Kathy Long

Hula Halau

In "Hula Halau," meaning house of dance, members of Halau O Kekuhi, under the guidance of kumu hulas (teachers) Nalani and Pua Kanakaole, stand ready to dance at the Kilauea Volcano. After the death of their month, Edith Kehuhikuhipuuoneonaaliiokohala Kenao Kanakaole, the two sisters joined together to continue passing on their mother's legacy. They hold their home to be Kilauea, and claim ancestry with Pele herself.

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Pau Hula

$ 50–$ 1,500

While most people who visit Hawaii experience some form of hula (some of it very good) in their evenings of Polynesian Luau shows, in reality, hula exists casually at real family and community gatherings all over the Hawaiian islands. It is also performed with intense perfection at hula competitions, such as the Merrie Monarch Festival, where planning and practice for performing two dances, one ancient and one modern, can take a year. Pau Hula represents that final moment when that year culminates to thunderous applause, as thousands of hours, exhausted muscles, bloody knees, and tired feet all come together in a perfect performance.

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Kumupa’a

$ 50–$ 1,500

The word “kumupa’a” means “To be built on a strong foundation of the past”. The Moku O Keawe Festival and Competition is the only international competition requiring performances in both Kahiko (ancient) and Auana (modern) styles. Great attention is paid, not only to beauty, skill and grace, but to language and interpretation. It is a strong foundation upon which the culture of hula will continue to grow.

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Ehu

$ 50–$ 1,500

In "Ehu" (red), three members of the Halau of Kehuki, wearing the color of lava that flows from Kilauea volcano, dance at the caldera's edge.

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Kahu O Makou

$ 50–$ 1,500

"Kahu o makou 'o makou noa e..." ("We call upon God to inspire and free us!")

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Dog Dance

$ 46

This was a spine chilling dance where the warriors depicted dogs of war. They are wearing boar tusk wristlets that were used in war to protect their wrists and dog tooth shin guards. The dog tooth guards have also been used a musical instruments in kahiko hula. This took place at Puukohola.

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Chant in the Forest

$ 50

The image "Chant in the Forest" is from a performance held in 1988 at Volcano National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. The unusual site is the traditional hula platform built in the young grove of rare native koa trees near the caldera's edge. Depicted are two of Hawaii's living treasures, Nalani and Pua Kanaka'ole.

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Twin Falls

$ 50–$ 1,500

This is the 3^rd image in my Tropical Ladies series. If you are wondering where those falls are they are part of the river that runs through the Akaka Falls Park. I loved the mossy rocks and dappled light. I don’t actually make the ladies go with me to these areas but take photos of details that I want to include in the paintings. It might take six or seven different photographs to make up one painting.

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Chant in the Forest

$ 64

Auntie Pua Kanaka’ole Kanahele told me once, “We are a part of the elements, the environment.” To me this image of her and her sister, Nalani Kanaka’ole depicts that essence. These two daughters of Edith Kanaka’ole and Kumu Hula of Halau o Kekuhi are committed to perpetuating the Hawaiian culture. This is one of my favorite drawings as I feel that it resonates with how I feel about hula.

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Pa’ana A Ka La

$ 36

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A Ka Luna O Kilauea

$ 50–$ 1,500

This image was done at the same time as “Breath of Kilauea”. At the Fire Pit’s edge the heat must have been intense. If you look closely you will see the birds riding the hot air currents as if they were at an amusement park! Against the dark sky the colors of her ancient pa’u skirt and the steam from the vents were startling.

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Mana

$ 30

One of my favorite stories is how the image “Mana” came about. I was doing a photo shoot with the Lim family, as I was illustrating a book about Hawaiian hula movements. Nani is the Kumu, but for some reason she had to leave the beach and run back up to the car for something. Lorna and I were talking and I said that while we had been doing some pretty straightforward thing like woman, ocean, palm tree and bay… how would one translate something without form… for example the word “mana”, which mean more or less, “Heavenly Power”?

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Ka Hula

$ 50

If your image of the hula is that of graceful hips and cellophane skirts, you are missing what is the best of Hawaii. To me it is the Kane, the men of the Hula that make it amazing. Their power and strength, speed and perfection that keep people coming back, year after year, to the Merrie Monarch.

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Crater’s Edge

$ 50–$ 1,500

Kilauea, at the Fire Pit, home of the Godess Pele, is where I first experienced “kahiko” or ancient hula. In 1983 I witnessed an array of descriptive chants accompanied by hula, recounting the stories of centuries of Pele’s history and linage. Afterwards the “kumu hula”, the Kanakaole sisters, stood at the caldera’s edge, smoke and mist tangling their hair, looking at home in this awesome place, as if they were part of the landscape that is Kilauea. It was this experience that lead me to start painting the Hawaiian culture.

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Nisei III

$ 34

The Japanese term “Nisei” means “second generation” and refers to the children of people who have immigrated. It gets harder and harder for each generation to keep to the traditions of their parents or grandparents. But foundational cultural teaching is very important to every individual, and it is stronger and deeper than people realize. The beauty of this little girl in her very perfect kimono and traditional hair piece shows how well it suits not just her image, but her being.

