ALIVE FROM OFF CENTER: KUMU HULA: KEEPERS OF A CULTURE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of arts programs featuring the work of leading avant-garde artists in video, music, dance, theater, and film. This edition presents a documentary about the ancient Hawaiian art of hula, a dance practiced since the early Polynesians arrived in the islands around 500 A.D. Beginning with a brief overview of the history of hula and definitions of Hawaiian hula terminology, this program focuses on interviews with, and performance footage of, the "kumu hula" (master teachers), who have been largely responsible for keeping this art alive through the centuries, and who express strong feelings about the primary importance of the hula tradition in maintaining a unique and vital Hawaiian culture. It is explained that each kumu hula leads a "halau" (school of dancers), and these halau fall into two major styles of hula currently danced: "kahiko" (ancient hula), a mixture of dance and chants, featuring traditional Hawaiian percussive instruments; and "'auana" (modern hula) modern dancing and singing with western instruments. Performance highlights of these two forms are contrasted to illustrate the differences. Included are interviews with and/or footage of the following kuma hula: Aloha Dalire, Pua Kanahele, Nalani Kanaka'ole, George Na'ope, Charles and Nina Maxwell, Frank K. Hewitt. Also included is the following: footage of the various halau dancing at hula festivals and in pieces performed specifically for this program, including "animal dances" from three islands -- Elaine Kaopuiki's "turtle dance" from Lana'i, John Kaimikaua's "dog dance" from Moloka'i, and Nina Maxwell's "lizard dance" from Maui; and footage of the movie "Waikiki Wedding" (1937), with Bing Crosby and Shirley Ross, for which Louise Leiomalama Beamer served as dance and language advisor.
(Series title varies; as above, 1985-1991; as "Alive TV," 1991 onward.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: July 12, 1990
- RUNNING TIME: 0:27:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:34735
- GENRE: Arts documentaries; Dance
- SUBJECT HEADING: Dance; Hula (Dance); Hula teachers; Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1985-1996
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- For "Alive From Off Center":
- John Schott … Executive Producer
- John Ligon … Producer
- Blashfield, Jim & Associates, Inc. … Animation, Opening animation by
- Gerald Richman … Production (Misc.), Executive in Charge
- Neil V. Sieling … Production (Misc.), Acquisitions and New Productions
- Eugenio H. DiLorenzo … Production (Misc.), Production Manager
- Adine A. Thoreen … Production (Misc.), Production Assistant
- Citizen M … Theme Music by
- Newton/Bard Music … Music (Misc. Credits), Additional Music by
- Robert Hoffmann … Series Graphic Design by
- For "Kumu Hula: Keepers of a Culture":
- Neil Abercrombie … Executive Producer
- Robert Mugge … Producer, Director, Editor
- Vicky Holt Takamine … Producer, Interviewer, Dance Coordinator
- Ricardo D. Trimillos … Associate Producer, Music (Misc. Credits), Music Consultant
- Roy Tokujo … Production (Misc.), Project Administrator
- Robert Maier … Production (Misc.), Production Manager
- Ronald Letterman … Production (Misc.), Project Coordinator
- Adrienne L. Kaeppler … Dance Consultant
- Louise Leiomalama Beamer
- Bing Crosby
- Aloha Dalire
- Frank K. Hewitt
- John Kaimikaua
- Pua Kanahele
- Nalani Kanakaole
- Elaine Kaopuiki
- Charles Maxwell
- Nina Maxwell
- George Naope
- Shirley Ross