Events

Hālau Kiawekūpono O Ka Ua hails from O’ahu, Hawai’i.  The hālau’s name refers to “a good streak of rain” – or, in another interpretation, “a streak of righteousness” – and its genealogy goes back many generations. Kumu Hula (“hula teacher”) Dietrix Jon Ulukoa Duhaylonsod had his ’uniki on the Big Island of Hawai'i, after which his kumu, Al Makahinu Barcarse, gave him blessings to carry on the tradition. The hālau will be in residence at Carleton October 24 through 29, during which time they will participate in a cultural exchange with Native American drummers and dancers at the American Indian Center in Minneapolis on Thursday, October 26, at 7 p.m. They will also offer a free master hula class at Carleton College on Friday, October 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Weitz Center Large Dance Studio, Room 165.

The hālau is now in its eighteenth year and has participated in many events such as: Hula ‘Oni E Festival, Kapu‘uola Festival, Mālama Kapolei Festival, and Ho'i Mai I Ka Piko World Hula Festival, all on O‘ahu; Guahan/Asia Hula Festival in Guam; Iā 'Oe E Ka Lā Hula Festival and George Na‘ope Hula Festival, both in California; George Na'ope Kāne Hula Competition on Hawai‘i Island; Moloka‘i Ka Hula Piko Festival on Moloka‘i; and various other community events.  The hālau has also participated in cultural exchanges at home and abroad with the Ainu of Hokkaido; the Saami of Norway; the Chamoru of the Mariana Islands; the Lakota and Ojibwe of Minnesota; the Maori of Aotearoa; the Tjapukai of Cairns, Australia; and various other First Nations of Canada and Greenland.

Many of the hālau members are activists for social justice. In early October, the hālau’s kumu testified for Chamoru self-determination at the United Nations in front of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).  He has also testified with the Hawaiian delegation (Pacific Caucus) at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  The other members of the hālau are equally engaged in community affairs to make the world a better place.

Sponsored by the Public Works Mellon Grant, Class of '57 Visiting Scholar for Interdisciplinary Studies Fund, Asian Studies, Religion, Studies in the Arts, American Studies, CAMS, Chaplain's Office, Dean's Office, Environmental Studies, History, Theater and Dance, and Women's and Gender Studies.