Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 2, 1 February 2000 — NāKumu Hula Vol. II documents today's sources of Hawaiian song and chant [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NāKumu Hula Vol. II documents today's sources of Hawaiian song and chant

ByManuBoyd

ĪHE STATE Council on Hawaiian Heritage has worked for years to develop forums where Hawaiian cultural practitioners, particularly in the areas of hula and oli, share their teachings. Workshops in the 1970s and '80s afforded

enthusiasts the rare opportunity to learn ffom great sources. In a similar attempt to share and educate, the eoun- i eil has released its sec- k ond volume of mele ■ hula and mele oli, "Nā Kumu Hula Vol. / J II, Songs from the ijfl Source," performed ; P by contemporary kumu and seasoned masters.

Edith McKinzie and George Holokai, both hula masters and regular judges in hula competitions, solidify the cast of primarily younger kumu, who have delved into traditional chant styles and emerged as fine song writers and musicians. Maui's Uluwehi Gurrero, eo-kumu of Hālau Hula o ka Makani Wili Mākaha o Kaua'ula along with Keali'i Reichel, opens the recording. His mele kāhea, the Hi'iaka-associated mele, "Kūnihi ka Mauna i ka La 'i," is followed to by McKinzie's response, the mele komo, "E Hea i ke Kanaka."

Kahikina de Silva, daughter of Kumu Hula Māpuana and scholar/researcher Kīhei, composed " Hanohano 'o Maui," recalling their hālau's educational and cultural tours to Maui - the waters of 'īao, the seashore at Puamana and the warmth of Kā'anapali. Other kumu hula fea-

tured on the project include Reichel, Veto Baker, Miehael

Casupang, Blaine p/ Kia and A1 Bar- ' / carse. I/ "Our main thrust I on this project is f record the voices of present day kumu, to document styles and voices of our contemporaries. Today's ■\ o n m ō n o u/nn ' t ri n\ro tn

iiauiiiauu vvuii i iiavu iu 20 to a museum to hear

it, they ean have it at home and use it as a tool," said Keahi Allen, executive director of the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage. "Years ago, we didn't have the resources, financial or technological, to record the stalwart traditional practitioners who participated like Aunty 'Io ('lolani Luahine), Unele Henry Pā, Hoakalei (Kamau'u) and Eleanor Hiram Hoke. Today, we are able to produce high-quality recordings that will benefit generations to eome." The eouneil is planning a third volume for release next year. ■