For the past 25 years, Hewett has been known internationally for his hula expertise and his talent as a haku mele, or songwriter. Perhaps best known as the kumu hula of Kūhai Hālau O Kawaikapuokalani Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko, Hewett also is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner, the show director and Hawaiiana consultant for Royal Lahaina Resort, and a frequent lecturer at Windward and Maui Community Colleges.
“I believe in Bishop Museum’s Nā Kumu Hula program because it explores the soul of hula, its history and its emotion. There’s a powerful realm of hula that does not meet the eye, but instead moves the soul to dance,” said Hewett.
The Nā Kumu Hula workshop incorporates the essential educational components required to understand hula: mo‘o kū‘auhau , the kumu hula providing his/her hula lineage and hula background before the teaching begins; mo‘olelo, the act of telling the stories surrounding the hula number; mana‘o, handouts that demonstrate the immediate connection one will have to make in order to understand the story of the dance; e hula mai, the teaching of hula basics; ho‘opuka, the implementation of choreographed dance; and pani, encouragement and spiritual well-being consistent with hula and the spirit of aloha.
In addition, kumu hula may address the following practices: implements (hula instruments in the dance), ‘Ōlelo (the Hawaiian language), oli (chanting), hula kāhiko vs. hula ‘auana, loea (Hawaiian arts and crafts, skills), and ka wā kāhiko (customs and protocols).
The Nā Kumu Hula workshop cost is $250 per person. Kama‘āina interested in participating in the workshop will receive a 20% discount. The first two days of each workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a break from noon to 2 p.m. for lunch and free time to explore the Museum. On day three, participants are invited to a dinner show where they will have an opportunity to perform chant, mele and dance learned from their kumu hula. Upon completion of the workshop, participants receive certificates of accomplishment signed by the kumu hula.
For more information or to enroll in Bishop Museum’s monthly Nā Kumu Hula workshop, call Janet Miyake at (808) 847-8291, or visit aloha@bishopmuseum.jp or www.bishopmuseum.org. Space is limited. The schedule of the invited kumu hula is subject to change.
A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years; special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Association members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit w w w. bishopmuseum.org.