Punahou Sessions is a set of live music videos created and produced by Allen Murabayashi ’90. Originally conceived in honor of Punahou’s 175th anniversary, Punahou Sessions continues to celebrate the extraordinary depth and diversity of talent among alumni and students who create music. Visit www.punahou.edu/punahousessions for more information.
Performers:
Dancers: Sierra Kiefer ’21, Kristen Koike ’18, Raychel Oato ’21, Raiatea Reynolds ’20, Nani Tomich ’20, Jessica Wilson ’18
Chanters: Lauli‘a Phillips ’98 Ah Wong, Trisha Kajimura ’89, Lia Sheehan ’88
Producer's Note:
Composed for Kaumealani, a chiefess of Waialua, by her mother Kapela, during the time of Kamehameha I
Hawaiian culture has witnessed a significant resurgence over the past few decades. At Punahou, 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) is now offered as an immersion program for keiki, and also for language requirement fulfillment credit in the Academy. Hawaiiana is imbued into programs like outdoor education, and students are arguably more culturally aware than ever before.
One of the most enduring traditions is the May Day and Holokū celebrations, which actually began at the school in the early 1900s. In those days, May Day was modeled on the English Maypole Dance. But in the 1940s and 1950s, May Day at Punahou started to incorporate some of the elements of the contemporary celebration like island princesses and kahili bearers. When Dave Eldredge ’49 took over the program in 1965, he steered it to reflect more cultural and historical awareness and developed the template for the school’s modern Holokū celebration.
It was as a junior in the late 1980s when I joined the Holoku 'ohana as a member of the live band since I lacked the coordination critical for any form of dance, let alone hula. I knew Uncle Dave from 8th grade Hawaiiana class, but it was a completely different level of engagement with the producer, narrator and visionary of the modern Holokū. And the experience of being a part of what was, at the time, one of the few Hawaiiana programs on campus was exhilarating.
Upon his retirement, Dave passed the reins to his sister, Aunty Hattie Eldredge ’66 Phillips who carried on the tradition until her death in 2010. Today, the legacy has been carried on by Phillips’ daughters, Lauli‘a Phillips ’98 Ah Wong and Leilehua Phillips ’95 Utu.
We have featured Hawaiian music and Hula ’auana (modern hula) with Punahou Sessions in the past, but I knew I wanted to incorporate Hula kahiko. But getting a halau together for a Sunday afternoon takes a little more planning and coordination. Fortunately, Lia Sheehan ’88 has both the planning and hula skills that made this particular session possible with one of the school kahiko groups, Ka Wai o Punahou.
Not only did the students learn the dance, but they participated in making the lei they wore for the taping, and showed up 3 hours in advance to prepare their costume and makeup!
You might not recognize the location. But the backyard off the Alumni House on Rocky Hill provided a picture perfect, secluded spot for this foundational chant that uses both the pahu (drum) and pūniu (coconut shell knee drum).