Upcoming
Tenney Theatre
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
July 20th, 2024 at 7PM and July 21st, 2024 at 2PM
The Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance / Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine will present a rare form of hula not widely practiced today. Hula kiʻi features the use of carved or crafted images in the story telling and movements of hula. Due to Western influences in the 19th Century, the hula kiʻi and other indigenous traditions were suppressed almost out of existence. Kumu Hula Māhealani Uchiyama of Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine, in association with Kumu Hula Kiʻi Mauli Ola Cook (holder of the lineal tradition of Kumu Nona Beamer and Kauaʻi alakaʻi of Kumu Hula Victoria Holt Takamine), Kumu Hula Maile Loo-Ching who leads the non-profit Hula Preservation Society, and Kumu Hula Auliʻi Mitchell of Hālau ʻo Kahiwahiwa who is an expert in carved forms and kiʻi innovation, will present this unique art form in Honolulu through a project sponsored by the 2021 Gerbode Foundation Choreography Award and 2024 Touring Grants from the Gerbode Foundation and the Zellerbach Family Fund. The project encompasses the research of classical themes, the construction of hula puppets, and the development of a dedicated hula ki’i practice within the Berkeley-based hālau. The resultant performance is Wai Ola, ʻAukele and the Waters of Life, A Celebration of Hula Kiʻi.
ʻAukele is a Hawaiian folk hero who successfully faced many terrifying challenges and undertook myriad, mystical adventures. The deep seated jealousy of ʻAukeleʻs brothers towards him led to several attempts on his life and journeys into the unknown. Our interpretation of the story centers on the theme of water, its value, and who controls access, current issues in both California and Hawaiʻi.
ʻAukele was the 11th and favorite son of Ikū, the chief of the celestial land of Kuaihelani. ʻAukeleʻs jealous oldest brother threw him into a deep pit hoping that Moʻoinanea (a female lizard diety) would devour him. Instead, recognizing that she was his ʻaumakua (deified ancestor), she blessed him with otherworldly gifts and powers. One of his many adventures led him to become married to Peleʻs sister Nāmakaokahaʻi. Guided by the wisdom of both Moʻoinanea and Nāmaka, ʻAukele was able to navigate through the heavens in pursuit of the life giving waters of Kane. Despite the many obstacles he faced, ʻAukele succeeded in his quest, and used the sacred waters to bring renewed life to his brothers. This epic Hawaiian story is rich and complex. It is our pleasure and privilege to share selected highlights of ʻAukeleʻs life journey with you.
