My
eyebrows went up when Nona Beamer told me in that sweet-voiced,
determined way she has that there are 242 types of ancient hula
and 25 ancient Hawaiian musical instruments.
At least, that's how many the
Hula Preservation Society has documented so far.
This group wants to not only list
every type of ancient hula any kumu hula can remember but also
to videotape performances and file the tapes.
There isn't such a library in
Hawai`i now, except in the heads of kumu hula, and it's available
only if they share their knowledge.
Nona's daughter, Maile Kapuailohia
Beamer Loo, got the idea of compiling an ancient hula video
archives. She has a degree in artificial intelligence and makes
educational computer software.
The big surprise for
me was the number of different types of ancient hula. Sitting
hula and standing hula are just the tip of the iceberg. |
"There
are 82 types of animal dances," Nona said. "Pig, dog,
shark, kolea, to name a few. Some are entertaining, some are
tragic.
"The hula mu`umu`u is that.
It's about an armless and legless woman. I know only one but
I suspect that others are out there. One of the guiding lights
of hula is that not all knowledge rests in one place."
Daughter Maile said she's studied
the work of Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui, an authority
on the ancient hula, and found a description of the hula helo,
or reclining hula.
"It's done lying on one side
propped up on one arm," Nona explained. "My great
grandmother showed my mother. I saw it but haven't done it in
30 years. It takes a lot of strength in the leg muscles."
Nona is the matriarch of a hula
family that descended from her great-grandmother, wife of a
minister in Hilo. Being married to a minister didn't stop her
from teaching hula when he |
was
out of the house.
Nona is the matriarch of a hula
family that descended from her great-grandmother, wife of a
minister in Hilo. Being married to a minister didn't stop her
from teaching hula when he was out of the house.
A daughter married a colorful
Pete Beamer, who started repairing bicycles in Hilo and became
a millionaire. His wife led a hula troupe.
One of her most promising pupils
was granddaughter Nona, who began performing at age 3.
Nona admitted that some kumu hula
may not be comfortable with videotaping the ancient hula instead
of passing it down from teacher to student. The hope is to help
everyone learn more.
I don't know any hulas to a canoe
chant," said Beamer. "Maybe hulas about navigation
would be too factual, too much information that had to be told.
Too much rhythm might be a distraction."
If there are hulas to canoe or
navigation chants, the Hula Preservation Society wants to find
out.
The person to contact is Keahaulani
Castro at 225-2747; e-mail: hulapres@hula.net. |
