Iolani Luahine
Encyclopedia
Iolani Luahine born Harriet Lanihau Makekau, was a native Hawaiian kumu hula, dancer, chanter, and teacher, who was considered the high priestess of the ancient hula
. The New York Times wrote that she was "regarded as Hawaii's last great exponent of the sacred hula ceremony," and the Honolulu Advertiser wrote: "In her ancient dances, she was the poet of the Hawaiian people." The 'Iolani Luahine Hula Festival
was established in her memory, and awards a scholarship award each year to encourage a student to continue the study of hula.
, near Captain Cook, Hawaii. Her given name was Harriet Lanihau Makekau, and she was the youngest of five daughters in a pure Hawaiian family that traced its genealogy to dancers and keepers of ancient Hawaiian rituals and chants. Iolani was raised by her great aunt Julia Keahi Luahine (1877–1937), who began educating her in the ancient Kauai school of hula when she was four years old. Her aunt Keahi was "the foremost hula instructor of her day and one of the last royal dancers from King Kalakaua’s and Queen Lili’uokalani’s court." When she was a child, she was afflicted with an illness in her eyes, and a kahuna nui (seer) said she had to be renamed Iolani, beautiful io, after io, the Hawaiian hawk
. Her eyesight reportedly cleared shortly after her name was changed. Iolani attended the Kamehameha Schools
, but her aunt removed her after learning that dancing hula was forbidden by the "missionary" institution. After leaving the Kamehameha Schools, Luahine attended St. Andrew's Priory, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, where hula dancing was permitted. Iolani later attended the University of Hawaii
where she began hula classes with Mary Kawena Pukui
. As Iolani's mentor, Pukui steered her away from the commercialized hula forms popularized by Hollywood films.
, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and her niece, Hoakalei Kamau'u. In 1947, modern-dance pioneer Ted Shawn
called her "an artist of world stature." She continued to perform and collaborate with other renowned hula artists, including her former teacher, Mary Kawena Pukui, and Lokalia Montgomery. She was featured in two documentary films, one in 1960 and the other in 1976, and several television programs.
She has been referred to as the "high priestess" of the ancient hula," a "link to traditional Hawaiian culture," and "the last handmaiden to the Hawaiian gods."
Her students and friends spoke of her lessons in a reverent manner. Luana Haraguchi called Luahine her greatest influence and said, "When she danced, she floated. Sometimes when she taught, she would just tell us a story, about the people, the types of rain and vegetation in a certain song. It could last two or three hours. That was the dance class."
Dorothy Thompson, a co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival
, an annual week-long hula festival in Hilo, Hawaii, described Luahine as follows: "Her dance was her life and her story itself. 'Io was such a beautiful person, an extraordinary dancer. She seemed like she would go into a trance. And her movements were like nobody else's."
Some who knew her told stories of Luahine's "mystic abilities." The Honolulu Advertiser
wrote that those who saw her perform "typically speak about the almost mystical experience she seemed to channel." Some say she had "a deep, spiritual connection to the hula goddess Laka
and the volcano goddess Pele." Others claimed that she "could call up the wind and the rain and could make animals do her bidding." In 1969, organizers of the Merrie Monarch Festival
were about to cancel their parade because of heavy rain, but Luahine said the rain would stop for two hours starting at 1 p.m. Even organizer Dorothy Thompson recalled: "She told me the parade had to start on time, at 1 o'clock, because the rain would stop for only two hours. It poured cats and dogs. At 1 o'clock on the nose the rain stopped, and at 3 o'clock the rain came down."
Hula master George Na'ope
told a story that the Queen of Tonga
and an FBI escort were visiting Hawaii, and the queen would not get out of the car because it was too windy. According to Na'ope's story, "Iolani turned around, chanted, and the wind stopped. After that, the queen and the FBI were supposed to go to a hotel in Kona, and instead they went to Iolani’s house in Napoopoo, where she summoned all the animals to greet the queen. Her dog barked, her cat meowed, her rooster crowed, her pig oinked, and they bowed to the queen. When someone said that they are not supposed to be at Iolani’s house, an FBI agent replied, 'If she can stop the wind, we are going to be here.'"
