Keaomelemele: Honoring the Elements

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.

Turtle Surfaces at Hula Conference

Honu iki, honu iki, lu'u ia, lu'u ia a ea mai me ka poho pa'akai.

Hawaiian String Figure Making Continues

A participant in Hana Hei II shows pride in her first attempt at hei (string figure making). She shows the classic Hawaiian hei figure, "Halekumuka'aha" , a house figure, which is created with a doubled string to show "strength and endurance". The opening move is unlike other symmetrical openings which posed a problem for almost all participants. This workshop was a first at the Ka 'Aha Hula o Hälauaola: 3rd World Conference on Hula held at the Kamehameha Schools this entire week.

Hana Hei at World Conference on Hula

Californian, Makaki'i Kalama, says this about hei (string figure making): "As an instructor to nä keiki all things that engage and involve them in hula are very valuable to me. It can also make me more popular on camping trips. :)" Here she is very happy upon getting "Nenue" (rudder fish), the Hawaiian version of One-eye.

Hana Hei at Hälauaola Conference

Julie Moana Boyd is exuberant at her first attempt at Hawaiian string figure making in my presentation at Hälauaola 2009. Here she makes 7 -eyes or "Nä Hiku o Makali'i". Julie is attending the 'Aha Hula o Hälauaola 2009: Worldwide Conference on Hula held this week of July at the Kamehameha Schools, Kapälama Campus. It is held every four years and features performances, cultural field trips, and presentations by noted composers, hula exponents, and Hawaiian cultural practitioners.

July is Keiki Hula Month

Congratulations to Elia Akaka who took 3rd in this year's Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition held from July 16th-18th. Elia enters singing "Aloha Ku'u Home a'i Kane'ohe" for his beloved home. Last year he impressed me with his strong ku'i!

Elia dances with Aunty Joan Lindsey and is the son of friends, Hau'oli and Ku'ulei Akaka. Elia's father , Hau'oli, and brother , Halehaku, accompanied Elia with strong and instrumentation.

Conratulations also to Master Keiki Hula 2009 Keanu Cockett of Halau Kekuaokala'au'ala'iliahi (kumu hula 'Iliahi and Haunani Paredes) of Maui and Miss Keiki Hula 2009 Kalehuaonalani Pavao Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina'ala of Kaua'i. Mahalo to Blaine Fergestrom of OHA for photo.

A Hula Journey - Aunty Dodie Holmes

On July 7th, Aunty Dodie Holmes was surprised with a hula program to celebrate her 30 years of hula (1979-2009). Hosted by Hälau Hula 'o Wai'ale'ale, under the direction of Kumu Hula John 'Aiwohi, a student of Aunty Dodie and a haumana oli/hula of mine. She was festooned with lei from her many students, friends, and family.
The program began with an original chant performed by hula brother and kumu hula, La'akapu Lenchanko. Two kumu hula, John Aiwohi and Aunty's hula brother, Andrew Akau from San Francisco entered the staging area at St. Pius church in Mänoa. Sue Botti danced a beautiful "Aia La 'o Pele", Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake's version as Aunty Dodie is also of the hula tradition. Next featured was a premiere of possibly Aunty Maiki's last choreographed number, "Pua Lei o Ha'o", which I taught the kumu to teach his women. Andrew's women of Hula Hälau 'o Kupukalau'ie'ie danced "E Ho'i Ke Aloha i Ni'ihau" and the kahiko program ended with "He Ma'i no Kunuiakea".
The 'auana portion featured Aunty Maiki's styling. John and his wife , Joy, began with a lively "Lae Lae". Costuming was flash and joy-ful. Aunty Dodie was very moved when her ladies of Nä Pua Pilialoha danced "Waikä". She was moved by all of the dances but she got up to dance "Pö La'ila'i" and also graced the audience with a solo of "Pua 'Ähihi".
Everyone enjoyed a Hawaiian lü'au after and the pineapple upside down cake before I had a chance to reach the table. Moral : get your dessert early at a lü'au.
Pïpï holo ka'ao.