Oli (chant) & HULA
Saturday, April 29th, 9am -1pm
Oli and Hula with Kumu Hula Mary Kupau
Kualoa Regional Park (Campground A)
Facilitated by our company Hawaiian cultural advisor, ʻAuliʻi Aweau, participants will learn about the theme hoʻokupu (to offer; to sprout), the moʻolelo of the space and land, and set intentions for this journey together. The activities are followed by learning an oli and Hula rooted in the ahupuaʻa (traditional land division) of Kualoa and Hakipuʻu from Kumu Mary Kupau.
The oli and Hula will be continued for the May and June sessions to get participants ready for the culminating hōʻike on October 28th, 2023 at KEY Project. Interested participants can also sign up for the weekly rehearsals with our professional dance company on Sundays 10am-noon at Page Dance Academy (Kaimuki).
We welcome participants to attend all monthly sessions from April to October and showcase at the hōʻike!
ALL AGES WELCOME!
culutral practitioner: KUMU HULA MARY KUPAU
The busy, dedicated, single mother of 3 children (2 boys & 1 girl) is a born and raised Wai`ahole native, on the island of O’ahu, to Oliver Kupau Jr. and Janet Kupau. She is the youngest of 8 children. Living in the windward district of O`ahu, Kumu Mary received her grade school education from Wai`ahole Elementary School, S.W. King Intermediate School, and is a proud graduate of James B. Castle High School. After her completing her grade school education, Kumu Mary continued her education at Windward Community College.
Mary always had a passion for the art of hula and the determination to perpetuate her Hawaiian culture. In 1979, at the age of 12 she started dancing hula with Kuhai Halau ‘o Kawaikapuokalani pa ‘olapa kahiko, under the direction of Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Mary is remembered by many as one of four original hula dancers that performed Kawaikapuokalani’s famous song, “Aerobasize”, her biggest fan--- her Dad, who supported her every move in hula and love to watch Mary light up with joy, happiness and pride while she danced.
About edible tales: Ho`okupu
Edible Tales: Hoʻokupu center Native Hawaiian wisdom and turn stories about food and ʻāina into community-centered dance exploration, actions and solutions. Our 2023 theme Ho`okupu (to offer, to sprout), explores the reciprocal relationship between giving and receiving, our interconnectedness to each other, and shared pathways to build community resilience and collaboration.
Edible Tales: Hoʻokupu is a 6-month journey taking place on-site on loko iʻa, loʻi, pā honu, urban community gardens and even tūtūʻs kitchen. We invite you to join us on one or all of the events!
Edible Tales: Hoʻokupu is partially funded by Hawaiʻi Council For the Humanities and National Endowment for the Humanities.