• established 1985 •
Hula ʻOni E Hula Festival
HEAR FROM THE ARTIST
- PELE - Pele Honua Mea
- Alika Naihe - Graphic Designer
This image is a representation of the most prevalent examples of physical manifestations (kinolau) of Pele as described in moʻolelo, both ancient and contemporary.
Located centrally is the kinolau of Pele as a young, beautiful woman wearing an alluring smile paired with a slightly skeptical and mischievous look in her eyes. This kinolau of Pele is seen in many kaʻao, most famously in the epic story of Pele and Hiʻiakaikapoliopele. Pele appears to her lover, Lohiʻau, in her spirit form as a young, beautiful woman in Kauaʻi while her physical body sleeps in Hawaiʻi island.
To the right of Pele’s young kinolau is a representation of her kinolau as kupuna forming in the volcanic clouds emanating from the eruption. This physical manifestation of Pele has been seen in moʻolelo such as the legend of Kahawali, in which Pele appears to an arrogant Kahawali as an old woman to challenge him to a holua (sled) race. He pays for his haughtiness with a harrowing chase and escape from Pele’s fiery pursuit.
To the lower left is the Pele’s white dog, seen up to this day as a harbinger of imminent eruptions and, perhaps, a kinolau of Pele, herself.
Seen throughout the image are kinolau of Pele in volcanic phenomena - eruptions, lava, fire, and fiery volcanic clouds of smoke - of which Pele is provider and controller. The tall fountain of lava in the center of the image has a tall, straight central column representative of Pele’s Oʻo, used in her journey throughout the islands to dig pits into the earth in an effort to create a suitable home for her and her family. From her origin in Polapola, Pele ultimately finds rest in her current home in Halemaʻumaʻu, Hawai’i.
from the desk of Uncle Larry
Aloha and Mahalo for joining us for another promising year at the Hula ‘Oni E Hula Festival. This year, we embrace a new wave of innovation through our vibrant community of Hawaiian Practitioners, Musical Geniuses, and Hawaiian Crafters. Each year, I witness a fresh expansion of creativity and a deeper understanding that I believe stems from the vivid dreams of our Kupuna. These dreams affirm that the path we are on as a community is Pono.
As we continue with our Goddess Series, we honor Pele. The recent activity on Hawaii Island reminds us that we are contributing to tomorrow’s Mo’olelo. We are living today what will be retold tomorrow.
My vision for the future of Hula ‘Oni E is to create a “Coffee Table Book.” This book would feature new Mo’olelo written by past, present, and future Hula ‘Oni E participants. With all the talent in this room, I can already envision the Hula and Mele that will emerge! All I ask is, “Eh, don’t forget me, ah? Pen me in as the handsome uncle!” Together, we can make this a reality and create something tangible for everyone to enjoy for generations to come!
Love you all,
Uncle Larry