Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 5, 1 May 1999 — Leiʻohu Ryder's "Kukuipuka" a spiritual journey [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Leiʻohu Ryder's "Kukuipuka" a spiritual journey

By Manu Boyd AUI'SSHAREof i stand-out recordA ings continues to , J \ / ! escalatewith Y "Kukuipuka," the debut of Lei'ohu Ryder, a singer, composer and teacher who has mueh to share. As — - —

an educator at 'īao Valley School, Ryder inspires 'ōpio with lessons from an ancient legacy. Asa recording artist, her reach now extends

mueh further. V Named for a heiau at \ Pu'ukukui, " 'Kukuipuka' \ is a journey in eommunion with our spirit that nurtures the soul. It is our way of sharing faith, love, trust and honor," Ryder explains. "Eaeh song is devoted to a universal theme.

connecting the legacy of our \ ■ heritage to its source. It is this V 1 eommunion between our ancestral spirits and ourselves, that provides us with knowledge, insight truth, reverence, malama and aloha." Selections are in Hawaiian and Enghsh, and are all originals by Ryder and fellow teacher/performer Akoni Akana, the CD's co-produc-er. Traditional 'ōlelo no'eau (wise sayings) appear throughout the CD booklet, giving further breadth to the contemporary poetry.

Numerous references to hght and guiding ancestors illustrate a spiritual presence. Nearly forgotten plaee names are finding their way back to contemporary ears, reaffirming an age-old respect for the 'āina. A phrase heard in more

than one selection, "Kū ka lau lama," is interpreted by Mary Kawena Pūku'i as "Many torches stand." (There are many lighted bonfires, a signal of joy and victory). Perhaps the joy and victory celebrated here speak to the rekindled pride in who we are as Hawaiians and how we fit into the global community. "Nā Kia'i o ka Lau Lamakū," a group of Lahaina Intermediate

students, praise the beauty of Lahaina, Kahalawai, Moku'ula and Mikimiki in the opening mele oli exclaiming, "E ō, Maui nō ka 'oi!" Next, a mele for kūpuna is offered with accompanying mountain birds and Gregorian harmony creat- — -A ing a dream-like mood.

Uluwehi Guerrero, a ielow recording artist ffom Maui, assisted with musical arrangements, beautifully combining the talents of more than a dozen singers and musicians. Steel gui- \ tar adds nostalgia, yet the \ performances are fresh \ and invigorating. Guer- \ rero and Ryder's duet

of "La 'amaomao," already a hit, recalls the wind goddess \ La'amaomao and her \ magical calabash. \ " Wailau " is for \ Ryder's birthplace __J at Kahalu'u, O'ahu, and beck-

ons to the "'uhane kīhei pua," a spirit that strengthens and nurtures. "Aloha lives when we nurture eaeh other and practice the ways of our ancestors," she said. "Aloha allows us to bring forth the light of knowledge, understanding, forgiveness and love, perpetuating the sacred, blessed and divine." In metaphor and actuality, Kukuipuka is a refuge of healing that bids weleome to all who want to know its beauty. E ho'olono i ka leo o ia uka uluwehi. ■

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