Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 10, 1 October 1995 — Hula traditions passed on through ʻūniki [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula traditions passed on through ʻūniki

Photos courtesy Halau Na Kamalei

On Aug. 26, Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero acknowledged four long-time students as kumu hula in a traditional graduation or 'ūniki held at Pu'u Pueo in Ko'olaupoko, O'ahu. In a ceremony lasting 24 hours, Karl Baker, Manu Boyd, Moses Crabbe and Miehael Casupang graduated as teachers along with Keola Kamahele, who graduated as a dancer and received the title of 'ōlapa. These are the first haumāna of Cazimero's 20-year-old Hālau Nā Kamalei to

undergo the process. One of the rites, known as 'ailolo (literally, pig braineating), affirms the students' preparedness for accepting the responsibility of maintaining the knowledge of hula traditions. The four presented a hō'ike of dance and chant continued next page

"Now it's time for us to go out anel do something with this knowledge that has been shared with us." - Manu Boyd

Members of Hālau Nā Kamalei participate in their 'ūniki, or graduation.

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to the small number of invited guests, and received their kīhei (shoulder garments), symbolizing their right to teach. Boyd, OHA's cultural specialist, devoted 17 years to get to this point, and, along with the other

graduates, had been groomed for the 'ūniki for many years. Boyd said 'ūniki is not an end; rather, it marks a transition. "Now it's time for us to go out and do something with this knowledge that has been shared with us," he said. Cazimero himself underwent the 'ūniki rites in 1973; his teacher was Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake, who perpetuated the line of hula instruction passed down from Lokalia Montgomery, Kawena

Pūku'i, Keahi Luahine and others. Various kumu hula active today - including Kaha'i Topolinski, Keli'i Tauā, Māpuana de Silva, Leinā'ala Heine, Keola Lake and Kamāmalu Klein - continue the tradition.

Kumu hula Robert Cazimero joins his haumāna in dance.

Cazimero ties Miehael Casupang's klhei, symbolizing his right to teach, as Manu Boyd, Moses Crabbe and Karl Baker watch.