ʻEkolu Mea Nui
Teaching hula aboard the Spirit of Chicago in 2012
Mahalo to the Chicago Opera Theatre for inviting us to share some hula with their Teens in the Opera for All Summer 2020 program. Some of the ʻōpio (youth) are writing their own opera based around the statement “This I Believe” so we chose one ʻoli (chant) and one hula (dance) to share.
The ʻoli is “E Hō Mai” was written by Kumu Hula (Master Teacher) and Hawaiian cultural and language expert, Edith K. Kanākaʻole, as a means for her haumāna (students) to request to be granted knowledge. The hula is “ʻEkolu Mea Nui” which was composed by Robert J. K. Nāwāhine and based on I Cor 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”
This papa hula (hula class) is meant as a cultural experience and is only an introduction. Students who are interested in continuing their study of hula may wish to follow out weekly classes on Facebook or find a hālau in their local area. Although some info may be out of date, there is a listing of Hālau Hula around the world at Mele.com
We look forward to dancing with you all soon! For students who may want to watch a video to review or learn this hula as a medley with another song “Hallelu” they may want to view these lesson and review videos:
PAPA HULA LESSON on FACEBOOK: ʻEkolu Mea Nui + Hallelu (55:08)
