FINAL CONFERENCE REPORT

Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola 2018 was successfully held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi from June 14 – 23, 2018. Nearly 1,000 kumu hula, hula practitioners and volunteers from Hawaiʻi and around the world (from Australia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Mexico Taiwan, and Zurich) participated in one week of activities including:

• 16 Ponohula classes held from June 14 -16, 2018
• Opening Ceremony on June 17, Sunday
• 84 workshops and presentations on Monday, June 18, Wed, June 20 and Fri, June 22
• 22 huakaʻi to wahi pana around Hawaiʻi Island on Tuesday June 21
• Five Evening Performances which were open to the public, Monday thru Friday, which averaged 2,000 attendees each night
• Two Signature Performances of  Kuʻu Lei ʻO Hiʻiaka. 
• Closing Ceremonies and Hōʻike on June 23

Conference venues included:

• University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Main Campus
• Hale ʻŌlelo at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani Hawaiian Language College 
• Hawaiʻi Community College
• County of Hawaiʻi Hoʻolulu Complex 
  • Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium
  •  Aunty Sallyʻs Lūʻau Hale
  •  Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium 
• There were 16 sites utilized for the Nā Ponohula activities for 274 participants:
  • Waiuli at Richardsonʻs Ocean Center
  • Edith Kanakaʻole Foundationʻs Pā Hoaka 
  • Keone Turaldeʻs  facility at Onekahakaha Beach Park
  • Kumu Stacey Kaʻauaʻs Hale in Kaumana
  • Kumu Auliʻi Mitchellʻs Hale in Nanawale
  • Hawaiʻi Community College classrooms, Malae, Papaʻā Hale, Piʻopʻo Hale

WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS:

There were 84 presentations offered on Monday, June 18, Wed, June 20 and Friday, June 22 by 57 different presenters.  Workshops were organized by Board Member Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla.  A significant feature this year was the inclusion of 15 presentations ma ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi which were scheduled at Hale ʻŌlelo.

NĀ PONOHULA

Nā Ponohula was organized and managed by Board Member Kealiʻi Reichel, assisted by members of his hālau.  Nā Ponohula workshops and presenters were:

• Hakihaki – Keola Chan
• Hula Kiʻi Beamer Traditions – Mauliola Cook/Maile Loo
• Hula Kiʻi Traditions of Puna - ʻAuliʻi Mitchell
• Ipu Heke – Lehua Kaulukukui
• Ipu Heke II – B. Kaimiloa Chrisman
• Kaʻekeʻeke and ʻOhe Hano Ihu – Kealiʻi Lilly
• Kapa & Hawaiian Dyes – Joni-Mae Makuakane-Jarrell/ Kuʻu Makuakane
• Kaula and Knots – Umi Kai
• Koko Pūʻau - ʻOhai Daniels
• Lapaiki – Kapuaokalanikapoliopele Kaʻauʻa
• Lapaiki II – Keone Turalde
• Lauhala Preparation and Weaving – Lolay Muraki
• Nā Lei Hula – Aloha Victor

HUAKAʻI 

Huakaʻi were offered on Tuesday and Thursday, June 21 and 23.  However, due to the volcanic activity in Puna and closure of Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park, the Thursday huakaʻi was re-organized.  

On Tuesday, Huakaʻi sites were offered in every moku and transportation was provided for 657 participants who attended 22 different huakaʻi.  Sites included:

