Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 1998 — "FROM DEEP WITHIN" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"FROM DEEP WITHIN"

By Manu Boyd KAMAHA'O KA 'ĀINA 'O MOLOKA'I," (astonishing is the land of Moloka'i), the simple yet profound opening line from the first cut, sets the tone for the debut CD, " From Deep Within," released by singer/composer/musician/ kumu hula John Keānuenue Ka'imikaua. To view peaceful Moloka'i as "kaniaha'o" (astonishing, wonderful, awsome), one needs a perspective that is far beyond superficiality. This project is imbued with spirit, poetry and life that eome from our native Hawaiian cultural environment, and, indeed, from deep within. "From Deep Wiihin ... Mai Ka Na'au Kūhohonu," reflects aloha, respect and commitment to a living culture. These, Ka'imikaua aptly exhibits in a series of Hawaiian and "hapa haole" cuts, all originals. Ka'imikaua's accomplishments as a kumu hula of his Hālau Hula o Kukunaokalā, established in 1997, permeate the project with tributes to the 'āina, akua and 'ohana. The presence of "Kawahinekapuheleikapōkāne," Ka'imikaua's deceased kumu (mentor) in Moloka'i hula traditions, is felt throughout the project. John Ka'imikaua is perhaps best known for his hālau's haunting performance of "Boki Kūmanomano o Kalaupapa," a mele hula celebrating the howling, supernatural dog of Moloka'i. This CD project, extending well beyond Moloka'i tradti-

tions, is testament to his understated diversity. Like many island

recording artists, i Ka'imikaua's offerings are influenced by

R&B, jazz and other non- ^ native genre. His hālau mem-

bers are a neh vocal component whieh helps transport you to places throughout Moloka'i as well as to 'Aiea on O'ahu where Ka'imikaua grew up. Fifteen selections comprise " From Deep Within." "He Kama A Hina" energetically praises the history and beauty of Moloka'i,

while "Dreary Afternoon" commemorates a lazy day at Oneali'i Beach Park in Kamiloloa. "Ka Beauty Poepoe Lanr is an upbeat tribute to the full moon, performed by his hālau at the Merrie Monarch Festival in 1997. He writes, "Aloha nō wau i ka mahina piha. .. no'u ka pā kōnane." (I love the full moon ... shining just for me.). "Rain," performed in English, speaks of the kilihune (fine, light rain) that sweeps from Ko'olauloa, across 'Aiea, towards the oeean at Pu'uloa. The CD booklet provides a weahh of information on the song selections and on general Hawaiian language and history. Footnotes give the reader background usually available only to researchers and those steeped in poetic lore. Liner notes by "Skylark" Rosetti beautiiully set the tone for the CD and booklet with photog-

I raphy by Philip I Spalding III and jf kapa designs recreated by Ka'imikaua as

f taught to him by his kumu. In 1991, John

^ Ka'imikaua established "Moloka'i ka Hula Piko," a

non-competitive hula testival on Moloka'i's west end where hālau hula and entertainers from across the islands gather to share their talents. According to Ka'imikaua, the hula was first taught at Maunaloa, on Moloka'i's west end. At Kā'ana and at Pu'u Nānā, La'ila'i settled

and created the revered dance form. Her ( descendant, Kapo'ulaklna'u, taught

outsiders wno eame to Kā'ana. Kapo's youngest sister, Kewelani, later to be named Kumu Hula John Ka'imikaua, with 'ukulele in hand, is surrounded by members of Hālau Hula o Kukunaokalā, the academy of hula and Moloka'i traditions he established in 1977.

Ulunui, Laea and Laka, eventually travelled the islands, sharing the legacy. And so Moloka'i is referred to as the source or "piko" of the hula. Hālau Hula o Kukunaokalā's mission is "to educate and enlighten all people about our Hawaiian ancestors — through the pre-Westem traditions and culture, dance and chant of the island of Moloka'i." Ka'imikaua meets his objectives by perpetuating traditions specific to Moloka'i alone, from kapa designs to vocabulary to obscure plaee names to sacred dances. A portion of the proceeds of " From Dcep Wiihin" will heip support the mission of Hāiau Hula o Kukunaokalā. E ō e Moloka'i Nui a Hina. ■