Traditions of the Pacific 2008: The Year of Hula
One of the strongest and most deeply rooted traditions in practice within the Hawaiian culture, hula has gained broad-based appeal over the years as an attractive expression of culture through words and dance.
This year, we invite you to deepen your understanding of hula by exploring special topics within the discipline from a physical, spiritual, and creative perspective.
Quick links to upcoming monthly events:
Learn about hula through Bishop Museum’s unique and unrivaled cultural resources – explore our stories, archives, plants, collections, and people and gain intimate cultural knowledge about the words and traditions behind the dance and the true depth of their meaning.
Lecture: Mele Hula
Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Atherton Hālau
Tuition: $5 and Free to Members
Like all art forms, hula evolves over the years because of the creativity of its practitioners. We can thus study various historical periods through hula, and consider how creative innovations reflect the needs and interests of the people at the time. Dr. John Charlot will discuss the connection of various styles of hula and song to the historical circumstances and concerns of the Hawaiian community. His main example will be the songs of Helen Desha Beamer and the Beamer style of hula. Dr. John Charlot is a noted University of Hawai‘i scholar, whose research on Hawaiian mele, oli, and stories has been based largely on the study of original source material.
Reservations are highly recommended.
Email courtneychow@bishopmuseum.org or call 808.848.4187 RSVP by April 18th.
Workshop: Hula Research in the Library and Archives
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.Pākī II Conference Room/Library & Archives
Tuition: $15 and $10 to members
Interested in researching mele or hula? The Bishop Museum Library & Archives contain many unique resources that can be used to research songs, hula, cultural history, and items related to hula.
First, join noted author, composer, and scholar Kihei de Silva for an insightful discussion on his life-long collaboration with renowned Halau Mohala 'Ilima in researching mele used for hula.
Then, participants can get an overview of the Bishop Museum Library & Archives’ amazing collections, with an emphasis on hula resources: lyrics for oli and mele, mo`olelo, images (both art and photos), moving images, and more. Led by Archives Collection Manager DeSoto Brown.
Reservations are required as space is very limited.
RSVP by May 1st.
Email courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or call 808.848.4187.
Lecture: The Voice of Hula
Thursday, July 31, 2008 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.Atherton Hālau
Tuition: $5 and Free to Members
Gain intimate cultural knowledge about the words and traditions behind the dance and the true depth of their meaning with well-known kumu hula, composer, chanter, and cultural specialist Manu Boyd. Please visit at a later date for more details.
Workshop: Haku Mele: The Art of Composing Mele and Oli
Traditions of the Pacific Workshop:
Haku Mele: The Art of Composing Mele and Oli
Presented by Puakea Nogelmeier
Saturday, August 30, 2008
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Atherton Hālau, Bishop Museum
Advance Payment Required : $15 Members; $25 Non-Members
The Hawaiian text is the foundation of chant, dance, and song. Join Puakea Nogelmeier for an intimate discussion about the poetic structure of mele, and how the general forms of mele are adapted for use in oli, hula, and song.
A teacher by trade and a poet by happenstance, Puakea Nogelmeier's credits include hawaiian-language scholar, translator, song writer, and kumu hula. His recent projects include the translation of the epic manuscript Hi'iakaikapoliopele, and a tireless devotion to Bishop Museum's Ho'olaupa'i Hawaiian Language Newspaper Project. RSVP to courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 848-4187.
Lecture: From Mele to Hula
Guest: J. Kimo Alama KeaulanaThursday, October 16, 2008 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Atherton Hālau
Tuition: $5 and FREE to members
Explore the process involved in translating the words and meanings of mele and oli into movement. J. Kimo Alama Keaulana is regarded as a leader in Hawai'i's cultural community, His contributions include: director/instructor, kumu hula ancient hula training program, Mo'ili'ili Community Center; consultant, major Hawaiian music recording companies; judge, "Haku Mele of the Year" division, 1999 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards; judge, Kamehameha Schools' 77th Annual Song Contest; consultant, Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. He has translated over 1000 song and chants in the Bishop Museum collection most widely used by kumu hula and entertainers.
Workshop: Artisans at Work: The Creation of Ti Leaf Skirts
Richard Paglinawan, Ilima Stern, Huanani Kauka, and Cindy Wong
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Atrium/Atherton Hālau
Tuition: $15 and $10 for members
Reservations are required as space is very limited.
Join Richard Paglinawan for a historical look at the evolution, significance, and usage of the ti-leaf skirt as part of hula’s rich history. Then, sit down with guest artisans ‘Ilima Stern, Huanani Kauka, and Cindy Wong for a hands-on introduction to various styles of ti-leaf skirt used in hula. Workshop participants will make their own ti-leaf skirt sample, which they can finish on their own at home. Participants should bring 20 ti leaves (must be hand pulled, not cut), a hat, and a mat to sit on.
To make reservations, please call (808) 847-8296 or email trey.dodge@bishopmuseum.org.
[3.7 MB]