News: Albert L. Refiti named as Professor
We are thrilled to announce that Lealiʻifano Albert Refiti has been promoted to Professor in AUT’s School of Art and Design.
In June, Principal Investigators of the Artefacts of Relations project, Albert L. Refiti and Rau Hoskins, along with researcher/videographer Emily Parr, travelled to Oʻahu to conduct interviews, site visits, and attend the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.
It was a full fortnight with events associated with FestPAC, the Hawaiʻi Triennial Arts Summit, a Capitol Modern exhibition opening, Dan Taulapapa McMullin’s book launch, a Kekahi Wahi film screening, and the Pacific Arts Association’s Hawaiian Futurisms symposium. One of the most special gatherings was an informal kava ceremony among friends, held near the shoreline by our host, Ty P. Kāwika Tengan.
For our research project, we documented the building of a hale waʻa at Kapukapuakea led by Francis Palani Sineci, and hale/fale/fare at the Polynesian Cultural Center and Bishop Museum. We recorded interviews with Pena (Bernard) Makoare, Sitiveni Fehoko, Francine Park Palama, Tiana Henderson, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Akac Orat, and Sean Connelly. FestPAC offered an invaluable opportunity to connect with builders and knowledge holders from the Moana and beyond.