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Red Ti

$ 50–$ 1,500

Another in my Contemporary Hawaiian series, I find myself drawn to the beauty of the red ti leaves.

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Ho’omakaukau

$ 150

This word asks “Are you ready!” and you will hear the Kumu Hula shout it out just before a performance. The dancers then answer, “Aye” (yes) and step out. Understanding the term is more than just the words.

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The Guardian

$ 50

At the foot of the Kohala mountains, on the shores of Kawaihai, stands the “Temple of the Lonely One”, Pu’ukohola. This huge stone edifice stands today as a monument to the might and power of King Kamehameha the First.

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Nisei IV

$ 34

Here though, one of our local children remembers the roots of her families heritage in a performance at Lilliokalani Park in Hilo. She had to dress as one of the young male dancers as they didn’t have any boys willing to dance!

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Protea

$ 50–$ 1,500

The image "Protea", captures the softness of these exotic flowers that grow in profusion in the cool up-country weather of Kamuela, the place I've called home for over 30 years.

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Kukui Lei

$ 50–$ 1,500

While up at the Volcano’s National Park during one of the hula performances on the authentic hula platform we found this captivating child wearing a head lei of Kukui leaves. It was noon and the sun beat straight down, highlighting the lei till it shown like a crown.

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Protea II

$ 50–$ 1,500

This was painted as a companion piece of Protea I. I love the subtle colors of the flowers. It’s hard to believe that each of these very different blossoms are of the same flora family. I think the orange ones look like fireworks.

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Pau

$ 44

While most people who visit Hawaii experience some form of hula (some of it very good)in their evenings of Polynesian Luau shows, in reality, hula exists casually at real family and community gatherings all over the Hawaiian islands. It is also performed with intense perfection at hula competitions, such as the Merrie Monarch Festival...

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Clifford

$ 50–$ 1,500

Clifford Neaole, a humble spirit and gracious host, has fostered global understanding, awareness and respect for the Hawaiian culture through his work as the Cultural Advisor for the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

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The Three Kahunas

$ 44

The three men in the image “The Three Kahunas” are teachers of various arts. Hale “Harry” Makua, to the far left, is a spiritual kahuna. Sam Kai, in the center, is a teacher of history, as well as the warrior arts. Kia, the man to the right, is a man of agriculture, one of the best known growers of Kalo (poi) in Waipio Valley, where he still cultivates the old Hawaiian way.

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Pohakulani

$ 50–$ 1,500

This is the Alaka'i (dance leader) of Halau o Kekuhi. She has devoted her life to the study of hula, though right now she is taking a break to find out how the rest of the world lives. She is an elegant, lovely girl with a quiet, sweet spirit and a determined edge. In this hula she uses her pa’u skirt in a movement over her shoulders reminding me of the outstretched wings of a bird. She looked as if she could almost fly off the stage.

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Waimea Meadow

$ 40

For thirteen years my husband worked for Parker Ranch. He has the belt buckle to prove it. He was the Curator for the Ranch and must have told tens of thousands of people the fascinating history of one of the first ranches in America.

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Forest Dancer

$ 50–$ 1,500

In the image "Forest Dancer," a young girl wears forest fern and ukui nut lei as she prepares to dance at the hula platform in Volcano's National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. Her beautiful eyes pieced my soul and I wanted to share that moment with you.

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Beautiful Leilani

$ 50–$ 1,500

The third in the "Contemporary Hawaiian" series, "Beautiful Leilani" stands in a sunlit grove of heliconia in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

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Ka Hula

$ 50–$ 1,500

If your image of the hula is that of graceful hips and cellophane skirts, you are missing what is the best of Hawaii. To me it is the Kane, the men of the Hula that make it amazing. Their power and strength, speed and perfection that keep people coming back, year after year, to the Merrie Monarch.

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The Lace Jacket

$ 40

This jacket has history. It is being worn by Mary Alice Noges, one of the most elegant women I know. I lived in Hilo as a little girl and my mother loved auctions.

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Breath of Kilauea

$ 50–$ 1,500

This is one of my favorite pieces. My husband and I had gone up to the summit of Kilauea several years ago to watch Halau o ke Kuhi perform at the caldera’s edge. It was a very odd day. The lava fields had steam rising from every crack and fold, billowing in clouds around us. It was as if the volcano itself was breathing. Little did we know it, but that was the beginning of this latest eruption at the caldera. A few days later part of the fire pit collapsed and a huge tower of steam shot up. This young dancer in her beautiful traditional pa’u skirt caught my eye. The mist and steam had beaded on her skin and she almost glowed.

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Tropical Morning

$ 50–$ 1,500

This is the 4^th image in my series of Tropical Ladies. Just north, outside Hilo, along the Hamakua heritage Coast, is one of my favorite places on the island. Follow the scenic detour signs and it will take you on a journey through a magnificent, tropical jungle with waterfalls and steams and the beautiful, Onomea Bay. Its green embrace is a balm to the soul and that is where I see my lovely lady sitting in her tropical paradise.

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