• HĀMĀKUA
  • Mālama ʻĀina Koholālele (Noeau Peralto/Hailey Kailiehu)
  • Kūkulu, The Pillars of Mauna A Wākea (Pua Case & Lanakila Manguil)
  • Kū Kiʻai Mauna (E. Kalani Flores, Luana Neff, Linda Kaʻapuni)
  • Mele from Hilo Hanakahi to Hilo Paliku (Kainani Kahaunaele)
• HILO
  • Honokea Loko Iʻa (Hui Hoʻoleimaluō – Manoa Johansen, Kamala Anthony)
  • A Walk in the Garden with the Queen (Leilehua Yuen, Pualani Johnson, Haʻamauliʻola Aiona)
  • Mālama Lihikai (Keone Turalde)
  • Nā Pana Kaulana O Keaukaha (Manai Kalua)
  • Wahi Pana Piʻopiʻo (Lokelani Brandt)
  • Wahi Pana O Hilo, Leadership through Sacred Sites of Hilo (Pele Kaio)
• PUNA
  • Huakaʻi to Puna, Puna Paiʻaʻala (Lei Ilae)
• KAʻŪ
  • Keauhou, Kaʻū Forest Restoration Program and Keauhou Bird Conservation Center (Iwikau Joaquin)
  • Kiʻeiʻe Kaʻū (Nohea Kaawa)
• KONA
  • Keauhou (Kaʻea and Lilly Lyons)
  • Puʻuhonua ʻO Hōnaunau (Kahakaiu Ravenscraft)
  • Miloliʻi (Charles Kaupiko
• WAIMEA
  • Hole Waimea I Ka ʻIhe A Ka Makani (Micah Kamaoalii
• KOHALA
  • Puʻu Kohola (Nalei Napaepae-Kunewa)
  • Kukuipahu Heiau (Lehua and Kanani Kaulukukui)
  • Ka Huakaʻi O Kamehameha (Lorna Lim)
  • Makaliʻi (Ka ʻOhana o Makaliʻi)

Huakaʻi were organized by Kuʻulei Kanahele.

SHUTTLE BUS AND HUAKAʻI TRANSPORTATION

In order to move people efficiently from the Hoʻolulu Complex to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo facilities and Banyan Drive Hotels, a shuttle bus system was set up with Robertʻs Hawaiʻi.  This minimized the amount of traffic and individual cars which were used and alleviated parking problems.   Robertʻs Hawaiʻi provided school and air-conditioned tour buses for the huakaʻi around the island and to transport attendees to and from the Hoʻolulu Complex, the UHH Dorms and Banyan Drive hotels. On the final day, following the Hōʻike, buses were also available to take participants to the airport for departure. 

The management and planning of the shuttle transportation was an enormous responsibility which was handled by volunteer Professor Sam Giardanengo of Hawaiʻi Community College.

EVENING CONCERT SERIES

An Evening Concert Series was provided for participants and general public. The series included:

• Monday: “Hula is Aloha; Hula is Hawaiʻi” featuring Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima and Hālau Kou Lima Nani E; Kumu Hula Nahōkū Gaspar and Hālau Kahikilaulani & Kumu Hula Nalei Nāpaepae-Kunewa and Hālau Wahine Ua.
• Tuesday: Ulaleo Chant Concert featuring Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole, Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani and friends
• Wednesday: He Lei ʻAʻala: A tribute to Kumu Hula Leināʻala Kalama Heine, featuring Nā Pualei o Likolehua, Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine
• Thursday: Ua Kō: A tribute to Pualani Kanahele and Nalani Kanakaʻole featuring Unukupukupu; Kumu Hula Taupouri Tangaro
• Friday: Kanikapila Kākou, featuring ʻUheʻuhene and various hālau

Kainani Kahaunaele helped organize the musicians for these evening events, managed the backstage and performed as well.

WHOVA PROGRAM

 In a mindful effort towards eliminating the cost and waste of printing thousands of copies, the WHOVA Program was purchased for online communication and management of the conference.  It proved to be very successful and allowed for instant communication between organizers and conference participants as well as between conference participants.  

HOʻOULU LAKA

Each Hālauaola featured a year of preparation for the ʻAha Wehena. This year, trainings in Hawaiʻi began in August 2017 and continued through June 15, 2018.  The training took place over two days in order to include all the chants and dances.  A team of 3 or 4 were sent to each training.  There were 12 different trainings which included each major island and targeted four U.S. continent cities and Japan. Over 568 people (duplicated count) were trained in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. and 60 were trained in Japan for a total of 628.

