Hawaiian Myths & Legends
THIS IS 23-YEAR-OLD ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE SO IT COULD APPEAR BLURRY IF USING THE FULL SCREEN OPTION ON A LARGE COMPUTER.
HAWAIIAN MYTHS & LEGENDS A contemporary evening length work based on Hawaiian mythologies. (Original 1998 Production)
Artistic Director
Cheryl Flaharty
Assistant Directors
Caroline Sutton, Sami L. A. Akuna
Dancers
Sarni L. A. Akuna, David DeBlieck, David Kalahiki, Norbet Larsen, Dennis B. Miller, Summer Pardon, Tammy Metz Starr, Una Starbuck, Caroline Sutton, Andrea Torres
Lighting Design
Donald Ranney Jr.
Text
Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl
Original Music
Melinda Caroll and David Kauahikaua
Narrations/Chanting
David Kauahikaua, Violet Hughes, Leina'ala Heine Kalama, Kale lmua, and Charly Espina
Costumes
Designed and created by Cheryl Flaharty, Martha Hines, Margaret McKea, Jeff Haun, Andrea Torres, Lisa Castaldo, Caroline Sutton, Sami L. A. Akuna, Polly Lucke, Ann Tongg, JoAnn Taira, Summer Pardon, Willow Chang, Kurt Wurmil, Xie Xie LaRage.
PROGRAM
PO - AS ABOVE SO BELOW
Po - the Hawaiian underworld out of which all things are born, out of which the Gods descend, into which the spirit returns. The Kumulipo (beginning in po), Hawaiian creation chant traces these beginnings and establishes the concept of duality which is a prominent idea in many Hawaiian mythologies.
THE MYTH OF ‘OHIA AND LEHUA
YOU'RE THE ONE FOR ME
The story of the firey relationship between Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig God who shape-shifts between pig and man, and Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess.
POLIAHU
Snow Goddess of Mauna Kea
THE LEGEND OF PELE AND HI’IAKA
For Pele and Hi'iaka - bringer of life, hand of fate, and teacher to us all. We thank you.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Hawaiian Myths & Legends was created in 1997 and restaged in 2004 to incorporate new choreography, aerial dance, and live narrations. The work has been performed multiple times on ‘Oahu and toured to Maui, the Big Island, and Alaska. This footage is from the 1998 original production.
The work’s creation was filled with many lessons and much growth for myself and the dancers. Together we immersed ourselves in these beautiful stories, working with the Bishop Museum on the feather capes, and many kupuna along the way. The work’s creation, including a trip to volcano to bring offerings and dance with the spirits of nature, was the subject of a PBS documentary for the television show, Spectrum Hawaii.
Hawaiian Myths & Legends was the first contemporary production of its kind in the islands. The dancers accepted the challenges of portraying these sacred gods and goddesses and I feel they immersed themselves in their characters and they in them, to become one. I saw how this work's creation was directed by forces beyond us all. The falling into place of many elements constantly reinforced the desire to create. These ancient myths have shaped our existence in these contemporary times and I am sure that today these stories continue to live in us and through us.
It was an honor to work with the talents and hearts of Nalani, Melinda, David, Ala, Violet, and all of the dancers. The feather capes that appear in the work brought together the most beautiful 'ohana through the bundling of feathers. Bless the many hearts and hands whose mana went into these capes. I see the rainbow of feathers as the rainbow of peoples that grace these islands and carry forth the spirit of aloha that is ever present in these myths and legends.
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