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FESTIVAL DANCERS

HALAU 'O KEIKIALI'I

Formerly

HALAU ALOHA PUMEHANA `O POLYNESIA

NATIONAL/ETHNIC IDENTITY: Hawai'ian
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Kawika Alfiche
First Appearance in SF EDF: 2001
Website: www.apop.net

Hawaiian dance and music are inextricably linked to the land. The ancient chants and movements passed from one generation to another reflect and evoke diverse aspects of the lush terrain and rich surrounding nature of the islands. They also honor significant deities, leaders and ancestral places that are a vital part of Hawaii's history. The text of the songs often have an additional layered meaning, which is believed to be a code of conduct to guide generations to understand cultural etiquette.

Halau `o Keikiali'i, formerly Halau Aloha Pumehana `o Polynesia, was formed in San Francisco in 1994. Led by kumu hula (hula master), Kawika Alfiche, the school has over 80 members ranging in age from 5 to 75. They are the first Hawaiian company in the United States to own the land and studio in which they study and practice. Here, the community grows indigenous plants both for food and to use in costume making. To fulfill their mission of preserving and perpetuating traditional Hawaiian culture, dance students also learn Hawaiian language, chants and even how to make natural dyes, leis and other implements used in the dance.

2005 PERFORMANCE

TITLE OF PIECES: Ki'ina ia Aku Na Pae Moku (for King Kalakaua), Pau'ole Ko'u Aloha (for Queen Lili'uokalani), O'Wailuku Kau I Ka Hano, and Tu 'Oe (procreation dance)
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Kawika Alfiche
DANCERS: Vilma Agcaoili, Johnny Almony, Kalei Alonzo, Kale Ancheta, Maka Aniciete, Julie Apana, Marisza Barreras, Melika Belenzo, Christine Butac, Rosanne Campbel, Ryan David, Raj Desai, Corinne Domingo, Tiffany Evangelista, Valerie Evangelista, Leilani Fernandez, Raquel Gomez, Ka'imi Horiuchi, Kalani Lobato, Tiffany Mariano, Lulu Masaganda, Kia`I Maurille, Raena McBride, RJ Mendoza, Amethyst Monce, Jackie Patricio, Anjal Pong, Michelle Sawa, Charlene Tabasa, Jennifer Valiente, Charisse Zarate
MUSICIAN: Kawika Keikiali'i Alfiche (pahu) (ipu heke)

There are many different styles of Hula dance. The most ancient is the kahiko style and is characterized by being done aiha `a, or close to the ground. The dancers' feet are flat, with knees bent and torsos slightly tilted forward to be more connected to the earth from which they receive life-giving energy. In 2005, Halau `o Keikiali'i offers a suite of dances which honor the chiefs and monarchs of Hawaii. These dances and accompanying chants recall the beginnings of several significant events in Hawaii's history.

The first piece was written originally as a prayer for Hawaii's seventh ruler, King Kalakaua, as he set out on his journey to circumvent the globe. He is said to be the first Head of State to succeed, and his last days were in San Francisco when he passed in 1891. The second piece honors the last reigning monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani, sister of King Kalakaua. Performed by a child in the community, it refers to the adoration shared between the children and the Queen.

Not often performed publicly, the third piece uses the papa hehi, or treadle board. It signifies proliferation of the royal lineage. Following traditional protocols, the group concludes with a procreation dance honoring the lineage of chiefs. This unusual form of hula, which is rarely performed in public, is known as 'ohelo and is performed seated. The costumes worn during these dances reflect various aspects of different kings and queens who ruled throughout Hawaii's history.

2004 PERFORMANCE

TITLE OF PIECES: He lua I ka hikina (Fire Creation chant)
Ho`opuka e ka la ma ka hikina (entrance dance), Aia la `o Pele (dance), Kilauea (dance), Nou Paha e ka Inoa (creation/procreation/fertility dance)
CHOREOGRAPHY: Kawika Alfiche
DANCERS: Vilma Agcaoili, Johnny Almony, Kalei Alonzo, Kale Ancheta, Maka Aniciete, Julie Apana, Melika Belenzo, Rosanne Campbell, Kale Cuaresma, Ryan David, Raj Desai, Corinne Domingo, Leilani Fernandez, Raquel Gomez, Ka'imi Horiuchi, Tiffany Mariano, Lulu Masaganda, Kia'I Maurillle, RJ Mendoza, Amethyst Monce, Anjal Pong, Michelle Sawa, Charlene Tabasa, JR Tarape, Jennifer Valiente, and Charisse Zarate

The kahiko, or ancient dance, is done in an aiha `a, or, "close to the ground style." The dancers' feet are flat, with knees bent and torsos slightly tilted forward to be more connected to the earth from which they receive life-giving energy. Even the instrument played, a gourd, and the adornment worn, fresh greenery, come from the land. The costume's bold shades of red and black symbolize the powerful rivers of molten lava and ash of Hawaii's famous volcanoes.

Through their chants and dances the company pays tribute to the great Hawaiian goddess Pele, known as the goddess of all volcanic activity. Pele is regarded as both destroyer and giver of life; she personifies the cycles of nature from birth to destruction to rebirth. The opening Fire Creation Chant poignantly invokes Pele. The first dance, a ritual dance meaning "rise sun in the east," is performed to a song summoning the awakening of life and bounty of nature. The main dance, Aia la `o Pele, tells stories of Pele's life, her sister and her destructive ways. Kilauea, the name of Pele's home, speaks to her great powers. The final dance is a fertility dance honoring creation and the continuity of life. It refers to the pit, or center of volcanic activity, also a metaphor for the source of our own creation.