In 1970, Luahine and Lokalia Montgomery became the first recipients of Hawaii's State Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership. Luahine gained worldwide recognition and was invited to perform at the National Folk Festival
in Wolf Trap, Virginia
three times. She was also named a "Living Treasure" in 1972.
In 1972, she was still performing. Honolulu Star-Bulletin
columnist Ben Wood recalled playing recordings for her featuring Gabby Pahinui
, Sonny Chillingworth
, Atta Isaacs and Eddie Kamae
. He later wrote: "When the music started, Iolani fell silent and a distant look came to her eyes. Then she sprang up and started dancing to the music. I was in awe."
In 1985, Hawaiian photographer and historian, Francis Haar, published a biography of Luahine.
In 1997, a statue of Luahine (sculpted by Kim Duffet) was dedicated at the Hilton Hawaiian Village
, where Luahine performed in the 1950s.
In 2003, the 'Iolani Luahine Hula Festival was established to perpetuate the hula, the memory of Luahine, and her contributions to the preservation of hula and the Hawaiian culture. The festival awards a hula scholarship award each year to encourage a student to continue the study of hula.
In 2005, the documentary film, Keepers of the Flame: The Cultural Legacy of Three Hawaiian Women profiled Luahine, her teacher Mary Kawena Pukui
and Edith Kanakaole.
Hula
Hula is a dance form accompanied by chant or song . It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The hula dramatizes or portrays the words of the oli or mele in a visual dance form....
. The New York Times wrote that she was "regarded as Hawaii's last great exponent of the sacred hula ceremony," and the Honolulu Advertiser wrote: "In her ancient dances, she was the poet of the Hawaiian people." The 'Iolani Luahine Hula Festival
Iolani Luahine Hula Festival
The Iolani Luahine Hula Festival was established in 2003 with the goal of perpetuating the hula, and in memory of 'Iolani Luahine, a great hula dancer and teacher of the mid-20th century....
was established in her memory, and awards a scholarship award each year to encourage a student to continue the study of hula.
Early years
Luahine was born in 1915 in the village of Nāpo'opo'oHonaunau-Napo'opo'o, Hawai'i
Honaunau-Napoopoo is a census-designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 2,414 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Honaunau-Napoopoo is located at ....
, near Captain Cook, Hawaii. Her given name was Harriet Lanihau Makekau, and she was the youngest of five daughters in a pure Hawaiian family that traced its genealogy to dancers and keepers of ancient Hawaiian rituals and chants. Iolani was raised by her great aunt Julia Keahi Luahine (1877–1937), who began educating her in the ancient Kauai school of hula when she was four years old. Her aunt Keahi was "the foremost hula instructor of her day and one of the last royal dancers from King Kalakaua’s and Queen Lili’uokalani’s court." When she was a child, she was afflicted with an illness in her eyes, and a kahuna nui (seer) said she had to be renamed Iolani, beautiful io, after io, the Hawaiian hawk
Hawaiian Hawk
The Hawaiian Hawk or Io, Buteo solitarius, is a raptor of the Buteo genus endemic to Hawaii. Buteos tend to be easily recognized by their bulky bodies relative to their overall length and wingspan. The Io is the only hawk that is native to Hawaii, and fossil evidence indicates that it inhabited...
. Her eyesight reportedly cleared shortly after her name was changed. Iolani attended the Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
, but her aunt removed her after learning that dancing hula was forbidden by the "missionary" institution. After leaving the Kamehameha Schools, Luahine attended St. Andrew's Priory, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, where hula dancing was permitted. Iolani later attended the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
where she began hula classes with Mary Kawena Pukui
Mary Kawena Pukui
Mary Abigail Kawenaulaokalaniahiiakaikapoliopelekawahineaihonuaināleilehuaapele Wiggin Pukui , known as Kawena, was a Hawaiian scholar, dancer, composer, and educator.-Life:...
. As Iolani's mentor, Pukui steered her away from the commercialized hula forms popularized by Hollywood films.
