Anna is a Haumana (student) of Kumu Hula Andrea Luchese, a member of the Papa Palapalai Group within her Kumu’s school "Halau Hula Ka Pi'o O Ke Anuenue" in Ashland, Oregon.
Kumu Andrea received her hula training with Kumu Raylene (Ha'alele'a Kawaiae'a) of Kohala, on the big island of Hawaii, Kumu Sybil Ku'upio Pruett, and Kumu Keala Ching. Kumu Andrea's focus is to perpetuate the teachings of her lineage and to promote and preserve the wisdom and knowledge of the Hawaiian culture and its traditional practices. This Hula was choreographed by Kumu Andrea, and her Kumu apprentices Tia and Lisa to whom we are humbly grateful for their work and artistry. This performance is the first time this Hula will have been performed outside of the Southern Oregon, USA area home of Kumu Andrea and her school and now to the world.
Aloha ahiahi! (Hello, Good evening!)
Mahalo nui for being here!
Hole Waimea, is dedicated to Sensei Karen Herdman, all the women, and to the Warrior within each of us.
Hole Waimea is a Mele Inoa, (a name chant) written for King Kamehameha I. This hula tells the story of the Kipu’upu’u, a band of warriors named after the fierce winds of Maunakea.
These warriors were known for their speed of attack and exceptional skill in spear fighting.
In preparation for battle, the Kipu’upu’u spent time in the Mahiki woodlands of Waimea. Deep in the woodlands, in the elements of wind and rain, they stripped bark to make their spears.
While doing so, they sang songs of love, yearning, and Aloha.
The final words of this hulu, “Imua e na poki’i” call to each of us to “go forward,” to stay
strong, and to persevere.
- Anna Spellman, 8th dan Ukinju-Ryu Karate-Do
Hole Waimea- The highlighted numbers correspond to the English translations of the Hawaiian text
Hole Waimea i ka ihe a ka makani,
Hao mai na ale a ke Kipuupuu,
Laau kalaihi na ke anu,
Oo i ka nahele o Mahiki.
Ku aku la oe i ka malanai [1]a ke Kipuupuu,
Holu ka maka o ka ohawai [2] o Uli [3],
Niniau, eha ka pua o koaie [4],
Eha i ke anu ka nahele o Waika e,
Aloha Waika iaʻu me he ipo la,
Me he ipo la ka maka lena o ke koolau [5],
Ka pua i ka nahele ma Huleia [6],
E lei hele i ke alo o Moolau [7],
E lau ka huakai hele i ka pali loa,
Hele hihini, pili noho i ka nahele,
O kuu noho wale iho no i kahua e,
O kou aloha kai hiki mai i o’u nei,
Mahea la i nalo iho nei.
[1] Waimea is tousled with shafts of the wind,
While the Kipuupuu puffs in gusts,
[2] The trees are blighted by the cold
That drives through the forest of Mahiki.
[3] You are pierced by the cold Kipuupuu wind
That sets the ohawai blossoms asway,
[4] Wearied and bruised are the flowers of Koaie,
Stung by the frost is the herbage of Waika.
[5] Waika loves me like a sweetheart,
Dear to me are the yellow centered koolau blossoms,
[6] The blossoms of the forest of Huleia,
[7] That are worn in wreaths at Moolau, Travel-wreaths for travelers on a long climb
To our homes in the wilderness,
Still do I cherish our old home,
For your love still visits me here,
Where have you been hiding till now?
For your edification and enjoyment, here are some of the Hula’s gestures to watch for and their meaning:
1. The Wind- The dancer’s hand will circle the head with one or two hands illustrating the palm fronds gently swaying to the tropical breeze of the islands.
2. The Rain- the Dancers hands will lift above her head and fall diagonally from upper right to lower left and vise versa to show the rain falling to the Aina (earth) driven by the wind to replenish it and its lush growth that sustains the people.
3. Keeping warm in the cold- the Dancer will fold her arms as if caressing herself and stroke her upper arms as if to warm herself in the cool night air or the warming embrace of a mate or lover.
4. Spear thrusts- The Dancer raises her fists as if grasping a sharpened spear and thrusts the imaginary weapon diagonally downward as if vanquishing a foe or perhaps hunting to feed their Ohana (family). This can be seen in the Hula going side to side, sometimes hopping on one foot or dancing on both feet.
5. The Beauty of the Flowers- The fingertips of the Dancers hands are drawn gracefully together and often pointed sky-ward to symbolize the love and beauty that Akua (God) has blessed these islands with are that which the warriors will defend.
6. Aloha (love)- The Dancers arms are drawn together as if gathering someone special in a warm embrace.
7. The Trees- The Dancer bends one arm horizontally at the elbow to signify the land and braces the elbow of the other arm on the land arm, fingers pointed skyward to be the trees of the islands that share the bounty of uses they provide to the people such as wood for canoes, utensils, shelter, and food stuffs.
8. The Steep Hills and Terrain of the Battles- The Dancers hands are drawn to the hip and both hands are lifted in an upward arc diagonally across the body from left to right or vise versa. Being that Hawaii are lush, mountainous volcanic island landscape, many of the battles fought were uphill conflicts crossing the valleys and forests of their homeland.
Music credit : Kamehameha Triology by Waipuna and Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu , from the CD E Ho'i Mai
