New book release: “Mele On The Mauna: Perpetuating Genealogies of Hawaiian Musical Activism on Maunakea”

University of Hawai‘i Maui College Associate Professor Dr. Joseph Keola Donaghy has announced the release of his first book, “Mele On The Mauna: Perpetuating Genealogies of Hawaiian Musical Activism on Maunakea.”

Donaghy documents and explores the role that musical performance and composition practice played in efforts to defend Maunakea against desecration and how these practices reflected the idea of kapu aloha among the kia‘i (protectors). The activism occurred in protest against construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. 

“I spoke with about 35 individuals, among them composers, performers, members of kia‘i leadership, students, other scholars and members of the university community who stood in defense of Maunakea,” Donaghy said. “I had no preconceived notions about particular themes or ideas going into the conversations – they emerged organically. I’m truly grateful for the trust and support of everyone who shared their experiences with me.”

In the days leading up to and the months following the arrest of kūpuna (elders) on July 17, 2019, musicians flocked to the mauna (mountain) to perform for the kia’i and a worldwide audience via social media. Haku mele (Hawaiian language poets/composers) created new songs at unprecedented levels, commercially releasing many of them with proceeds benefiting organizations providing support services and supplies to the kia’i.

“These people were following the compositional and performative practices of their ancestors before and after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and during the efforts to stop the US military from bombing Kaho‘olawe in the 1970s. Music contributed to both, documenting and performing resistance to those events,” explains Donaghy.

Donaghy will discuss the research and writing of “Mele On The Mauna” at several events in Hawai‘i including the following:

• Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at 1 p.m. – Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Campus Center, Ballroom #2
• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at 6 p.m. – University of Hawai‘i Maui College, Ka‘a‘ike Room 144
• Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at 6 p.m. – University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Mo‘okini Library

“Mele On The Mauna” is published by Indiana University Press (IU Press) as part of their series “Activist Encounters in Folklore and Ethnomusicology.” IU Press is one of the world’s most highly regarded academic publishers specializing in the humanities and social sciences. 

For more information, visit http://meleonthemauna.com/