HIGHLIGHTS

There were several highlights during the 10 day conference.  The early morning celebration of the Summer Solstice and the hula and chants that were taught during Haki Kino and performed in ceremony at Mokuola was a highlight.  Special Mahalo to Kumu Hula Taupouri Tangaro and Pele Kaio for leading the Haki Kino, presenting the Thursday evening Uo Kō performance, leading the Summer Solstice ceremony, participating in the chant concert on Tuesday evening, and organizing the ʻAha Panina on Saturday, June 23rd.   

Mahalo to everyone who participated in the 5th and final Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola.  The journey in the steps of Hiʻiaka began in Hilo in 2001 and included hula conferences in Maui in 2005, Honolulu in 2009, Kauaʻi in 2014 and finally returning to Hilo in 2018. Along the way, we learned more about the epic saga of Pele and Hiʻiaka, and the hula, moʻolelo, oli and mele, wahi pana, ʻohana and lifeways of the islands and communities of our kūpuna. We were all transformed and are grateful for everyone who shared on this journey with us.

 

May 31, 2018

UPDATE ON KA ʻAHA HULA ʻO HĀLAUAOLA

Aloha Kākou,

The ʻAha Hula is still happening!

In two weeks, we will begin welcoming you to Hawaiʻi Island, Hilo and the 5th and last Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola World Conference.  Our Kumu Hula, staff and volunteer crew are looking forward to hosting this historic event and we have a great lineup of workshops, presentations, huakaʻi and evening hula and chant concerts for you to enjoy and expand your foundation of hula. 

Watch for updates and download the WHOVA (hoo-va) App on your smart phone

In the next few days you will receive announcements regarding the schedule of presentations and more details about the ʻAha Hula.  Please be patient as we get the information loaded onto the website and onto the smart phone app – WHOVA – which will give you up-to-date information on the ʻAha activities.  Please download the free WHOVA app from your device’s app store. You will be able to search for Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola and find our daily conference information. 

News about the lava activity – no threat to Hilo

Iʻm sure you are keeping up with the daily reports on the lava flow activity in Lower Puna.  The various flows are actively moving downslope toward the ocean in its journey to create new land on a path which takes them even further away from us.  Here in Hilo, we have experienced minimal effects from the volcanic action. The prevailing tradewinds keep the vog away from Hilo Town.  The lava flows in Lower Puna are more than 20 miles from Hilo, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is approximately 30 miles distance. The plans for the ʻAha Hula are moving ahead with just a few adjustments to our program.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains closed so we are going shopping

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains closed indefinitely due to the ashfall activity from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.  The Thursday, June 21st, the huakaʻi which were planned to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has, therefore, been cancelled.  Instead, we will enjoy a special panel presentation by Kumu Hula in the morning at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium followed by a free day in Hilo.  Shuttle buses will be available to transport you to Downtown Hilo where there are famous shops like Sig Zaneʻs, Hawaiian Force and Hana Hou and to the Prince Kuhio Shopping Mall and Waiakea Shopping Center, home of Walmart, Ross, Target and Safeway. The shopping shuttle buses will run from 10:00am until 5:00pm on Thursday, June 21.  

The Hale ʻAina Food Court and Hiloʻs Finest Food Trucks, Craft Fair & UHH Lunches

The Hale ʻAina Food Court and Hilo’s Finest Food Trucks will be open for your dining enjoyment for lunch and in the evenings, beginning on June 18, Monday to June 22, Friday at 5:00pm – 8:00pm in front of the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. We will also feature Hawaiian craft artisans in the lobby of Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium during the evening performances from Monday through Friday. Lunch will also be sold at University of Hawaiʻiʻs Dining Room on the days when Presentations are scheduled.

