Children and parents at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center got a lesson in Hawaiian storytelling on July 23 as part of the library’s “Unearth A Story” summer reading series, according to InMaricopa.
Presenter Janelle Gomez, owner of Learn with Aloha, explained how Hawaiian petroglyphs and hula can be used to tell stories and pass down lessons. She said the traditions were shared through oral storytelling and dance, with morals that often included messages like listening to parents or being brave.
Gomez also described petroglyphs, known in Hawaiian as “ki’i pohaku,” and said they can be used to reflect cultural stories. She told the audience the rock carvings may have been made for reasons including religion, communication with travelers, storytelling or as an early form of written language.
The program was a family effort, with Gomez’s husband, Jonathan, and their three daughters taking turns performing hula while she led the educational portion. The children later joined in a dance and then made their own petroglyph stories using handmade stencils.
Gomez said she feels a responsibility to share her culture with the Maricopa community and described that effort as part of the Hawaiian concept of “pono,” or righteousness.
