I've been looking at your video page and have hit "save for later" quite a few times. Just wondering if you aware of Uncle Johnny's beliefs? He was a devout Christian. I've heard members of his halau interviewed who were very clear about this (in coverage immediately after he passed). At any rate, he was able to live in harmony with representations of Hawaiian deities and his own beliefs. They didn't cancel each other out. I know there are clips on YT where he speaks about this briefly, but i don't have the URLs handy. However, I'm sure you can find at least one or two of them. The thing is that people often see *many* issues as having only 2 sides, when in fact there are many different and nuanced POVs. It is a failing of our time that so much of both print and broadcast media reduces things to diametrically opposed views. I think the Kanaka'ole 'ohana's kupunu do an excellent job addressing some of these issues. You might really enjoy hearing both Kekuhi and Pua speak on these topics. There are many videos of them here on YT where they present their views. And since they claim descent from Pele, i think they are legit, especially when discussing things relating to their island and their hula.
BTW, I love Uncle Johnny's work. Have watched Natasha Oda's hula kahiko and hula 'auana so many times that I've lost count. She deserved to win MAH in 1991, although I'm really not sure how I feel about competitions now... I think the MM should be a festival rather than what it's become. But that's just me.
Rest in love Uncle Johnny
Mahalo!!
I've been looking at your video page and have hit "save for later" quite a few times.
Just wondering if you aware of Uncle Johnny's beliefs? He was a devout Christian. I've heard members of his halau interviewed who were very clear about this (in coverage immediately after he passed).
At any rate, he was able to live in harmony with representations of Hawaiian deities and his own beliefs. They didn't cancel each other out. I know there are clips on YT where he speaks about this briefly, but i don't have the URLs handy. However, I'm sure you can find at least one or two of them.
The thing is that people often see *many* issues as having only 2 sides, when in fact there are many different and nuanced POVs. It is a failing of our time that so much of both print and broadcast media reduces things to diametrically opposed views.
I think the Kanaka'ole 'ohana's kupunu do an excellent job addressing some of these issues. You might really enjoy hearing both Kekuhi and Pua speak on these topics. There are many videos of them here on YT where they present their views. And since they claim descent from Pele, i think they are legit, especially when discussing things relating to their island and their hula.
BTW, I love Uncle Johnny's work. Have watched Natasha Oda's hula kahiko and hula 'auana so many times that I've lost count. She deserved to win MAH in 1991, although I'm really not sure how I feel about competitions now... I think the MM should be a festival rather than what it's become. But that's just me.