event that honored seven master practitioners and knowledge keepers.
Other honorees were: Patience Namaka Bacon of Oahu for hula; Josephine Fergerstrom of Hawaii Island for lauhala weaving; Marie McDonald of Hawaii Island for lei- and kapa-making; Nainoa Thompson of Oahu for navigation; Elizabeth Malu’ihi Ako Lee of Hawaii Island (posthumously) for lauhala weaving; and Abraham “Puhipau” Ahmad of Hawaii Island (posthumously) for videography and documentary filmmaking.