Kūlanihākoʻi

On October 15, 2011, my friend and I went to watch a theatrical Hawaiian performance named Kūlanihākoʻi. It showed the story of the twins, Manawainui and Hauola, and what they had to learn and go through before and while returning to the place where they were born, Kūlanihākoʻi. Ultimately, the story was overall about the living waters and the significance of it. I never did hear this moʻolelo, so I was very happy to learn about it. It did reinforce what I was taught before, which was that water is the source of all life and it is very important, especially to Hawaiians. The performance gave me plenty of insight into the story of Manawainui and Hauola and even the older Hawaiian ways as told down through generations. For example, it was interesting learning that the siblings both had knowledge in the particular area of water, but had different specific specialties. Manawainui trained in the earthly water resources while Hauola trained in the elemental forms of water, like the rain, mist, and clouds. I also didn’t know that the water deities are born again and again in successive generations and that at Kūlanihākoʻi, siblings are born, one being male and one female. I was so happy to learn all these new things about the Hawaiian culture because I love learning more and more about my cultures history and traditions. I was also glad to find out that I had learned some of the terms that were used in the show. We discussed in class that an ʻūniki was a learning of a cultural practice which leads to a formal graduation, and in the story, the siblings had to undergo an ʻūniki ceremony which took place at Haleakalā to begin their journey back to Kūlanihākoʻi.

            Overall, I feel I was truly blessed to have been able to watch that amazing performance by many gifted hula dancers and chanters. I felt like I was doing just a small part in supporting and showing my appreciation for the Hawaiians’ art of hula. I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to learn more about the Hawaiian way and learn more about Hula. It makes me feel stronger as a Hawaiian, every time I gain more knowledge of it.

References:

http://www.mauiarts.org/imagez/KulanihakoiStudyGuide2011.pdf
http://www.pitchengine.com/mauiartsculturalcenter/worldpremierehuladramakolanihakoilivingwatersatmacc