Kumu Hula - Neaulani Kuamo'o-Peck
comes from a family of Hula teachers from the Big Island, Hawaii. For her and her sister, Mahealani, their mother was their first hula teacher. Over the years, they have continued to dance, and Neaulani opened her own hula halau - hula school- in 1978, sharing the hula, music, language and customs. She continues teaching hula, as well as other Polynesian dance forms in the retreat programs with her sister, and students from the global communities. In addition to carrying on their hula tradition, Neaulani participated in numerous hula workshops led by hula masters George Naope, Pat Namaka Bacon, Pua and Nalani Kanaka'ole, Nona Beamer, and Cousin Maile Souza.
The strength, beauty and creativity of the hula served as an important and vibrant expression of cultural and family events, history, and spirituality, and were once solely performed by male dancers. Hula is the vehicle used for the hands to tell a story while keeping the rhythm flowing through the body, and to enfold you, and your audience with its emotions found within the story. The hula is fun, lively, sacred, light-hearted, and even satirical, solemn and ritualistic, and what determines the differences is the purpose for which it is danced.
In ancient times the hula was kapu-forbidden, and sacred, and only taught to those worthy of receiving its' knowledge and passed on from generation to generation. As a chosen child, you were taken from your family and given to the hula halau to be raised with the hula as your main priority. So sacred was this group of dancers that the halau became your family and secrets were closely guarded and kept within the halau family.
The arrival of the missionaries greatly changed the societal landscape of Hawaii forcing hula, along with other spiritual and healing aspects of the culture underground. Hula was deemed as barbaric, uncivilized and works of the devil. Fortunately, the hula did manage to survive, although a large part of its variety has been lost forever, including most of the animal dances, rarely done today, and forgotten by most.
Today, what is seen and kept alive occurred through the efforts of many courageous and beautiful Kumu hula teachers from past generations such as Neaulani's mother, and a family of teachers on her father's side, to the present generation for all to enjoy. As a member of this elite group, it is a great pleasure to be able to share the wonders and beauty of the hula. It is a most joyful and spiritual expression of Hawaii, its' land and its' people.
E Komo Mai Kakou A Me Ka Hula! Come, Let's Dance!!!
Aloha
Aloha : The modernized meaning of Aloha is used for : hello, goodbye, and love. The Hawaiian would be a breakdown of the word such as , ALO meaning the presence of spirit and HA meaning the breath of life. So, saying “ALOHA” to one another is more like greeting and acknowledging the spirit and the life of the one you are addressing. I recognize you as life spirit…… ALOHA
Kumu
Kumu : The term kumu literally means teacher. In Hawaii, kumu are those that through lineage or lifelong tutelage with a master of a certain craft, then in turn become KUMU. This can be kumu hula as a master / teacher of dance or kumu oli as a master / teacher of chants. Others in their crafts would be canoe builder, weaver, herb and medicine to name a few. These people, kumu , or masters of their craft are also called KAHUNA.
Mana
Mana : Translated in English, MANA is power. Mana is more the internal power or energy of any living thing. Hawaiians know all things have mana. The aina (land), pohaku (rocks), plants, people, gods and goddesses in varying degrees.
Spirit
Spirit : ’Uhane is the Hawaiian equivalent of spirit.
Pronounced oo ha nay The essence of being. That of all sentient beings which is everlasting. Aloha ’uhane is a greeting in which you acknowledge the ’uhane, the everlasting essence of being. For those that know the meaning it is like turning on their light when addressed in this manner… Aloha 'UHANE
Hula
Hula : Hula, everyone knows, is beautiful ladies in grass skirts and coconut bra tops , smiling and swaying gracefully with huge flowers in their hair. Well yes, sorta and that is lots of fun at parties and for entertainment. Hawaiian hula is a form of story telling. There was no written language in Hawaii so the stories were passed down through the hula. Hula literally means , dance. There are two forms of hula auwana which is the modern style and the kahiko is the ancient form.
WorkShop
Workshop : Hale o hana would possibly be the translation here as a house of work. We now are calling these gatherings of learning, PLAYSHOPS! Gathering with a group of people with similar interest to have fun learning. Are you ready for fun?
