L to R: Kapuaʻala Sproat, Kaʻulu Luʻuwai, Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie, Susan Serrano

Ka Huli Ao’s November 2019 Maoli Thursday featured Dr. Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, the Dean of Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. He spoke about a seminal event in Hawaiʻi’s history, the ending of the ʻai kapu (religious eating restrictions) by Kamehameha II. The transition to ʻai noa (free eating) symbolized a shift away from old traditions and beliefs in a time of great and rapid change. Now, 200 years later, he reflected on the significance of that event and the influential role of the high ranking female chiefs involved, Kaʻahumanu and Keōpūolani.  The event was moderated by law student Kaulu Luʻuwai ’21.