Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai ‘Aha Hula Po‘aono

LIHU‘E — Witness an outdoor performance steeped in Hawaiian ceremony Saturday afternoon at Church of the Pacific in Princeville when Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai presents “‘Aha Hula 2010,” a hula kahiko. 

The halau is under the direction of kumu hula Kehaulani Kekua, and this second annual pa‘ina and concert is the culmination of a year of ceremonial presentations inspired by a dream. Kekua was visited by her grandmother, founder of Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai, Helen Kaipuwai Kekua Waiau.

“She came to remind me of the importance of offering sacred hula to Kaua‘i before taking the chants and dances to the continent,” Kekua said. This was two weeks before the halau’s departure for the Festival of Native Peoples in Cherokee, NC last summer.

“My halau and many friends in the community thought I was crazy to take on such a huge undertaking with so little time to plan,” she wrote in an e-mail. “But I persisted, understanding my obligations and connection to ancestral advice.” 

The first “‘Aha Hula” was quickly scheduled and presented July 2009 and two days later the dancers flew to one of the most celebrated festivals on native culture and traditions.

For the second “‘Aha Hula,” the 45-member halau will pay tribute to Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i chiefs. Festivities begin at noon with Hawaiian and vegetarian fare, live Hawaiian music and cultural presentations. The hula kahiko concert begins at 4 p.m. in the grassy amphitheater.

The word “‘aha” translates in many ways Kekua said.

“It’s a ceremony, an assembly to gather for a specific purpose and it’s a ceremonial chord made of coconut,” she said. “But it all means the same thing: It’s a gathering that brings people together to share in ceremony. Like a chord, it binds us to the land and our ancestors, and as cultural practitioners it binds us to our cultural practice of ‘aiha‘a and hula.”

Before the mid-1800s hula was referred to as “‘aiha‘a,” which means “to internalize humility.”

The first half of the performance will be hula pahu (sacred drum dances) traditionally presented as part of high-temple ceremonies in the ancient heiau (place of worship).

“For us, even in a public sharing, that dance platform becomes sacred space,” she said. “What we call hula today is really a sacred ritual.”

The chants and dances for “‘Aha Hula” were specifically chosen for their connection to Princeville and Hanalei. The performance will be in a natural amphitheater set against the Hanalei horizon.

“The majority of the places in the chants are right in the area where ‘Aha Hula is being performed,” she said.

Dancing on the lawn versus a stage is especially meaningful for Kekua.

“We want to be on the ground,” she said. “We want to pull that mana out of the ground.”

The second half of the kahiko will be hula ‘ala‘apapa, (dances accompanied by ipu heke, the double gourd).

“Hula ‘ala‘apapa is the epitome of sacred hula,” Kekua said. “They honor the chief, gods and the ‘aina. The ali‘i were the earthly embodiment of the gods themselves.”

Closing the ‘aha will be Kekua’s senior student, Aikane Alapa‘i, who will perform a battle chant telling the story of warrior chiefs Kaweloleimakua and Kauahoa of Hanalei.

“Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai is not a performing or competition halau. All of Saturday is going to be a cultural and educational experience with stories and dances in the grandeur of Hanalei,” Kekua said.

Pre-purchase tickets include a meal and can be purchased at kaieie.org. Tickets purchased the day of the event will be for entertainment only. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for students 13 to 17; 12 and under are free. Bring blankets and beach chairs for lawn seating.

For more information e-mail kehaulani.kekua@kaieie.org.

• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.

What: Pa‘ina and hula kahiko

Where: Church of the Pacific, Princeville

When: Saturday; pa‘ina: Noon-3 p.m.; kahiko: 4 p.m.

Tickets: Adults $35; students $25; 12 and under free