Men, or kane, were the first to dance hula. When men started to dance the old kahiko style of hula again, it sparked a huge revival of interest in the Hawaiian culture. Here, two members of the halau o kekuhi dance in the sun wearing skirts of raffia.

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.  

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.

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.