This July we saw the return of the “hula recital” a sharp contrast to hula competition event. The non-competitive format allows hula academies to feature their particular style and also to feature multi generations of hula students.
On July 3rd we began with ‘Ahahui Ka'iulani presenting Hälau Hula ‘o Maiki under the direction of Kumu Hula (hula teacher) Coline Aiu, daughter of the renown founder and originator of the terms “hula brother and hula sister”as well as the form of hälau hula (hula academy) as we know today. Kumu Coline brought back the beautiful plumeria lei curtain which wafted its fragrance towards the audience when pulled forward and upward. A highlight in the kahiko (traditional) section for me was the performance of a hula commemorating the return of Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake’s famed and squat ipu hula (gourd drum) named “Tubby”. The ‘auana was superb, exquisite, and exciting and, of course, the children stole the show with their “Happy Talk” sung by Aunty Maiki on tape and other cute hula. Parents were standing for their keiki. I especially liked the ‘ukulele ensemble featuring the brothers and male members of many of the female ‘ölapa. They also played some wicked tö'ere!
A favorite section of mine opened with chanter Kawika Napoleon giving a genealogical recital of our Hawaiian ancestors then bridging into a recitation of the genealogy of the present Mäori King, Tuheitia, ali'i nui of Tainui. The King’s sister, Princess Tomairani Paki, was in the audience with her entourage and it was Tomai who came to Hawai’i to learn the hula and it is through her that the relationship between Hälau Hula ‘O Maiki and the people of Waikato deevelped. Obrien ‘Eselu sang a beautiful, beautiful song, “Mahinarangi”, the female ancestor of the present King and his family. The hälau , dressed in moonlit white, drifted into place behind the trademark Hälau Hula ‘o Maiki scrim. They concluded with a waiata a ringa, “Purea Nei e Te Hau”, which speaks of cleansing by the rain and purity of the sun. It was very moving.
On July 11th, Hälau Hula Kamamolikolehua presented its hö'ike (show/recital), “Kupu A'e” which featured their kumu hula who graduated last summer under the traditional ‘Üniki rites. I attended this to appreciate the work of the kumu hula, Pöhai Souza, and one of her kumu hula graduates, Aunty Dodie Keaolaniäkea Holmes, whom I just admire a bunch for her inimitable Aunty Maiki style of hula ‘auana. Other kumu hula graduates were Carol Malina Kaulukukui and Catherine Ostrem. My favorites were “Hole Waimea”, “He Inoa no Ali'iolani” (because it is seldom seen), and “Holo ana ‘o Kaläkaua”, a version they learned from Kumu Hula Ab Valencia of Volcano, Hawai'i Island. The presentation of “Hälau Hanalei” to an ensemble of the best sounding pahu I have ever heard still revirberates in my soul. The ho'opa'a (musicians) beat upon the pahu with feeling and the song was filled with tone , timbre, and energy. The program stated, “This hula pahu contains poetic inferences to lovemaking, which Hawaiians honored as a source of life.”
The ‘auana (modern hula) set featured the stock Hälau Hula ‘o Maiki favorites like “Pua ‘Ähihi” , “Alekoki” and , of course, Aunty’s own composition, “Aloha Kaua’i”, which was the finale piece de resistance. Premiered were “Halekulani” by Kahauanu Lake and Maddy Lam. Uncle K as he is affectionately called was in the audience appreciating it all. The Greenwell family also attended to see and hear the hula, “Mähulani”, written for Jimmie and Martha greenwell’s 55th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Greenwell was in the audience. My personal favorite was “Beauty Hula” for its simplicity and choreography with ‘ili'ili (stone castanets) and because the ladies were clad in the seldom seen kïkepa (“sarong”) which was of a kupukupu fern green color.
Its take a lot of work to put on such a recital so much kudos and mahalo goes to the two hälau. Family, friends, and the broader community benefits from these performances and as both kumu hula told its audiences, it is their way of preserving and perpetuating the art of and love for hula which was passed on to them. Pëlä nö. Pïpï holo ka'ao.
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