Huakaʻi Fun to Puna and Kaʻū

There are two huakaʻi on Tuesday, June 19th which are intended for the Puna and Kaʻū district.  The route will be changed from its original destination since those areas may not be accessible at that time, however, it is intended that you will spend the day with families from the Puna and Kaʻū areas and learn much from their knowledge and experience of their land.

How can we help the Puna families?

We have received many inquiries about how you can help the families from Puna that are affected by the volcanic activity.  Friday evening, June 22, there will be a fundraiser and auction at the Kanikapila Celebration to raise funds for the families who are in need.  Please be sure to attend this final night concert at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium, from 5:00pm – 8:30pm.

When can I register?

Registration for Nā Ponohula and for the ʻAha Hula will begin on:

Wednesday, June 13, 9:00am – 5:00pm at Hawaiʻi Community College, 1175 Manono Street, Bldg 381, Room 17, Hilo, Hawaiʻi. 

Thursday, June 14th through Monday, June 18th, 7:00am – 5:00pm at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium, Kalanikoa Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi.

Practice and rehearsal for the ʻAha Wehena

Finally, a reminder for those of you planning on participating in the ʻAha Wehena Hula Conference, there are practices on June 14 and 15 beginning at 10:00am at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Please attend the Mass Rehearsal on Saturday, June 16, 1:00pm at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium.  There will be greenery available for those who need to make lei and kūpeʻe.  The ʻAha Wehena begins at Noon on Sunday, June 17.

Hawaiʻi and Hilo is open for business and we look forward to your presence and good energy here at Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola.

Mahalo nui loa,

Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, PhD.

ʻAha Director

A Message from the director:

REGARDING THE JUNE 19, TUESDAY HUAKAʻI

Aloha mai kākou,

The Huakaʻi Excursions for June 19, Tuesday are open on our website. In order to sign up for the Huakaʻi, you must be a registered participant.

Please login with your email address and password that you set up when you made your initial registration. If you have forgotten your password you can reset it on the Login page. If you try to register for a huakaʻi without logging in first you will be asked to purchase another registration. Simply go to Login and start again.

Once you login, then click on the Huakaʻi link on the left page.  The descriptions of the huakaʻi are on the Huakaʻi page.  Scroll down to read all the descriptions. Once you have chosen which huakaʻi you want to go on, click on the drop down menu and scroll until you find the desired huakaʻi. There are 22 to choose from.  A few have sold out but there are many remaining seats.

You should only sign up for one huakaʻi.  If you have already signed up for more than one, please login to the website and look at your “Recent Orders”. It will display your registration and anything else you signed up for. If you have signed up for more than one huakaʻi seat, please reset the seats to Zero. Make sure you keep your one seat.  Press “Update cart”.  You should now find that you are only registered for one huakaʻi.

Those of you who are hoping to get on a huakaʻi that is sold out should check the huakaʻi daily. A seat might open up once others have reset their choices.

In a short time, we will post the information for the Thursday huakaʻi.  Our plans are to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, however we will await word from the Park officials regarding the status of the facilities.

Mahalo for your patience, and mahalo for making sure that you only have one reservation per person for the Huakaʻi excursions.

Me ke aloha,

Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, PhD

ʻAha Director

CEREMONY ʻAʻAHU FOR HĀLAUAOLA

Here is an update for preparing your ʻAʻahu and Lei adornments for the ʻAha Wehena, Opening Ceremony on June 17, Sunday.

