Traditions of the Pacific Series Celebrates Year of Hula
Summer Lectures and Film Programs Announced
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 expression of culture through words and dance. This year, the Bishop Museum Association Council (BMAC) invites you to deepen your understanding of hula by exploring special topics within the discipline from a physical, spiritual, and creative perspective through offerings of lectures, workshops, and film programs featured in Traditions of the Pacific: The Year of Hula, a learning program sponsored by the Council.
Learn about hula through Bishop Museum’s unique and unrivaled cultural resources – explore the 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. The following presentations are offered in the Summer 2008 line-up of BMAC’s Traditions of the Pacific: The Year of Hula educational series supported in part by Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Traditions of the Pacific is an ongoing program that highlights the cultural heritage and natural science of Hawai‘i, Asia, and the Pacific through stories, fieldtrips, lectures, and workshops. The popular program began in 1991 and will continue through 2008.
This year, the Bishop Museum Association Council’s popular Traditions of the Pacific series will supplement its lecture and workshop offerings with an evening Hula Film Festival. Films will be shown monthly in the Atherton Halau, with a special introduction by a Bishop Museum staff member or guest affiliated with the film. Light refreshments will be served. Admission to the film screening is free for Museum members; $5 for all others.
Bishop Museum Presents Traditions of the Pacific 2008: The Year of Hula Summer Programs:
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC: THE YEAR OF THE HULA
HULA FILM FESTIVAL & ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
June 10, 6-7 p.m.
AMERICAN ALOHA: HULA BEYOND HAWAII
June 10, 7–8:30 p.m.
Atherton Halau, Bishop Museum
$5 General Admission; Free to Bishop Museum Members
Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187
[56 minutes, Color, DVD, 2003]
The Bishop Museum Annual Membership Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Hula Film Festival’s showing of American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawaii. The meeting will commence at 6 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. The evening will include comments from Bishop Museum President and CEO Timothy E. Johns, as well as Dr. Charman Akina, Chair of the Board of Directors, followed by the election of new members to the Bishop Museum Association Council.
The film profiles three kumu hula living, working and perpetuating the hula in northern California. Sissy Kaio of Carson, Mark Hoomalu of Oakland and Patrick Makuakane of San Francisco talk about the challenges and rewards of teaching hula on the mainland and maintaining cultural pride and integrity. Although they come from different backgrounds and have moved to California for different reasons, they all share a deep and abiding love for the hula and the Hawaiian culture. This film was shown nationally on PBS, locally on Hawaii Public Television, and has won awards at numerous film festivals. Credit Info: Producer(s): Lehua Films; Director(s): Lisette Kaualena Flanary and Evann Siebens. Project Coordinator is Courtney Chow.
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC: The Year of the Hula
HULA FILM FESTIVAL
Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula
July 8, 2008; 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
Atherton Halau, Bishop Museum
$5 General Admission; Free to Bishop Museum Members
Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187
[60 minutes, Color, DVD, 2006]
This award winning film gives viewers a candid behind-the-scene look at Halau Na Kamalei, under the direction of noted kumu hula Robert Cazimero as they prepare to compete in the 2005 Merrie Monarch Festival. Cazimero talks about his evolution as a hula dancer and as a teacher, and his students share their experiences within the halau and their feelings about being men hula dancers. Credits: A co-presentation of Lehua Films, Independent Television Services and Pacific Islanders in Communications. Producer: Lehua Films; Directors: Lisette Kaualena Flanary
Project Coordinator is Courtney Chow.
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC – The Year of the Hula: Lecture
THE VOICE OF HULA Presented by Manu Boyd
July 31, 2008; 6-8 p.m.
Atherton Halau, Bishop Museum
Reservations: 848-4187 or email courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org
Admission $5; Free to Bishop Museum Members
Manu Boyd explores the complexities of the “voice” of hula – the words behind the dance. Seating is limited. For reservations, email courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 848-4187.
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC: The Year of the Hula
HULA FILM FESTIVAL
Holo Mai Pele
August 12, 2008; 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Atherton Halau, Bishop Museum
$5 General Admission; Free to Bishop Museum Members
Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187
[57 minutes, Color, DVD, 2004]
This is film version of the 1995 stage production of Holo Mai Pele, performed by members of Halau O Kekuhi, under the direction of kumu hula Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele and Nalani Kanakaole. The plot tells the tragic saga of the rivalry between Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of the volcano, her sister Hiiakaikapoliopele and their common affections for the handsome and brave Lohiau. Blending both traditional and contemporary dramatic forms, this play takes viewers on an emotional journey into mystical world of goddesses, demons and lovers. This film was shown nationally on PBS Great Performances “Dance in America.” A companion book was published in conjunction with the film. Credit Info: A co-production of International Cultural Programming, Thirteen/WNET New York and Pacific Islanders in Communications; Co-Artistic Directors: Nalani Kanakaole and Pualani Kanakaole Punahele
Project Coordinator is Courtney Chow.
TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC: The Year of the Hula
Haku Mele: The Art of Composing Mele and Oli
Presented by Puakea Nogelmeier
August 30, 2008; 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Atherton Halau, Bishop Museum
$15 General Admission; $10 for Bishop Museum MemberAdvance Reservations Required: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187
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 Hiiakaikapoliopele, and a tireless devotion to Bishop Museum's Hoolaupai Hawaiian Language Newspaper Project.
For more information about Traditions of the Pacific: The Year of Hula, email courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org; or call (808) 848-4187; or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.
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