Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 8, 1 August 2011 — CHARLES KAʻUPU [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHARLES KAʻUPU

The voice that could eall the wind is silent. Kumu Hula Charles K. Ka'upu, Jr., known for his expertise as a Hawaiian cultural practitioner, chanter, hula master and protocol expert, age 53, passed awayon July 12. Ka'upu was cultural adviser to the Old Lahaina Lū'au for 22 years. With the musical group Hapa, he offered Hawaiian chants to audiences who had never heard such a sound. He eollahorated with Clifford Nae'ole on the Kāhili Award-winning Ritz-Carl-ton Kapalua Celebration of the Arts, sharing Hawaiian culture and storytelling for 1 9 years. Famed for his massive ti leaf lei po'o, he was even a radio disc jockey, known lovingly as the "Bushman" of KPOA Maui FM radio. His older sister, Julie Ka'upu, describes her brother as a boy who always honored his kūpuna. With five sisters, she asks, "Was he a bit spoiled - yes!" She mentions that her brother loved traveling to Japan where he consulted with four hula hālau. A consummate student, he asked a kupuna how to learn Hawaiian language. Her answer was, "Go getyour grandmother's Hawaiian Bible and learn to read it!" He did. Stella Burgess, Hawaiian consultantfor the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort, was working with Ka'upu on the resort's annual Nā Hana Lima cultural event. She knew men who wanted to dance hula and Charles was willing to teach. At the 2009 Celebration of the Arts, seven of the men offered a premiere performance of Ka'upu's new hālau, Pā Hula Nā Kāne 0 Keoneloa. When they completed their hula people remember that the room was still, then it erupted in cheers and applause. It was as if an ancient band of warriors crossed over from beyond. Perhaps he is there now, chanting for them. A celebration of life is planned for Aug. 4 at Kaumakapili Church on O'ahu and later in August at the Old Lahaina Lū'au grounds on Maui, followed by a scattering of the ashes. — Lynn Cook

— < HEHO'OMANA'O >— IN MEMORIAM

Photo:Lynn Cook