After its debut in Europe last June, Recalling Hawai‘i makes its way to Kaua‘i May 28 at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center. The program combines, music, dance and multimedia to present a program that spans from the kumulipo (Hawaiian
After its debut in Europe last June, Recalling Hawai‘i makes its way to Kaua‘i May 28 at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center.
The program combines, music, dance and multimedia to present a program that spans from the kumulipo (Hawaiian genesis) to modern times, according to a press release. Recalling Hawai‘i is presented under the Ka ‘Imi Na‘auao o Hawai‘i Nei Institute, which was founded on Kaua‘i and has classes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The institute is “widely recognized as a cultural leader in teaching all aspects of Hawaiian culture and innovator in the Institute’s presentational forms,” according to the release.
Kumu Hula Roselle Keli‘ihonipua Bailey, founder and current President Emeritus of the Institute, is the artistic director of the multimedia chronicle.
“Recalling Hawai‘i has been planned and choreographed as oli, mele and hula unfold against a backdrop of appropriate images on stage to “awaken the past, the now and the future’” of Hawai‘i and Hawaiian people through the medium of chant, music and hula. The program’s first half that covers a sweeping span of time, will be followed by a segment beginning with the time of Kamehameha.
“The chronicle’s second half begins with a chant for Kamehameha and is followed up with a rendering of “Big Bad Brudda” in a pairing of old with new forms in surprising ways throughout the program, which builds layer upon layer. Through this progression, the Hawaiian culture and people are shown to have remained strong in their beliefs and customs through all shifts in power and times of change,” the press release states.
More than 40 dancers, chanters and musicians from Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu, as well as California and Germany, will participate in this show.
The Kaua‘i host team will include dancers from Kumu Hula Perle Puamohala Kaholokula’s halau and recording artist Robbie Kaholokula, plus Westside musicians Kawehi Martin (‘ukulele and vocals), Jonathan Olores (guitar) and Jerry Nishihira (bass), along with Waimea High School student Jordan Parongao (‘ukulele and vocals).
“It is my hope that any person of Hawaiian ancestry will gain renewal and personal pride from the content of the program,” Bailey said in the press release. “I wish the same for anyone who respects and dedicates themselves to learning the truth of Hawai‘i, our history, our people and our ways.”
Tickets for Recalling Hawai‘i are available from all Ka ‘Imi Institute members, through www.kaimi.org as well as at various island outlets. All proceeds support the ongoing work of the Institute. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Anyone requiring special seating is asked to call the program coordinator at local number 212-1340 ahead of time.
