The Project
Nā Kumu Hula Kiʻi (hula kiʻi teachers) Mauli Ola Cook and Maile Loo-Ching were invited to journey from Kauaʻi and Oʻahu to California to work with members of Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine of Berkeley.
Upcoming
Tenney Theatre
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
July 20th, 2024 at 7PM and July 21st, 2024 at 2PM
The first of these visits was focused on the creation of the kiʻi (puppets) using rocks, shells, fibers, and other natural materials. Each dancer was encouraged to make her own unique kiʻi, including their garments and adornments. There was specific attention given to learning how to hold and animate the kiʻi. Nā Kumu (teachers) shared a number of beautiful mele (songs) and hula.
There was considerable discussion on the history of the kiʻi tradition as well as a primer on challenges of water rights both in Hawaiʻi and here in California.
Our second visit with Nā Kumu encompassed deepening our understanding of the mele (songs) and choreography as well as working on the technique of how to hold and dance with the kiʻi.
During the two years of the project, our dancers met for weekly practice and the lead artist and Nā Kumu met monthly on Zoom to clarify logistics for the culminating performance.
We also engaged in weekly joint rehearsals with Nā Kumu zooming in from Hawaiʻi to observe us and offer notes on what they saw.