Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

[Pomai]

Kahiko (ancient) or 'Auana (modern) Hula: which is your favorite?

Kahiko is it for me. The power of the pahu drum and intensity of the Kumu's chant often times give me chicken skin. That, combined with a group of kane and/or wahine dancers in unison with a gaze of seriousness or anger in their eye is just awesome. I can't stand when Kahiko dancers smile. IMO, Kahiko should be a serious dance, meant to stir the likes of Pele the Fire Goddess.

My absolute favorite performances of Kahiko at the Merrie Monarch were by the great Johnny Lum Ho and his Halau Hula O Ka Ua Kani Lehua. Awesome.

[kimo55]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

you have to define it? here?


I dun like auana or at least the part that morphs and changes upon the arrival each April in Hilo...
New junk coming out alla time and they justify it by calling it auana.


and the webcast archive only has auana! da buggaz!

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

As someone who dances both, I thought this would be a tough call - so let me put it this way ---

If I'm dancing it, I feel more strength in my kahiko work; that might just be a "masculine" thing, though. But watching a great `auana dancer will captivate me in a way that kahiko generally doesn't.

So, kahiko when dancing, `auana when watching.

[kimo55]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

As someone who dances both,

Ho!
I am duly impressed.


usta dance kahiko often in Kailua elementary school. and i think intermediate... Gotta take it up again.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

Gotta take it up again.

I'd wager that you'd be good at it, too; you'd bring knowledge and respect with you.

[Miulang]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

I much prefer the older kahiko and some of the contemporary kahiko that's being interpreted from the old (like the hula "Hele Mai Pele"). Just awesome.

I appreciate the 'oli and the strength that it takes for the men's kahiko. I can sit and watch 'auana in limited doses, but I could sit still for hours, mesmerized by hula kahiko, both the dance itself and the 'oli. It gives me chicken skin. Just the pahu and the 'oli are enough for me. No need for the slack key guitar or even the uke.

Miulang

[kimo55]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

I appreciate the 'oli and the strength that it takes for the men's kahiko. I can sit and watch 'auana in limited doses, but I could sit still for hours, mesmerized by hula kahiko, both the dance itself and the 'oli. It gives me chicken skin. Just the pahu and the 'oli are enough for me.

exactly.
my fave was about 5 years ago or so, kahiko, Kane... who re-enacted a Kamehameha Canoe battle and they all carried out their own Koa Paddle/spears that they each were required to handcraft themselves. The initial procession was led by this dude who stood about a foot taller than the rest of them. Incredibly powerful show. cheekin skeen is rite!

[alohabear]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

I like Kahiko when the kane do it.
Auana ... the women look awesome.

BTW... does anyone remember the topless kahiko wahine during Merry Monach?

[Glen Miyashiro]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

I remember. She wore too much maile.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

BTW... does anyone remember the topless kahiko wahine during Merry Monach?

How could anyone forget? Let the story be told...

[kimo55]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

BTW... does anyone remember the topless kahiko wahine during Merry Monach?

was it really that long ago? i think i have it on video...

"In 1993 the brothers found themselves at the center of another tempest when one of their dancers performed hula kahiko (ancient hula) topless at Merrie Monarch, after researching what women wore in Waipio Valley before Western influence. A combination of a kapa wrap, maile leis and the dancer's long hair covered the dancer's breasts as completely as a bra, James said. Even so, it was a move regarded at the time as disrespectful and sensationalist."

http://starbulletin.com/2002/10/17/features/story1.html

[Miulang]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

was it really that long ago? i think i have it on video...

"In 1993 the brothers found themselves at the center of another tempest when one of their dancers performed hula kahiko (ancient hula) topless at Merrie Monarch, after researching what women wore in Waipio Valley before Western influence. A combination of a kapa wrap, maile leis and the dancer's long hair covered the dancer's breasts as completely as a bra, James said. Even so, it was a move regarded at the time as disrespectful and sensationalist."

http://starbulletin.com/2002/10/17/features/story1.html

So was that hula captured on the Official 1993 MMF VHS tape as one of the "highlights"?

Miulang

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

So was that hula captured on the Official 1993 MMF VHS tape as one of the "highlights"?

Or two?

(OUCH! Sorry! Sorry!)

[kimo55]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

So was that hula captured on the Official 1993 MMF VHS tape as one of the "highlights"?

Miulang

dunno bout the official VHS, i taped the whole show each year back then...

[Menehune Man]

Re: Hula: Kahiko or 'Auana?

dunno bout the official VHS, i taped the whole show each year back then...

I was in Fiji for awhile back in '92 - '93 and missed that one. I do watch most of the Merrie Monarch Festivals when I can. So Kimo, can edit a short or take a still shot from it to share?

I like Kahiko (alittle) more. Because of the power and presence I feel from it.
I like 'Auana for the lighter-heartedness and the dresses.