Bishop Museum Welcomes 48th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the State of Hawai'i Museum of Natural and Cultural History, in partnership with the Hoʻopili Tribal Council, is pleased to once again welcome the Honolulu Intertribal Powwow to its Great Lawn. The event will be held on two days, Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

"A Native American powwow is a social gathering of friends, relatives, and the community to celebrate cultural traditions through music, songs, dancing, and food," said Lisa Kaʻanoʻi, Hoʻopili Tribal Council president. "It's been described as a homecoming, a reunion of family, a spiritual healing, expression of life, enriching, and good medicine. The sounds of the drum are described as the heartbeat of mother earth and our connection to honor our ancestors."

"The annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow, now in its 48th year, celebrates Native American heritages, passes on Indigenous traditions, builds communities, and shares Native American cultural diversity," shared Kaʻanoʻi.

"Bishop Museum has long been a place where people from all over the world can come to share and celebrate different cultures and perspectives, especially the diversity of Indigenous voices," said Brandon Bunag, Ed. D., Bishop Museum vice president of public programs and interim director of education. "We are appreciative of our partnership with the Hoʻopili Tribal Council in bringing the Honolulu Intertribal Powwow to our historic campus, in the ahupuaʻa of Kapālama and in the ʻili ʻāina of Kaiwiʻula."

The Intertribal Powwow expects to bring hundreds of participants from across the country to Bishop Museum. Featured representatives include:

• *Head Man Dancer:* Baac Garcia – Tohono O'odham Nation from Sells, Arizona
• *Head Woman Dancer:* Kat Warren – Dine' Native from Red Mesa, Utah
• *Emcee:* Randy Medicine Bear – Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sicangu of South Dakota
• *Arena Director:* Jerod Pushetonequa – Meskwaki Nation from Tama, Iowa
• *Host Drum:* Maswadae from Fort McDowel, Yavapai Nation in Arizona
• *Guest Drum:* Red Earth Singers from Tama, Iowa

Event highlights include:

• *Dance and Drumming:* Immerse in traditional and contemporary dancing, drumming, and singing. Feel the heartbeat as you participate in social songs and dances.
• *Delicious Eats:* Savor Navajo frybread, tacos, and local Hawaiian food truck offerings. Cool down with shave ice treats and refreshing fruit and iced tea beverages.
• *Children's Activities:* The children's activity booth offers engaging and educational craft projects to take home.
• *Art and Craft Vendors:* Explore handcrafted silver and turquoise jewelry, handbags, blankets, dreamcatchers, and other Native items.
• *Community Engagement:* Learn about relevant Indigenous community issues from educational, informational, health, and non-profit groups.

The Intertribal Powwow features a discounted Museum admission of $5 per person, per day. Bishop Museum Members receive free admission with pre-registration and membership ID. Admission includes access to the Museum's galleries and exhibitions. More information can be found on the Museum's Events Calendar page, BishopMuseum.org/Events.