Two Songs Composed for 25th Anniversary Edition of Hula O Nā Keiki
The 25th Anniversary edition of Hula O Nā Keiki was host to some special moments as organizers celebrated the landmark year at the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel in West Maui.
Special to this year’s event were two mele composed by Kekuhi Kanae Kanahele Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani, an eighth generation kumu hula of Hālau O Kekuhi on Hawaiʻi Island.
The companion hulas, ʻOni a Paʻa E Nā Pōkiʻi and ʻO Haleakalā Kuʻu Kuahiwi were composed as Mele Helu ʻĀina, and are meant to work together to connect people to their landscape, specifically Haleakalā on Maui.
According to Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani’s explanation, the mele call out to the names of the “kupuna” wahi pana or ancestral sacred places by name, and internalizes those names as part of one’s own family.
The intention of the mele is “to empower.”
Results from this year’s event are available at the following link: Hula O Nā Keiki 2015 Results.
Photo credit: Richard Pata.
Photo credit: Richard Pata.
Photo credit: Richard Pata.
Hula O Nā Keiki 2015.
Hula O Nā Keiki 2015.
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