|
Kumu
Kamaile Hamada learned hula as a child from his mother, Agnes Kawahinenohomauna
Kama’i. She had been taught by her grand-uncle Hokuloa Naumu, who lived
in the Kalalau Valley on Kaua’i.
Hālau Ke’ala O Kamailelauli’ili’i
was started on Kaua’i years ago. The name was given to Kumu Hamada by his
mother. The later mainland halau was started in Washington state on Labor Day
1996, with both kāne and wahine dancers. It has grown over the years and has
since acquired the name Manawaiopuna for the male dancers.
The first competition for Hālau Ke’ala O Kamailelauli’ili’i
and Manawaiopuna was the George Na’ope Northwest Hula Competition in 1999,
where they were award winners in the categories of kahiko, ’auana, and ’olelo
Hawai’i (Hawaiian language). Since then the hālau has also garnered
awards at the E Hula Mau hula competition and currently has seven active men
dancers.
Kumu Kamaile is very interested in the concept and implementation of Ka
Hula Hou, and is impressed that a competition has been developed with the
emphasis on how the dancers will inspire the audience, rather than on collecting
points or a high score. Looking forward to the event, Kumu Kamaile expects the
unexpected for everyone, because decisions will lie in the hands of the onlookers.
The
men of Manawaiopuna are coming well-prepared with an arsenal of dances and
songs and Kumu Kamaile says, "Bring it on!" Looking beyond Ka
Hula Hou at
the future of hula, he believes that action is the key, and that action involves
more than just dancing; it involves learning: the language, the history, and
the meaning of the songs that are danced. It also involves
a commitment to keeping hula true to form, in the spirit of the kupuna who
guide and teach: "Hula
is a way of life. It is not a weekend job, a part time job, or even a fundraiser.
Hula is and should be everything that we do. From there it will be preserved
well into the future."
Read about the other Ka
Hula Hou challengers
|
