Lāhainā

O ku‘u wahi ōpū weuweu la, nou ia. Let my little clump of grass be yours. To modern travelers, Lāhainā is well known as the quaint little town on Maui’s leeward coast During its recent past it has been a plantation town, – with sugar cane and pineapple fields all around it and a sugar processing mill in its center – the hub of Pacific whaling, and the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Its ancient past is very important to the Hawaiian culture. Long before Western contact, Lāhainā was called Lele, a place where ali‘i (royalty) came for respite, to surf, to play. Within its boundaries was Moku‘ula, a center of royal residence – and burial – now one of the most noteworthy archeological sites in all of Hawai‘i. This very place, the site of the Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, was once called Moali‘i. Because of Hawai‘i’s oral tradition, we can only speculate as to the name’s origin and we believe it was the name of a warrior to whom this land was given by his chief. In the tradition of old Hawai‘i where every passerby was greeted and offered food, we say “O ke aloha ke kuleana o kāhi malihini” – “Love is the host in strange lands” – confident you will leave this place not as a visitor to a strange land, but as a member of our ‘ohana (family).

Food

Food ‘Ono Kāhi ‘ao lū‘au me ke aloha pū. A little taro leaf is delicious when love is present. In ancient Hawai‘i, food meant much more than sustenance or even pleasure. Traditional Hawaiians believe they are actual descendents of the kalo (taro) plant, the main reason this staple is so significant. Every part of the kalo is used. The corm may be steamed, fried, baked or most traditionally, pounded into poi. The stems and leaves are most often used in laulau, luscious “packages” of fish, pork and kalo greens wrapped in ti leaves and then baked or steamed. Other traditional foods found in every local Hawaiian kitchen include ‘ulu (breadfruit), ‘uala (sweet potato), mai‘a (bananas), and, of course, the sea’s bountiful gifts. The centerpiece of every celebration was – and still is – the kālua pig cooked slowly for hours in an imu (underground oven). Succulent and mouth-watering, we say “ono loa!” – very delicious!

Hula

I le‘a ka hula i ka ho‘opa‘a. The hula is pleasing because of the drummer It may have started as religious ritual while also providing entertainment for the ruling class. Some believe it was originally performed exclusively by men. The kahiko (ancient) style is accompanied simply by a chanter’s voice and percussion implements. Missionaries tried to abolish it altogether and succeeded only in driving it underground. It re-surfaced, gloriously, during the reign of King David Kālakaua. With the arrival of immigrants and their musical traditions, it took on its ‘auana (modern) form. Assuredly hula is the most breathtakingly beautiful and popular of Hawai‘i’s performing arts. And yes, every hula does indeed tell a story. Listen to the oli (chant) and mele (song), to the implements and instruments, and take in every move the dancers make with their feet, their hands, their hips, and their eyes. Notice the subtleties and we guarantee your experience of hula will be all the more thrilling.

Performance

Ote‘a

We begin the evening’s entertainment with a tribute to the compelling tradition of the pahu (drum) with the Ote‘a, the famous and festive drum dance of Tahiti. The most powerful of the hula kahiko implements, the pahu may have been introduced to Hawai‘i by La‘amaikaiki, a prince of Tahiti. Hawaiians were said to have been awestruck by the sound when they first heard it from the shore as La‘a sounded the pahu on board his vessel. An ardent supporter of hula, La‘a introduced the drum to many hula teachers, inspiring their creativity.

Kahiko – the Ancient Hula

We present a series of hula kahiko which relate one of the most riveting stories in all of Hawaiian mythology. Pele the Fire Goddess sends her favorite sister Hi‘iaka on a journey the length of the Island chain in search of Pele’s lover, Lohi‘au,. Come, join us as we travel with her.

Missionaries & The Merry Monarch

In this section of our presentation, we give you a glimpse into Hawai‘i’s missionary era and then celebrate King David Kālakaua, the Merrie Monarch who is credited with giving hula back to his Hawaiian people. After being “banned” by the missionary, hula was performed publicly for the first time in more than half a century at the King’s coronation ceremony in 1883.

‘Auana – the Modern Hula

Come with us now on a nostalgic journey back to a simpler, a gentler time in these Islands. We invite you to enjoy the dances reminiscent of a time when beachboys serenaded their wāhine along the shore and the world was mesmerized by Hollywood’s versions of lovely hula hands.

Finale

We end tonight’s program by returning to our roots. We’re off to Tahiti for the exciting annual Fete Celebration featuring solo dancers. We have performed with love and reverence, for each dance is part of the history of the culture we honor.

Mahalo nui loa for visiting us this evening at Moali‘i, the home of the Old Lāhainā Lūʻau. We have been honored to share a little of the culture and history of our island home with you. Me Ke Aloha Pumehana, Warmest Aloha. 1251 Front Street, Lāhainā , Along the ocean in Historic Lahaina Town (808) 667-1998 www.oldlahainaluau.com