Hula Preservation Society

Pö Ao 1st Century Migrations 1700's 1800's 1900's 2000 2001 2002

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Beamer, Nona Kapuailohiamanonokalani Desha

Biography Personal Detail Hula Detail Hula Conversations Pele Stories & Compositions

Kupuna Name:
Beamer, Nona Kapuailohiamanonokalani Desha

Middle Names and Meaning:
Kapuailohiamanonokalani ( Precious flower, chiefess Manono )

Birthday:

August 15, 1923

Birth Place:

Honolulu

Brief Biographical Summary:

Nona Beamer was born in Honolulu but spent much of her childhood on the island of Hawai`i, with her parents in Näpo`opo`o and her grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer, in Hilo. Before she was three, she began her studies with her "Sweetheart Grandma," whom she considers her primary cultural influence. Nona's career includes almost 40-years of teaching at Kamehameha Schools, countless workshops throughout Hawai`i and the world, numerous publications, and 70-plus years of performing. She has dedicated her life to the education of Hawaiians and those who have a desire to learn about Hawaiian culture and hula.

Visuals:

Auntie Nona performing, Honolulu, Nov 2001

Nona Beamer holding ki`i (puppet), Honolulu, 1948

Nona Beamer receiving C&C of Honolulu Culture & Arts Award, Mar 2003

Award Recipients: Bebe Freitas (seated), Nona Beamer & "Dances We Dance"

	Chants Discussed

	`Oaka ë Ka Lani (The heavens flash) E Manono (O Manono) E Pele e Pele (O Pele, O Pele) He Moku Ka`ula (The island Ka`ula) Ho`i Kealoha i Ni`ihau (Love returns to Ni`ihau) Ho`opuka Ë Ka Lä I Kai O Unulau (The sun rises over the sea of Unulau) Holo Ana `O Kaläkaua (Kaläkaua is sailing) Ke Ao Nani (The beautiful world) Ke Ha`a Ala Puna (Puna is dancing) Keawe `O`opa (Keawe the lame one) Lili`u E (Queen Lili`u) Nou Paha (Yours perhaps) Pua`a (Pig)

	Hula Types Discussed

	Hula `Ili`ili (Dance with water-worn pebbles) Hula `O`opa (Dance as lame person) Hula `Ülili (Dance with spinning gourd rattle) Hula Ali`i (Dance for chief or monarch) Hula Ipu (Dance with hollow gourd) Hula Kä`eke`eke (Dance with bamboo pipes) Hula Ka`i (Entrance dance) Hula Ki`i (Dance with/as an image) Hula Papa Hehi a me Käla`au (Treadleboard dance with hand sticks) Hula Pele (Dance for Pele and family) Hula Pua`a (Pig dance) Hula Wahi Pana (Dance for legendary or historic places)

	Implements/Instruments Discussed

	`Ili`ili (Water-worn pebbles) `Ülili (Spinning gourd rattle) Ipu (Gourd) Kä`eke`eke (Bamboo pipe) Ki`i (Doll or puppet) Papa Hehi a me Käla`au (Treadleboard with hand sticks)