Practitioner and teacher of the ancient hula
Luahine opened a hula studio in her home on Honolulu's Queen Street in 1946. There, she taught hula to students of all ages. Her well-known students included George Na'opeGeorge Na'ope
George Lanakilakekiahialii Naope , born in Kalihi, Hawaii, was a celebrated kumu hula, master Hawaiian chanter, and leading advocate and preservationist of native Hawaiian culture worldwide...
, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and her niece, Hoakalei Kamau'u. In 1947, modern-dance pioneer Ted Shawn
Ted Shawn
Ted Shawn , originally Edwin Myers Shawn, was one of the first notable male pioneers of American modern dance. Along with creating Denishawn with former wife Ruth St. Denis he is also responsible for the creation of the well known all-male company Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers...
called her "an artist of world stature." She continued to perform and collaborate with other renowned hula artists, including her former teacher, Mary Kawena Pukui, and Lokalia Montgomery. She was featured in two documentary films, one in 1960 and the other in 1976, and several television programs.
She has been referred to as the "high priestess" of the ancient hula," a "link to traditional Hawaiian culture," and "the last handmaiden to the Hawaiian gods."
Her students and friends spoke of her lessons in a reverent manner. Luana Haraguchi called Luahine her greatest influence and said, "When she danced, she floated. Sometimes when she taught, she would just tell us a story, about the people, the types of rain and vegetation in a certain song. It could last two or three hours. That was the dance class."
Dorothy Thompson, a co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Merrie Monarch Festival
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural festival that takes place annually in Hilo, Hawaii. It honors King David Kalākaua, who was called the "Merrie Monarch" for his patronage of the arts. He is credited with restoring many Hawaiian cultural traditions during his reign, including the...
, an annual week-long hula festival in Hilo, Hawaii, described Luahine as follows: "Her dance was her life and her story itself. 'Io was such a beautiful person, an extraordinary dancer. She seemed like she would go into a trance. And her movements were like nobody else's."
Some who knew her told stories of Luahine's "mystic abilities." The Honolulu Advertiser
Honolulu Advertiser
The Honolulu Advertiser was a daily newspaper published in Honolulu, Hawaii. At the time publication ceased on June 6, 2010, it was the largest daily newspaper in the American state of Hawaii. It published daily with special Sunday and Internet editions...
wrote that those who saw her perform "typically speak about the almost mystical experience she seemed to channel." Some say she had "a deep, spiritual connection to the hula goddess Laka
Laka
In Hawaiian mythology, Laka is the name of a popular hero from Polynesian mythology....
and the volcano goddess Pele." Others claimed that she "could call up the wind and the rain and could make animals do her bidding." In 1969, organizers of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Merrie Monarch Festival
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural festival that takes place annually in Hilo, Hawaii. It honors King David Kalākaua, who was called the "Merrie Monarch" for his patronage of the arts. He is credited with restoring many Hawaiian cultural traditions during his reign, including the...
were about to cancel their parade because of heavy rain, but Luahine said the rain would stop for two hours starting at 1 p.m. Even organizer Dorothy Thompson recalled: "She told me the parade had to start on time, at 1 o'clock, because the rain would stop for only two hours. It poured cats and dogs. At 1 o'clock on the nose the rain stopped, and at 3 o'clock the rain came down."
Hula master George Na'ope
George Na'ope
George Lanakilakekiahialii Naope , born in Kalihi, Hawaii, was a celebrated kumu hula, master Hawaiian chanter, and leading advocate and preservationist of native Hawaiian culture worldwide...
told a story that the Queen of Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
and an FBI escort were visiting Hawaii, and the queen would not get out of the car because it was too windy. According to Na'ope's story, "Iolani turned around, chanted, and the wind stopped. After that, the queen and the FBI were supposed to go to a hotel in Kona, and instead they went to Iolani’s house in Napoopoo, where she summoned all the animals to greet the queen. Her dog barked, her cat meowed, her rooster crowed, her pig oinked, and they bowed to the queen. When someone said that they are not supposed to be at Iolani’s house, an FBI agent replied, 'If she can stop the wind, we are going to be here.'"
