HONOLULU (KHON2) — Flying kites is an international sport that draws thousands of competitors and spectators to competitions each year.
In Hawaii, mythology says that the demigod Maui invented kite flying, and the sport has prospered here through both land and ocean usage.
Hawaii has one flier who has made himself an internationally recognized expert in making kites, teaching other how to make kites and in competitive flying competitions.
His name is Kelvin Chun and KHON2.com was able to catch up with Kelvin while he was traveling via train in China, from one flying competition to another.
“It took 35 years to become a master from the apprenticeship program,” said Chun. “I am happy to describe my journey and the benefits of the Cultural Arts Apprenticeship program. My accomplishments from state to national and international festivals are the benchmarks of becoming a master.”
Chun explained that he has won 24 awards in Honolulu, and he received the 2024 Award of Excellence for outstanding performance in flying at the 41st Annual Weifang, China International Kite Festival on April 22.
“The kite went straight up, and they were amazed because most of the other kites were made out of material that flew more of a distance,” said Chun. “But I had a lightweight plastic and bamboo, and I applied fiberglass. So, I tried to do it with modern materials because I couldn’t bring the big bamboo and do the traditional kite.”
Chun said that 46 countries and over 400 kite maker and flyers came to compete.
“The opening ceremony had more than 20,000 people in attendance,” explained Chun. “It’s like the Olympics; we marched into the stadium by different countries. So, I represented the United States.”
But he isn’t stopping there. He is in transit to his next competition in China, the Hangzhou Kite Festival.
So, how did a local resident go from being a student kite maker to an internationally renowned, award-winning flier?
“I studied under Master Kite Maker, the Late Patricio Gongob,” said Chun. “Mr. Gongob has been a kite expert throughout his lifetime, learning the art in the Philippines. He entered numerous kite competitions in Hawaii and the US in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1971, his gigantic kites were on the cover of the Kite Tales magazine. To store these kites, they were either hung on the side of a two-story house or hung from the ceiling of their garage. The kites were launched with rope using about 13 men and brought to Kapiʻolani Park using a flat-bed truck.”
In 1989, Chun received a grant through the Hawaiʻi State Cultural Arts Foundation to learn as an apprentice under the master kite maker Gongob.
“The Folk Arts Program was created in 1983 with funds and planning support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts,” explained Chun. “Over 80 hours of hands-on learning time was generously provided by Mr. Gongob.”
He said the Folk Arts Program had the goal of identifying and documenting the diverse ethnic, cultural and occupational folk traditions in Hawai’i; to assist in the perpetuation of folk traditions in Hawai’i; and to promote public awareness of the beauty and value of folk arts in Hawai’i and the importance of preserving Hawai’i ‘s folk arts heritage.
For Chun, he took this valuable knowledge with him to his students. When Chun was a teacher at public schools in Hawaii, he taught his students all the lessons her learned, helping them to understand the joy of understanding about the practical application of science, math, art and history.
“I was a teacher from the 1980s to 2014, said Chun. “I used to have workshops for students, teachers, the community. I had all kinds of different workshops, but I retired from teaching in 2014. So, I’m just trying to enjoy life and find a purpose in life to enjoy and to contribute to society.”
You can find Chun via his website and YouTube channel where you can learn how to make kites and begin to develop a better understanding of the things that undergird this fun and exciting sport, science, math, art and history.
Well, what are you waiting for. There is lots of wind in the forecast; so, go forth and enjoy a day of flying kites up to the highest heights.