World Premiere Hula Drama Kulanihako’i

Posted by Wendy Osher

Kulanihakoi: Living Waters. Photo Courtesy MACC.

Traditional Hawaiian chants combined with contemporary stories of Hawai’i come to life in Kūlanihāko‘i: Living Waters.

As the story is told, Kūlanihāko‘i is a mystical lake, situated high in the heavens, and a place from which all life flows.  The hula drama utilizes dance, chant, storytelling and dramatic interpretation to depict the many facets of water, and the relationship between the ocean, land, sky and all living things.

Stories from epic Hawaiian myths provide the backdrop to this presentation, as told through the eyes of contemporary Native Hawaiians.

Kulanihakoi: Living Waters. Photo Courtesy MACC.

Noted kumu hula Hōkūlani Holt, Keali‘i Reichel and Pali Ahue are featured alongside emerging kumu hula Ulalia Woodside, Kauhilonohonua Padilla and Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu.

The water of life is summarized at the end of the program:  “Generations of ancestral water deities perpetuate a cycle that lives in each of us – these waters are ancient, and these waters are alive with us today – these are living waters.”

Hula enthusiasts are invited to a free discussion and demonstration prior to the weekend showing on Maui.  Cast members will be available for the discussion at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12th, in the McCoy Studio Theater.

Kulanihakoi: Living Waters. Photo Courtesy MACC.

The hula drama makes its world premiere on Saturday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, after two years of preparations.

Immediately after the Maui performance, the Kūlanihāko‘i: Living Waters production will travel to New Jersey, and then return to Hawai‘i for performances on Hawai‘i Island, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, Kaua‘i, and Oahu.

Tickets for the premiere of Kūlanihāko‘i: Living Waters on October 15 are $12, $32 and $40 (plus applicable fees).  Tickets can be ordered via phone at 808-242-SHOW (7469) or online at MauiArts.org.

Kūlanihāko‘i: Living Waters is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Kauahea, Inc. with support from Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, County of Maui, National Endowment for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, National Museum of the American Indian and GAM Products.

*** Supporting information courtesy: MACC.