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kuulei88
Akahai
USA
75 Posts |
 Posted - 02/16/2009 : 6:00:07 PM
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aloha kakou. It is so refreshing to see a turn to sincere and thoughtful reflection such as in this thread. So many folks have focused on defining what Hawaiian music is and who a Hawaiian musician is. One of the further complications is the relation of both Hawaiian music and Hawaiian musicians specifically to Hawai'i, as well as to indigenous maoli Hawaiian people. Any boundaries that confine Hawaiian music or Hawaiian musicians to Hawai'i immediately cut off Native Hawaiians who, for whatever reason, do not reside there. Any boundaries that confine Hawaiian music to Native Hawaiians immediately cut off the work of so many who labored long and hard and have made valuable contributions to the culture. Nor are boundaries drawn on musical grounds helpful either, for they risk shutting down creativity that may someday be looked back on as traditional.
What is really important to me? Three things: respect, trust, and tolerance. Respect for what someone has to offer, that it is an expression that they have chosen to put out there. You don't have to like it. But you don't have to disrespect it, either. Trust, that what has been put out there was done so in a gesture of generosity and sincerity. No musician worth his or her livelihood would jeopardize that livelihood by putting out anything less than the best that they can do, in the hopes that it may be meaningful to someone. It doesn't have to be meaningful to everyone. But if it is out there, then it was at least meaningful enough to the musicians and performers and creators to want to share it. Tolerance? I am at a loss to understand how "live and let live" became "live and let die." Whatever happened to " 'a'ohe pau ka 'ike i ka halau ho'okahi"?
Things like style, lineage, and learning do matter. But so do things like having something to say, searching for interesting ways to say it, and having the courage to put it out there. If we insist on policing boundaries, then we risk impoverishing the tradition we all love by foreclosing the unpredictable serendipity of creativity, and ultimately denying the tradition the possibility to grow and flourish. I hope I'm no longer around if that day ever comes to pass.
aloha,
amy k. stillman |
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braddah jay
Lokahi
235 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2009 : 7:40:20 PM
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| Dittos,on what braddah ed and kuulei88 posted.Me when I see non hawaiians dance hula,first I'm amazed,cause I know a lot of practice went into it.Second I look at them as a compliment to this art form and our culture.I wonder if those women who were rude danced the hula,I wouldn't think so,cause you know their kumu wouldn't put up with that kind of behavior,so my take is they most likely didn't even dance hula.And to the lady who's daughter quit dancing too bad cause,as strong as she felt and put into her passion,not only our loss,but hers too,in sharing with those who do appreciate.Das why hard.Aloha bradda jay. |
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Baritone
Lokahi
USA
136 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 04:12:53 AM
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Yes, Guitared (or is it Retard-Ed). I was that bigot. After SUPA and Momi and Greg and Blue Bridge Bash, I changed my tune. Earlier, twas the pronunciation, enunciation, phrasing, and 'coloring'. I sooooo critically critiqued. And, pouted only Hawaiians can do that correctly! And, "no sing the song if you don't know at least two interpretations". I was so retarded until Momi wen complement me one time and simultaneous apologize and simulataneously slap my face for not seeing the Aloha Spirit. Today, I bite my tongue because now I see the beautiful, spiritual transformation taking place ON DA SPOT...which is what my kupunas wanted.
Aloha!
Herb
Thanks, Braddah Ed and Sistah Momi, for ALL YOU STAY DO bout the "Aloha Spirit". |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 04:47:13 AM
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Amy - we sure missed you at the hula workshop this past weekend.
And speaking of that hula workshop, we were not the only non-Hawaiians at the workshop. Auntie Mapuana has over 300 haumana in her halau, and quite a few of them flew to Cleveland in February to take part in the workshop. Among her O`ahu haumana is an older lady, iriginally from Germany. She speaks with a very heavy German accent. She said she is Auntie's pepetual student, she has been haumana for over 20 years. I have had very serious thoughts about whether it is proper for me to learn hula, whether it is pono for one outside the culture to learn. I have come to the realization that the kumu does not look at the color of your skin or at your cultural background. The kumu wants to know if you will malama the hula, malama the customs, malama the tools, the mele, the stories, but most of all, have aloha for your fellow man. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
Edited by - wcerto on 02/17/2009 12:25:39 PM |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 05:47:16 AM
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Yes, I can be ignorant from time to time. Please forgive me for the way I presented my opinion. I saw the error loud and clear while reading the response from hula rider.
If was allowed to restate what I wrote, I would say that I am not for exclusion and that I am for local Hawaiian musicians. That is not the way I said it and I apologize.
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kuulei88
Akahai
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 06:13:42 AM
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Aunty Wanda--your last line is so eloquent. May I quote you on that?
-- amy k. |
amy k |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 08:28:59 AM
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| Amy, thanks for piping in here. Your line at the Grammys about those who perpetuate Hawaiian culture wherever your journeys take you choked me up. |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 08:31:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Baritone
After SUPA and Momi and Greg and Blue Bridge Bash, I changed my tune.
Don't know why I get mentioned in this context, Braddah Herb - I steh busy learning from YOU! |
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Momi
Lokahi
402 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 10:01:58 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Retro
quote:
Originally posted by Baritone
After SUPA and Momi and Greg and Blue Bridge Bash, I changed my tune.
Don't know why I get mentioned in this context, Braddah Herb - I steh busy learning from YOU!
I will second Retro's bewilderment and sentiment.
Leilehua's comment about her beautiful red-headed daughter reminded me of Kelly-Boy DeLima. He has red hair, is fair skinned (with freckles, if I remember correctly), and if you don't know him and until he opens his mouth, you might think he was a Mainlander (not that that matters, talent-wise, look at Bill Wynne, after all). But he has one of the most beautiful falsettos I've ever heard. And he's a local boy.
(A little bird told me Kelly-Boy's next album will have much more traditional Hawai`i-centric music and is not Jawaiian. I can't wait to hear it.) |
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guitarded
Ha`aha`a
USA
1799 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 10:38:01 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Momi
quote:
Originally posted by Retro
Don't know why I get mentioned in this context, Braddah Herb - I steh busy learning from YOU!
I will second Retro's bewilderment and sentiment.
quote:
Originally posted by Baritone
I was so retarded until Momi wen complement me one time and simultaneous apologize and simulataneously slap my face for not seeing the Aloha Spirit.
Eh Momi and Retro, I going give you folks one clue: "eloquent irony". |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 12:27:05 PM
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Amy - I was only speaking from the heart. Of course you have permission.
I am still in the after glow of such a wonderful weekend. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2169 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2009 : 12:04:54 PM
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So far, I've met only nice people playing and listening to Hawaiian music. Dis square-bolohead wit blue eyes even wen jam wit SirDuke, Braddah Jay, Peter Medeiros (tanks, eh, fo da learning materials), Guitarded, Baritone, Retro an Momi among oddahs. I've taken grief from haole guys because I don't play what they like. Ahem, I'm the one holding the guitar. If you like listen oddah stuffs, chrai learn'em yourself! Respecting and valuing a culture and the friends you make while doing that, words fail me.
We all start our ignorant, a blank slate. Some just maintain their ignorance better than others. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2009 : 12:08:15 PM
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| Kory, Braddah, you need to write a book full of Koryisms. Besides being one beautiful guitar player, you have a beautiful heart and a head full of wisdom from which we can all learn. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2009 : 2:46:45 PM
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| No need for a book of Kory-isms when they take up residence in your soul - you'll remember 'em better that way. |
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