The Famed Pihanakalani Hula Dance

For decades while living on the island, Gurudeva reached out to the Hawaiian community, invited them to events, involved them in our various temple consecration ceremonies. His love of the confluence of the two cultures continues this week.

On November 26th, Kumu Leihi'ilani Kirkpatrick and ten hula dancers came to the monastery with their friends and family, to dance the Pihanakalani hula, and chant the Pihanakalani Oli (chant). Kumu is among Kauai's most knowledgeable and beloved hula teachers, and it showed in the performances of her wahinis.

In her introduction she gave much praise to the monastery for caring for the aina (land) which her ancestors inhabited some 8-900 years ago. Such a joy to have them here, and to see their joy in a rare performance on sacred grounds. The rains held back, barely, as they danced from 3:30 to 5:30, and almost as soon as they finished the heavens opened to bless the event.

You can see a one-minute video here:

https://youtu.be/l2dxvCWodLI

Kumu and her dancers take a group photo in Siva\

s Gardens after the dances. '

Two blasts from the past. Gurudeva with Kauai hula dancers back in the 70s.

Receiving a traditional gift from the dancers.

Kumu Leihi\

ilani with her calabash drum (Ipu Heke) tells the story of the dance to the monks and visitors. It\'s an important part of Kauai history. '

Paramacharya welcomes the dancers on behalf of Bodhinatha and all the monks.

Amazingly, it took the dancers a full two months to make their dresses, hand print them, find the lei materials, make all of the leis. It\

s quite a discipline.'

So graceful, each gesture full of rich meaning.

They even made the cloth for their dresses, and died them yellow using turmeric roots which they themselves harvested.

Kumu with a big smile afterwards. Good job.

Tillainathaswami did the aerial videos, which you can see on the link.

After the performance, a tour of the sacred grounds.

It\

s a happy day, a day of fulfillment for the dancers. '

A brief visit to the Media Studio at day\

s end. '

A sweet confluence of two cultural rivers, continuing Gurudeva\

s connections with the Hawaiian culture and peoples. '

Family, friends and guests watch as Kumu gives instructions to the dancers.

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