 from Hawaii's Island Server, August 2000
All over the mainland – indeed, all over the world – hula halau are proliferating. Many are owned and operated by former kama'aina, people who left Hawaii physically, but never spiritually. Some are owned by folks who have never seen a green ocean or walked on soft sand. For various reasons, people thousands of miles away from these islands are deeply connected to the music, movement and lifestyle of hula.
Several things profoundly demonstrate that connection. First, let's look at the Web site created by Menehune Connections, a San Jose company. This might just be the best halau listing on the Web. It includes contact information and links, where available, for halau from 32 states, eight foreign countries, and the Hawaiian islands. I was also impressed by the Grinds & Stuff section, with state-by-state listings of Hawaiian restaurants, music stores, lei shops, clothing boutiques, and more. There's a good calendar here, too, with everything from Polynesian dance workshops in Michigan to hula competitions in Las Vegas.
Several events in Hawaii have been organized to recognize the achievements and skills of mainland and international halau. The World Invitational Hula Festival, attracts haumana – hula students - from all over the world. When I attended this festival several years ago, I watched the performance of a halau made up almost entirely of African-American women from some inner city. Though they likely learned their foot positions on concrete floors, their mana was true - those ladies had the spirit of the dance. This year's festival will take place on November 9-11 at the Waikiki Shell.
The first World Conference on Hula will be held from July 29 - August 4, 2001 in Hilo. Pualani Kanaka`ole Kanahele, kumu hula of the Big Island's Halau o Kekuhi, first conceived this ambitious event, which will include workshops for creating clothing and implements, hula exhibitions, a ho`ike, and more. The Web site is striking, with elements designed by Nelson Makua. A pre-registration form and bulletin board are also available.
"As we continue the planning process, we'll update the site with descriptions of the workshops," Leina`ala Thornton, registration manager for the conference, informed me. She added that papers, journals, photos and a final report will be uploaded to the site after the event.
Faraway haumana need a reliable source of all things hula. Many of them count on Hula Source. Malia Moran, the primary owner of this Honolulu-based online store, said her intent is to make education available to members of off-island halau, especially those who wish to learn about the Hawaiian culture and language. Most of her clients are from mainland halau, but Moran also has international customers and clients in the military.
The Hula Source site contains a collection of pages dedicated to music of the hula. Each selection includes a careful description written by Ward Yamashita, who managed Hungry Ear in Kailua and on Makaloa Street in Honolulu for 10 years. Yamashita has compiled a huge database of Hawaiian music. "Because of his knowledge we are able to offer things that most people don't know are available," said Moran.
Though Hula Source offers coconut bras and cellophane skirts for the casual dancer, this site has a very good, comprehensive selection of hula implements made by local artisans for serious troupes – including an elaborate set of ka`eke`eke, stamping tubes consisting of bamboo poles of varying thicknesses and lengths, each tuned to a different pitch. The tubes are created by Calvin Hoe of the Waiahole Poi Factory. Hoe's ipu heke, double gourd drums, are among the most coveted prizes at the Merrie Monarch each year.
Those familiar with the migratory patterns of Hawaii's expatriates won't be surprised to learn that many of the mainland halau are in California; the Menehune listing includes almost 150 troupes and instructors. Nostalgic kama`aina and sincere wannabes have imbued the Golden State with an enthusiastic aloha spirit.
Patrick Makuakane of San Francisco halau Na Lei Hulu I ka Wekiu may be the most controversial of the mainland kumu hula. With his troupe's Hawaii Theatre performance this past March of "The Natives are Restless – Ke Akua", Makuakane demonstrated his hula mua, which blends traditional dance movements with non-traditional music. Makuakane's halau is well known in the Bay Area; the Ke Akua production earned him the prestigious Isadora Duncan Dance Award in 1998. His Web site is carefully crafted and beautifully designed.
I asked Makuakane what motivates people who have never seen Hawaii to immerse themselves in hula. "I think at first it may be curiosity," he said. Then he reflected on his own students. "They see a performance and are inspired by it. When they start, they see that it goes much deeper – they see the spirituality, respect and integrity I try to maintain in my halau."
Makuakane believes that most mainland halau are operated with integrity; he explained that even the simplest things – a lei greeting, for example – have poignant significance when seen through the eyes of an expatriate. "It is so meaningful," he said. "Being away from home, hula serves as our connecting device."
Sites To See
Menehune Connections
World Invitational Hula Festival
World Conference on Hula - Ka`Aha Hula`o Halauaola
Hula Source
Na Lei Hulu I ka Wekiu (Kumu Patrick Makuakane)
Caroline Wright, of
WRIGHT FOR YOU
Word Services, is a freelance writer. A former resident of Hawaii, she now
lives in rural South Carolina. Feel free to e-mail your comments to Caroline
at
kiihele@wrightforyou.com.
 |