At Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai in Kapa‘a, more than just hula is taught. In addition to chanting classes held regularly for ongoing and drop-in students, halau leaders teach the true history of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and the Native Hawaiians and Kauaians,
At Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai in Kapa‘a, more than just hula is taught.
In addition to chanting classes held regularly for ongoing and drop-in students, halau leaders teach the true history of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and the Native Hawaiians and Kauaians, at the halau off Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a.
And, when it is time for the annual ho‘ike, it is more than just a series of students dancing, chanting and singing. It is a community education as well, according to halau leaders.
“Kapu: Resurrecting the Soul of Hawaiian Culture” is the theme of the ho‘ike and third annual fund-raiser for the halau’s nonprofit, cultural and educational organization, the Ka‘ie‘ie Foundation.
The event is tomorrow, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. There will be a lu‘au, continuous entertainment, and a silent auction, in addition to the live music, dance, chant, and production.
Tickets are now on sale for Ku Ka‘ie‘ie 2006, which is a featured, signature event of the annual Kauaian Days festivities.
A number of special guests and friends are slated to perform at the lu‘au this year, including Kumu Hula Nathan Kahikolu Kalama and the ladies of Na Lei Hala O Kawaiola from Wailua.
The production was written and directed by kumu hula and Hawaiian cultural specialist, Kehaulani Kekua, and will feature the performing company of Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai.
This is a one-of-a-kind performance, she said. Rare chants, ceremonies, protocols and dances have been woven in with dramatic histories and traditions that tell of Hawai‘i’s past, she said.
Spiritual associations and reciprocal relationships of Hawai‘i’s ancestors with hula, the ‘aina (land) and the kai (ocean) will be highlighted throughout the five-act performance, she promised.
Kekua will present “a very intriguing approach to the critical realities of Hawai‘i today, and the urgency of uplifting the very soul of Hawaiian culture,” she noted.
