The Ka‘ie‘ie Foundation and the Kaua‘i Heritage Center have announced plans to offer a new Hawaiian cultural program series called ‘Aina‘ike. The program is tailored to children and adults, with sessions taking place throughout the year. “All the courses have
The Ka‘ie‘ie Foundation and the Kaua‘i Heritage Center have announced plans to offer a new Hawaiian cultural program series called ‘Aina‘ike.
The program is tailored to children and adults, with sessions taking place throughout the year.
“All the courses have been created to honor and celebrate the history, places, philosophies and traditions that are rooted in the primal culture of Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i nei,” organizers said.
‘Aina‘ike is an ancient place name that can be traced to a wahi pana or legendary location in the moku, formally known as Kona, Kaua‘i. The name is also reflected in the ‘olelo no‘eau, or ancient Hawaiian proverb “‘Eli‘eli kulana o ‘Aina‘ike.” A literal translation is “Profound is the nature of ‘Aina‘ike.” It is a reference to a person who is respected for the depth of his or her knowledge. A play on words, ‘eli‘eli, which means “profound or deep,” and ‘aina‘ike, which literally translates as “land of knowledge.” The new series will be launched in July with an eightweek course entitled “Oli: The Art of Hawaiian Chant.” Participants will receive instruction in vocal manipulation techniques and styles used in Hawaiian chanting. The course will integrate selections of classical Hawaiian legends that highlight the role of wahi pana, Hawai‘i’s special storied places and familial relationships that are shared with historical chiefs, sacred deities and more.
Instruction for the course will be presented by Kehaulani Kekua, kumu hula of Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai, a traditional halau hula (hula school) that was founded in 1945 by her grandmother Helen Kaipuwai Kekua Waiau. A lifelong practitioner and advocate for the perpetuation of ancient Hawaiian cultural traditions, Kekua was trained in native oral arts by renowned kumu hula and chant master Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele.
Under Kanahele’s tutelage, Kekua’s training also included cultural development, poetry and Hawaiian literature articulation, indigenous knowledge of storied places, traditional costumes, and chant theory and practice.
“Every facet of ancient Hawaiian lifestyle was infused with the tradition of chant,” Kekua said. “Whether it was for secular or sacred purposes, chant and chanting was vast and visible amongst commoners, priests and chiefs.” She added that “words are created to paint an image of familiars.” “It is an esoteric sinew for seeing what the eyes cannot see.
Chanting is simultaneously meditative and communicative,” she said.
The Kaua‘i Heritage Center is a project of the Ka‘ie‘ie Foundation, a native Hawaiian non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating customary practices and art forms through cultural education. The center features the work of traditional and contemporary artisans and cultural practitioners from throughout Hawai‘i.
To enroll in the Hawaiian chant course, call the Kaua‘i Heritage Center at 821-2070.
