Ka Leo O Nā Koa
Volume XIII
Issue 2
Kēkēmapa 8, 2017
A1
Kaniaupio finds self in chant By RIANN FUJIHARA news editor
Kamehameha Schools Maui junior Kaiʻulani Kaniaupio learned about different styles of oli while attending The Art of the Chanter 2017. Kaniaupio was joined by seniors Keʻala Cabanilla, Jaelynn Nobriga and junior Brennan “Ikaika” Mendez. They traveled to Oʻahu under the supervision of Nā Kumu Henohea Kāne and Kalei ʻAʻarona-Lorenzo. The Art of the Chanter 2017 was a two-day performance series with roots in 1986, when it began, and is hosted by The Kennedy Theatre and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa theatre program. Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole and Kealiʻi Reichel, founder of Hālau Keʻalaokamaile, were the coordinators of this event. Kaniaupio is a student who is heavily involved in her Hawaiian culture. She is a dancer for Hawaiian Ensemble, and she will be in Hawaiian 4 next sememster, making her the perfect candidate for this event. “We took those four haumāna because they each have or will have kuleana with oli in this school,
KAIʻULANI KANIAUPIO
and it was important for them to experience a variety of oli,” Kumu ʻAʻarona-Lorenzo said. Prominent Hawaiian chanters such as Pualani Kanahele, Pele Kaʻio, Keliʻi Ruth, Kapalaiʻula DeSilva, Snowbird Bento and Taupōuri Tangarō were highlighted in this event, which keeps oli traditions alive. Tangarō showcased mele no nā kamaliʻi and short riddles meant to tease cry babies, bald people, and skinny people. In a September interview with Hawaiʻi News Now, Kumu Kealiʻi Reichel said, “We have these individual practitioners come and choose a chant of their own desire. They vocalize it how they want, they dress how they want, and they present it as a set piece.” While there, the students were taught that one oli can be done in many different styles, and still mean the same thing. Kaniaupio gave the example of Kialoa Mossman who did a chant called Hele Hoʻi Ke Ala Ma Uka ʻO Kaʻū. This chant speaks of worshipping the connection of familial ties with Pelehonuamea and a gift offering. “Kialoa did this oli three different ways, using nonolo, a nasal voice; kepakepa, a fast rhythmic chant; and hoʻāeae, a chant with prolonged vowels. Although Kialoa did different syles of this oli, it still talked about his connection with Pelehonuamea,” Kaniaupio said. Kaniaupio said that it is her responsibility to make sure that kupuna voices don’t go unheard. “Oli is part of my everyday life whether it’s morning oli or asking for protection. Slowly, oli became a part of me. I oli because it is what is natural, and what inspires me to oli is the language. When learning oli, I learn the language by new vocabulary and sentence structures, all things that help me become a better speaker,” Kaniaupio said. Along with the chanter’s conference, these students visited the Bishop Museum, ʻIolani Palace, and Kānewai, a cultural resource center at The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. After this event, Kaniaupio said she would like to create her own oli or tell stories from traditional oli to share the meaning behind them with others. “Chanting connects me with my ancestors through building a connection with myself and elements around me. The connections that my voice can make builds upon my understanding on where I come from and who I am,” Kaniaupio said.
Dutro......................................A3
Kalaupapa..............................A4
Boys Basketball.......................D1
INDEX NEWS......................... A1 ʻĀHAʻILONO................ A4 LIFE............................ B1 EDITORIAL.................. C1 SPORTS...................... D1