Kumu Hula Leina'ala Kalama Heine told the audience from Hälauaola last night, "I am O'ahu". As the director of "Keaomelemele", putting on the production was a dream of hers and last night her dream came true. The production, based on the story by Moses Manu, replays tonight, July 31st at the historic Hawai'i Theatre.
The opening act features Snowbird Bento's men paying homage to the powers of Käne and Kanaloa. "....Käne represents the life giving source of us all. Kanaloa, the equipose of metaphysical and corporeal." Wow!
Keaomelemele comes from the yellow clouds to learn hula from her older sister, Paliuli (Pi'ilani Hanohano). Paliuli trains in the Wai'anae mountains and is joined in her training by the men of Nä Kamalei.
Modern touches are introduced into the otherwise traditional format with a contemporary rendition by 24 VII Dance Force and Küpono Aweau from "Do You Think you Can Dance" was front and center. Sky Perkins also sang a R&B rendition of a song for Ka'ala.
A highlight for me and the audience were the kaikamahine (young girls) who came unto stage confidently and w/o any cue from an adult went right into their hula kälä'au calling upon the various kinolau (body forms) that adorn the altar of the hula. While the plants were brought in, images were projected upon a large screen in the background. In fact, the large screen provided a backdrop for various scenes - valleys, cliffs, plains, and even the starry sky.
"Keaomelemele" , after all, is about the origins of hula on O'ahu and much of it was featured showcasing the classic Pualei o Likolehua stylings of Leina'ala Kalama Heine. Nani nö! Act IV ended with a rousing hula kälä'au to Keaomelemele herself with cast flowing en masse unto the state cantillating their praises to the beautiful young maiden.
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