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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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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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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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Ipu Heke
$ 50–$ 1,500
The echo of a welcome chant, or "oil aloha," seems to hang in the air around the young dancer who poses with an ipu heke, or gourd drum, used to make the intricate beats used in kahiko, or ancient hula. She carries a fan of woven lauhala.
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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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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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Dance in the Sunlight
$ 50–$ 1,500
This was Halau o Kekuhi performing up at the hula platform at Kilauea’s summit. I have to admit, it is a rare day that the sun shines during a performance at the hula platform!