In 1970, Luahine and Lokalia Montgomery became the first recipients of Hawaii's State Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership. Luahine gained worldwide recognition and was invited to perform at the National Folk Festival
National Folk Festival
The National Folk Festival is the name of several festivals that celebrate the folk music of a particular nation.*The Touring National Folk Festival in the US National Folk Festival...
in Wolf Trap, Virginia
Wolf Trap, Virginia
Wolf Trap is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 14,001 at the 2000 census. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is located in the CDP.-Geography:...
three times. She was also named a "Living Treasure" in 1972.
In 1972, she was still performing. Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin was a daily newspaper based in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. At the time publication ceased on June 6, 2010, it was the second largest daily newspaper in the state of Hawaii...
columnist Ben Wood recalled playing recordings for her featuring Gabby Pahinui
Gabby Pahinui
Charles Philip "Gabby" or "Pops" Pahinui was a slack-key guitarist.Gabby was born Charles Kapono Kahahawaii Jr. and later hānai-ed into the Pahinui family as Charles Philip Pahinui and raised in the Kaka'ako area of Honolulu in the 1920s...
, Sonny Chillingworth
Sonny Chillingworth
Edwin Bradfield Liloa Chillingworth, Jr., known as Sonny Chillingworth, was an American guitarist. Widely influential in Hawaiian music, he played slack-key guitar and is widely regarded as one of the most influential slack key guitarists in history.-Life:Chillingworth was born in Oahu in Hawaii,...
, Atta Isaacs and Eddie Kamae
Eddie Kamae
Eddie Kamae is one of the founding members of Sons of Hawaii. He is a 'ukulele virtuoso, singer, composer, film producer and primary proponent of theHawaiian Cultural Renaissance.-Biography:...
. He later wrote: "When the music started, Iolani fell silent and a distant look came to her eyes. Then she sprang up and started dancing to the music. I was in awe."
Posthumous honors and recognition
When she died in 1978, The New York Times wrote that she was "regarded as Hawaii's last great exponent of the sacred hula ceremony." The Honolulu Advertiser wrote: "In her ancient dances, she was the poet of the Hawaiian people." A mainland newspaper called her "the foremost hula dancer of the 20th century." The Honolulu Star-Bulletin called her "easily one of Hawaii's greatest dancers if not the greatest." And the Honolulu Advertiser wrote:"Yet, while Luahine certainly helped bring international recognition and respect to traditional hula, her impact in her home Islands might have been even greater in that she helped keep Hawaiian culture alive through the latter days of its suppression. ... As a kumu in her own right, Luahine, a longtime curator of the Hulihe'e Palace in Kailua, Kona, and an adviser to the Merrie Monarch Festival, would become one of the most ardent and beloved practitioners of ancient Hawaiian hula and chant."
In 1985, Hawaiian photographer and historian, Francis Haar, published a biography of Luahine.
In 1997, a statue of Luahine (sculpted by Kim Duffet) was dedicated at the Hilton Hawaiian Village
Hilton Hawaiian Village
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa, formerly the Kaiser Hawaiian Village Hotel, has been a popular hotel in the Waikiki area of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States since 1957. It is the largest hotel of the Hilton chain, with 3,386 rooms and with 7 towers...
, where Luahine performed in the 1950s.
In 2003, the 'Iolani Luahine Hula Festival was established to perpetuate the hula, the memory of Luahine, and her contributions to the preservation of hula and the Hawaiian culture. The festival awards a hula scholarship award each year to encourage a student to continue the study of hula.
In 2005, the documentary film, Keepers of the Flame: The Cultural Legacy of Three Hawaiian Women profiled Luahine, her teacher Mary Kawena Pukui
Mary Kawena Pukui
Mary Abigail Kawenaulaokalaniahiiakaikapoliopelekawahineaihonuaināleilehuaapele Wiggin Pukui , known as Kawena, was a Hawaiian scholar, dancer, composer, and educator.-Life:...
and Edith Kanakaole.