[Ccpg] Hawaiian Hula & The Environment

[Santa Barbara Permaculture Network]

Laka is the Forest – Hula & the Environment
A Dance-Illustrated Lecture

Saturday, May 17, 7:30 pm
Location:Santa Barbara City College, Fé Bland Forum,
West Campus
Guest Artist:Kumu Hula (Hula Master), Kehaulani Kekua

with her 2 lead dancers
of the Traditional Hula School of the island of Kaua’i:

Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai

Sponsored by The Institute of World Culture

The traditions of hula are inextricably connected 
with the wildwood of Hawai`i’s native forests.

In this vibrant presentation, selected chants and 
dances will illustrate the transmission of 
Hawaiian environmental knowledge from hula Master 
to pupil. The kumu hula (Hula Master) conveys to 
the student the responsibility to nurture the 
life of the forest. In her exposition, Kumu 
Kehaulani Kekua brings to light the sacred 
ecology taught through the protocols and 
practices of a traditional hula school. The 
extensive curricula of a traditional halau (hula 
school) include knowledge of native Hawaiian 
plants prescribed to the guild of hula. Chanting 
affirms and maintains the sacred relationship 
between the hula disciple and the living beings of the earth and heavens.


Price:$15 General Admission, $5 Students/Seniors (cash only)

Laka is the Forest – Hula & the Environment (continued)

Ecological Overview:

Native Hawaiian forests are the sanctified abode 
of ancient Hawaiian deities whose mana or 
spiritual energy continue to inspire procreative 
cycles of some of the rarest forms of native 
flora and fauna. Without the physical 
interference of mankind, the forest is a place 
where every living organism is genetically 
engineered by nature to regenerate itself. From a 
Hawaiian perspective, life and living is 
contingent on the sustenance provided us through 
the watersheds and natural resources of the land. 
Thus, encouraging the progress of pristine growth 
reinforces the health and continuance of humanity.


Laka is the patroness of the hula. Laka is the 
forest. She dwells in the highest, most sacred 
upper regions of the islands
on the ridges, in 
the valleys, as well as in the wet bogs that 
crown the summits and slopes of Hawai`i’s 
volcanic mountains. Laka’s forests enable for the 
islands’ rivers and streams to disperse 
nourishment to the social structure of the 
land
all the way to the shore and out to sea.


Kumu Hula, Kehaulani Kekua - Hula Master of the 
school Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai - will expand 
upon the spiritual philosophies of hula, 
highlighting the importance of Hawai`i’s fragile 
environments. “For today’s contemporary hula 
practitioner, a healthy native forest is 
necessary for our existence and cultural 
survival,” says Kumu Kehaulani. “We trust deeply 
in our ancestral memories and the wisdom that is 
deeply rooted in the `aina or land. Our decisions 
that we make today are dependant on this precious 
source
enabling a balanced progression into this 
modern day and time and for the traditional hula 
practices that will continue into the future.”


Kumu Kehaulani Kekua:


The Institute of World Culture proudly announces 
a rare visit from Kumu Kehaulani Kekua, Master of 
the ancient hula tradition of Kaua’i. Drawing 
upon Hawaiian culture, history, dance, and 
chanting, Kehaulani and her two lead dancers will 
offer a wide-ranging selection of workshops and 
presentations in Santa Barbara from May 16-19. 
More information is available at 
<http://www.worldculture.org/>www.worldculture.org.


Born into a family of hula Masters, Kehaulani 
Kekua was chosen by her grandmother at birth to 
perpetuate the teachings of her ancestors 
established centuries ago in the celebrated hula 
temple (heiau) of Wahiawa, Kauai. Kehaulani 
acknowledges the late Kahuna Wahine, 
Mahinake`oke`o Kele who first inspired her to 
seek the truth and knowledge of Hawaiian 
ancestral beliefs and customs in spirituality. 
With a life-time of formal training in Hawaiian 
ceremony and protocol, Kumu Kehaulani Kekua hails 
from an ancient oral tradition transmitted by 
some of Hawai’i’s most revered masters. One of 
her great gifts is her unique ability to share 
without compromising her Hawaiian heritage with the outside world.

Institute of World Culture • 1407 Chapala Street, 
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 • (805) 966-3941 • 
<http://www.worldculture.org/>www.worldculture.org

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