Grand Hula Ho`ike "Nana I Ke Kumu E Ho`i Ka Piko ('Look to the Mentor, return to the Source')"
by Libby Burke
(Hilo, Hawaii)
Brothers and Kumu Hula Keith (l) and Kimo Awai prepare for Grand Ho`ike on August 7
D.C. HULA HALAU O `AULANI ARRIVES ON BIG ISLAND FOR HAWAIIAN STUDY PROGRAM
Halau O `Aulani from Alexandria, VA arrives Friday, July 31 for a week long Hawaiian Study Program, culminating in a Grand Ho`ike on Friday, August 7 at the UHH Performing Arts Center.
Two sister halau from Hawai`i will join them for the performance: Halau Hula Na Po`e Ao Hiwa from Hilo (Kumu Hula Kimo Awai) and Halau Kawaipuilani from Hale`iwa, `Oahu (Kumu Hula Keith Awai). The two Awai brothers became co-teachers of the Virginia halau in 2007 and have been traveling to the Washington, D.C. area every few months, offering intensive instruction to Halau O `Aulani. When Kumu Hula Kimo Awai invited Halau O `Aulani to come to Hawai`i Island and hold an immersion program for the study of Hawaiian culture, they jumped at the chance.
Halau O `Aulani has performed at many significant events in Washington, D.C., including the Presidential Inauguration and the June, 2009 re-dedication and lei draping of the King Kamehameha I statue, which has recently been moved to a location front and center in the new Emancipation Hall at the Nation?s Capitol. Halau O `Aulani also recently performed at the luau luncheon held for members of Congress on the White House lawn by President Obama.
Although many members of Halau O `Aulani are of Hawaiian descent, some have not returned to their native land in many years, and some of the youth have never been to Hawai`i at all. The group, with members as young as 6 years old, will visit significant geographical and cultural sites from Hamakua to Ka`u. They will learn about many aspects of Hawai`i Island, including the cultural use of Hawaiian plants, which they will gather to make hula adornments for their performance.
The Grand Ho`ike will be held at 7 p.m., with an optional dinner available at the UHH Cafeteria starting at 5 p.m. MCs will be Skylark Rosetti and Kimo Kahuanu. The program will open with a kanikapila style musical performance, including Diana Aki, Kanani Awai, Nani Na`ope, Keith Awai and Irvin Queha. The three halau will each perform a set, inspired by the theme ?Nana I Ke Kumu E Ho`i Ka Piko (?Look to the mentor and return to the source?)?. ?The Source? is described in the Hawaiian origin chant ?Kumulipo.?
Tickets are $35 for both the dinner and the show, or $15 for the show only. Tickets are available at the New Image Salon, 348 Kilauea, Hilo. Phone 935-5127 for reservations.
