This company performed during the 1989 and 1990 seasons at Jacob’s Pillow under the direction of Helen Hoakalei Kamauʻu (1929-1998), the niece of ʻIolani Luahine, who was one of the greatest of all 20th-century Hawaiian dancers. Hoakalei got her start as a dancer with Luahine in the 1940s, then served as her chanter in the 1950s and 60s. Hoakalei founded her school in 1960 and was credited as a leader in the revival of kahiko, or ancient hula. In the Pillow debut appearance seen here, the program was shared with Ka Pa Hula Hawaiʻi Hula and American Indian Dance Theater. This opening chant, “ʻAnoʻai kuʻu wehi,” honors Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi.
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