Through Dance Is Our Stories

[hawaiianfool]

Thank you for posting this video. I am proud to say that I am Hawaiian. Unfortunately for me and many others growing up in Hawaii, it was hard enough to just survive day to day. I forever will be grateful to those who took the time to continue the traditions of Hula and the Hawaiian language so that those of us who may have "assimilated" can look back not only with regret but pride because our culture and heritage will continue on. Mahalo.

[oOHulaGirlOo]

Ummmm much too modernized. If you are going to modernize it take it all the way. Don't make it sound like it is a modernized chant. Just sounds cheesy and a little wrong. In these things traditional values should be kept. It does sound nice though if you like that kind of thing.

[NikTressler1]

This is an issue for all traditions. How can the traditions be maintained while allowing growth and relevance? Whether it is Hula, Inipi, ballet or Shakespeare the traditions are too fundamental to loose, but if they do not move to the needs of the people they will be lost. This is especially true of ways that cannot be maintained due to the smallness of numbers so may need the participation of outsiders in order to continue and thus loose purity. A conundrum for both groups.

[BigChief803]

To hokulani78: I understand your frustration with the inaccuracies, however, it it is still a beautiful chant and a compelling video. The history may be wrong, but it's still a great depiction of the hula, chanting, and the soul of the Hawaiian culture. Try to appreciate it for what it portrays...a beauty the rest of world may not understand or know.

[iwakealii]

If you didn't know this version was an adaptation for KS Ho'ike. Our mo'olelo must grow and change or else out mo'omeheu will be lost. Mai namunamu!

[hokulani78]

Also the information by the voice over is incorrect. Kalakaua "penned" the first Kumulipo chant in its entirety though Fornander began to write the first 6 eras. Lili'uokalani wrote the first translation in its entirety. Furthermore, the chant was dedicated to Lonoikamakahiki hence why it was chanted to Cook 300 years later. Whoever did this song didn't check out Beckwith's or Johnson's work on this. Sad that its inaccurate and has been taught that way.

[EthnicKID]

um check your writing cause the Kumulipo wasnt written for Lonoikamakahiki. It was an Ali'i who asked his kahunas too wrte his geneology that would date his family from the "po" .

[hokulani78]

Read the translaton of the Kumulipo by Queen Lili'uokalani. She states that. You should check double check on your sources and I didn't say "write" it. Hawaiians had no written language until the missionaries. I said "dedicated it". Please read before you respond.

[hokulani78]

Auwe. I appreciate the effort and artistry of the music but Kanaka Maoli did not have 4 part harmonies until after 1820 and the chanting tone for the Kumulipo makes it sound too modern. The voice over and the combined chating and singing make this composition sound like something from the Kodak Hula Show rather than the deep intense spirituality it should have since it was only chanted during special occassions.

[nkokami]

It is Hawaiian's like you or people like you who will never grow. So stuck in one way...We as ka ho'o'ilina a Haloa must understand as we move forward in time so does our ways. We now more than ever must perpetuate and ho'omau ke ano o na Kupuna, but also ho'oulu i ka na'auao. Do not be so close minded about the arrangement but yet appreciate the creativity and purpose behind it. Mahalo!

[hokulani78]

No, sorry but its Hawaiians like you who have assimulated too much into the Western culture and have become colonized acting like the 'a'ama crab. We must adhere to our traditions and preserve them. That is what Ho'oulu lahui means. That is what the monarchy tried to do.

I have no problem with modern hula or new types of songs, but don't call them "hula kahiko" as you do. Its not accurate and its not traditional.

[nkokami]

Do not mix up what we are talking about. You were all nuha about the mele that accompanies this video. I never did call it Hula Kahiko nor did I call it tradiational what so ever.

[x3hulachick]

awesomes ! i like it, i saw my uncle paks in there.

[HaaheoHaYnGurl]

Mahalo nui loa for putting up this video.

[stnick40]

I like this video. I like the narrative and music. Are they unique to the video, or can one get this soundtrack?

[nkokami]

Imua E Na Poki'i by Kamehameha Schools is the CD. Song name is Kumulipo.

[salsaholic78]

I love it and hope the next generations will keep this beautiful tradition alive

[sw1q]

the blurb sounds like Exedos

[Raylene607]

Lovely. Long time fan of the Merrie Monarch Festival and I'm looking forward to the live 2007 broadcast.