KAHEKILI
A unique historical and cultural experience!
Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt and hālau Pā'ū O Hi'iaka,
together with nā kumu hula Keali’i Reichel and Pali Ahue,
reconstruct the original hula drama Kahekili, which takes the audience into pre-contact Hawai‘i through chant, kahiko (traditional hula), Hawaiian martial arts, and dramatic narrative.
Kahekili was one of Maui’s paramount chiefs, and his kingdom included all of the islands except Hawai'i Island. His influential rule provided the gateway for King Kamehameha the Great to eventually unify all of Hawai‘i.
Click here for KAHEKILI EDUCATIONAL GUIDE
The chants and dances in Kahekili follow traditions and historical stylings, including ceremonies and cultural practices rarely performed on stage today.
KAHEKILI SCHEDULE 2008
Saturday, October 11, Castle Theater, 7:30 pm
The MACC presents… Hawai'i Maoli Series
Returning home to the Castle from their national and Hawai'i island tour, hula master Hōkūlani Holt and her hālau Pā‘ū O Hi‘iaka present the story of Maui’s great chief Kahekili in an original hula drama which includes chant, traditional hula kahiko, Hawaiian martial arts, and dramatic storytelling. Kahekili’s wildly successful premiere on this stage a year ago brings them back again by popular demand, for another compelling performance, like no other! Tickets: $12, $25, $40, 1/2 price kids 12 & under.
Kahekili was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces: Dance initiative, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts.
Additional support for 2008-09 season by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority/CNHA and The Charles Engelhard Foundation. Supported in part by National Endowment for the Arts, State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, County of Maui, Cole Family Foundation, Jimmy & Honey Bun Haynes and KPOA Radio.
November 2008
NRW Dance Festival 2008, Germany
The Kahekili cast was invited by Europe’s modern dance master Pina Bausch to perform at two major events in Germany: the prestigious Internationales Tanzfestival NRW 2008 in Essen, and the Internationale Tanzwochen in Neuss.
Kahekili Tour Schedule 2007-08 (.pdf)
Nationally recognized as an AMERICAN DANCE MASTERPIECE!
*
Kahekili premiered on October 13, 2007
at Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater.
The program, commissioned by MACC and co-produced by MACC & Kauahea Inc., was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpiece: Dance Initiative, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts.
Reviews and Articles:
Maui News review | Ka Wai Ola review | Centerpiece feature
Press Release Archive:
September 6, 2006
*NEW ENGLAND FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AWARDS $400,000 IN GRANTS SUPPORTING RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTAGING OF
SIGNIFICANT AMERICAN DANCE WORKS
Read more of this press release