Bill Text: HI HR185 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Resolution 185 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Honoring Robert Lopaka Kapanui For His Dedication And Passion To Perpetuating Hawaii's Rich Cultural Legacy And History Through The Art Of Storytelling.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-11 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR185 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HR185-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	185
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

HONORING ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI FOR HIS DEDICATION AND PASSION TO PERPETUATING HAWAI�I'S RICH CULTURAL LEGACY AND HISTORY THROUGH THE ART OF STORYTELLING.

WHEREAS, for 20 years, ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI has been sharing more than Hawaiian ghost stories; he has helped to preserve local culture, history, language, and folklore through his storytelling and knowledge of the islands' history and legends; and

WHEREAS, ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI is a native Hawaiian storyteller, writer, actor, kumu hula, and cultural practitioner, as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, and even a former professional wrestler; sometimes known as "The Ghost Guy," he says his expertise has come through research, personal experience, and others who share their stories with him; and

WHEREAS, born and raised on O�ahu, he spent his childhood summers in Wainaku on Hawai�i Island and visited Maui frequently with his family; he grew up hearing legends and ghost stories from his kupuna, which were passed on to him through mo�olelo, mouth to ear, sitting at the feet of his mother and aunt; and

WHEREAS, he learned of the night marchers who only appeared during a particular moon phase and why to never share food with anyone while walking through a haunted place; he learned the proper prayers for ceremonial blessings, to enter or leave a sacred place, to ask for protection or forgiveness, and the importance of intent; he was also taught that this legacy would be passed down to his family one day; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI went on a ghost tour with tour creator and renowned author of the "Obake Files" and "Chicken Skin" ghost story series, Glen Grant; at the time, he had no idea he was about to meet his future mentor, the man who would change the course of his life; and

WHEREAS, ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI quickly realized the stories Grant told were the same that his kupuna had shared with him, but bolstered by documentation and history; Grant had spent thirty years collecting stories about ghosts and spirits, adamant about researching every story and fact and instilling this practice in ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI, accepting nothing less than excellence; and

WHEREAS, through Mysteries of Hawai�i, ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI followed in the footsteps of his friend and mentor to honor the the man who meant so much to him, carrying on Hawai�i's rich history of ha�i mo�olelo by sharing his tales and serving as a repository of our culture and history; and

WHEREAS, Mysteries of Hawai�i also gives back to the community by supporting the Special Olympics and Project Graduation, storytelling at public schools and libraries to support literacy, and sharing at Camp �Anuenue, a childhood cancer program; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawai�i, Regular Session of 2020, that this body hereby honors ROBERT LOPAKA KAPANUI on his standing as one of Hawai�i's foremost storytellers; commends him for his dedication and passion for perpetuating Hawai�i's rich history through the treasured art of storytelling; and expresses its heartfelt aloha, mahalo, and best wishes to him for continued joy, fulfillment, and happiness in his endeavors.