September 4, 2009 - July 2010
What do you feel people need to know about hula? What do we want them to come away with?
1. Inspiration to create, to learn hula, and Hawaiian culture
2. 2 points to convey throughout exhibit: continuity via creativity to develop new dances & maintenance of tradition and legacy
3. Important to state that there’s more than 1 way in interpretation; be open with interpretation to encompass many beliefs within hula
The exhibition will be in 4 parts:
1. The front part of DH galleries will have paintings, drawings, prints, etc. The intent will be to “tell the story” of the beginnings of hula—the version told in the book “The Epic Tale of Hi`iakaikappoliopele”. Puakea Nogelmeier translated newspaper accounts of the tale from the early 1900’s. The book’s illustrations are by Solomon Enos. An account of the writing of the story can be found at:
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/02/19/features/story03.html
A somewhat simplified version of the Hi`iaka story can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi'iaka
2. The second trunk will have portraits of five important kumu:
* `Iolani Luahine (awarded the State of Hawaii Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership 1969-1970)
* Edith Kanaka`ole (awarded the State of Hawaii Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership 1979)
* Mary Kawena Pukui (She received the Hawaii Award for Literature in 1976)
* Lokalia Montgomery
* Tom Hiona
3. This third area is the large space in the center of the DH galleries. This will be largely black and white photos of kumu important in the development of hula in the modern era. The portraits are those found in the book Nana I Na Loea Hula – Look to the Resources Volume 1. The photos were taken by Shuzo Uemoto. It was published in 1984 by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society. The project took over 2 ½ years of research, interviewing and photographing. Each notable hula exponent is not only represented by a photo, but by a page of first-person narration explaining his or her background in/relationship to hula.
4. This fourth part will have more “art objects”, photos, and hula costumes.
Websites
Hula Preservation Society.org
HPS is a non-profit dedicated to documenting and sharing the amazing life stories of our eldest living Hula Masters and their efforts to perpetuate hula, so their legacies live on to inspire and educate generations to come in the authentic culture of Hawai`i.
Mele.com
Hula Hālau worldwide listings
Books/Articles
