By Ethan Chang — Duke’s Waikiki honored Nalani Kanaka‘ole and Sig Zane with the 2009 Ho‘okahiko Award for their significant contributions to the culture and traditions of Hawaii. Nalani, daughter of noted hula master, Edith Kanaka‘ole, continues to perpetuate the traditional Hawaiian hula and chant. She is the kumu hula of Halau O Kekuhi. Sig is an artist and cultural practitioner who designs and creates distinctive Hawaiian wear under the label, Sig Zane Designs. Sig was the designer for the uniforms worn by our Outrigger beachfront ‘ohana.
On March 19, friends, family, and business associates of Nalani and Sig were welcomed by Ross Anderson, Senior General Manager of Duke’s Waikiki; Kimberly Agas; and the Outrigger Waikiki management team. The award was extra special this year due to Sig’s and Nalani’s significant contributions in sharing their knowledge about the Hawaiian culture with the ‘ohana. In 2008, they conducted a workshop at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach on the ancient art of ‘ohe kapala, the Hawaiian art of printing on kapa. During the workshop, members of the ‘ohana had the opportunity to print their own kihei (cloak) depicting their mo‘olelo (story).

Commendations from Governor Linda Lingle, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, and Councilmember Charles Djou were shared to honor the couple. Friends from Maui and Hawaii flew in for the event, and media attending the event included John Berger, Lynn Cook, and Jocelyn Fujii.

Mahalo Duke’s Waikiki for continuing to acknowledge and help preserve Hawaii’s precious cultural traditions.

Kneeling: Robert Uchida and Lono Padilla Standing: Kimberly Agas, Kuha‘o Zane, Sig Zane, Nalani Kanaka‘ole Zane, Herman Lam, Lorna Benigo-Agtarap, and Shae Gallardo