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Wahine ʻŌlapa
Pāʻū or kīkepa top
4 string pāʻū - ʻōlena-dyed
Kīkepa top with elastic or string - ʻōlena-dyed
Bloomer bottom is optional

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Kane ʻŌlapa
Malo - not dyed
Mid-thigh length 3 string pāʻū is optional

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Kupeʻe for ʻŌlapa
Lima and wāwae kupeʻe are 5 strand twisted lāʻī

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Lei Poʻo and Lei ʻĀʻī or Kumu Hula, Hoʻopaʻa and ʻŌlapa
Lei poʻo and ʻāʻī should be made out of any kind of FERN

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Kumu Hula ʻAʻahu
Kīkepa muslin ʻŌlena-dyed with Kīhei of any natural dye, NO PRINT

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Hoʻopaʻa ʻAʻahu
Kīkepa muslin ʻōlena-dyed

 

A Message from the director:

May 11, 2018

Aloha Kākou,

In a little more than a month, we will be greeting all of you to Hilo for the 5th Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola.  This is an update on our plans for the ʻAha and to assure you that we are indeed continuing our plans to provide you with an exciting ten days of expanding and elevating our knowledge and foundation of Hula and its attendant arts.

The volcanic activity of Kīlauea Iki, Halemaʻumaʻu, and the Southeast Rift Zone of Puna are being monitored closely by State of Hawaiʻi and County of Hawaiʻi officials.  I am sure you have followed the reports on local, national, and international news stations.

Many of our friends and families who live in Lower Puna are being affected and some are being forced to leave their homes.  We ask your support and pule for them in this challenging time. While you are here in Hawaiʻi, there will be opportunities to make donations and provide kōkua for these families.

As for the ʻAha, we are proceeding with our plans.  If necessary, as we get closer to our event, we may find that our plans must be adjusted and we will do so.  The safety of our participants, volunteers and staff is foremost. We will continue to send email updates to you.  Please also check our website daily for the most current information and announcements.

On Thursday, June 21, we are planning to take everyone to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and have been working closely with Park officials to plan activities for that day.  Today, however, the Park announced that they are closed until further notice in preparation for an anticipated eruptive phase of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. We are all anxiously awaiting the outcome of volcanic activity over the next fews days and will continue to hope that we will be able to take all of you to visit this important wahi pana in June.  If we have to adjust our plans, we know you will understand.

Another concern for all of us is the air quality caused by the vog, or volcanic haze.  As usual, we urge caution if the vog is heavy, which it can be in Hilo if the Kona or South winds are blowing.  If there are normal tradewinds, Hilo can be very clear and other parts of the islands, including Kona can experience the vog.   Stay indoors, drink lots of water, and avoid strenuous exercise.

Today, Hilo is sunny, beautiful and clear.  Tomorrow might be rain or vog. We are always prepared for any kind of weather.

Again, we look forward to greeting you very soon and know you will thrill in the experience of a living breathing ʻĀina o Pele.

Mahalo nui loa,

Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, PhD.

Director

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INVITATION

Please join us in Hilo for the 5th Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola, a gathering of Hula and Oli masters, practitioners and enthusiasts.  We are excited to present a 10-day (anahulu) program of workshops, presentations, huakaʻi to sacred, historic and educational sites around Hawaiʻi Island. Our intent is to elevate and expand your knowledge and understanding of Hula and Oli by presenting masters, kumu hula, skilled practitioners and noted scholars of Hawaiian culture and language to share their ʻike with you.

Our journey began in 2001 when the Moʻolelo of Pele and Hiʻiaka was introduced through the first Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola.  Like the story, the ʻAha and many of you traveled with us to Maui to learn about Kapōʻulakinaʻu,  then to Oʻahu to visit the many sites where the Pele Clan stopped along their journey and finally to Kauaʻi, to Keʻe, the home of Lohiʻauipo and the many wahi pana pertinent to the story. Who can forget chanting “Kunihi ka mauna i ka laʻi ē” while standing in the shadow of majestic Waiʻaleʻale?

Now it is time for Hiʻiakaikapoliopele to hoʻi, return home from her journey through the islands.

This will be the last time that Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauola will be presented in this format.

So don't miss out.  Registration will soon be open for you to reserve your spot for  this special program.
We look forward to welcoming you to Hilo.

Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, PhD
ʻAha Director