Aloha Thursday: Hawaiian Dance and Culture

September 14, 2023, SOFA Series

Hawaiian Dance and Culture

with artist Kumu Hula Kawika Alfiche, and dancers from the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center, Hälau o Keikali’i dance groups

About the Presentation

Enjoy an evening of ancient and modern hula and Hawaiian music, storytelling, and more. With performances by students from Montreal, Louisville, and San Francisco.

About Kawika

Kumu Hula Kawika Keikiali’ihiwahiwa Alfiche has been teaching hula and Hawaiian cultural arts for almost 30 years. Kawika is the Hula Master (Kumu Hula) for Hālau o Keikiali’i, and is the Director for the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center in South San Francisco. With a mission to preserve and perpetuate all things Hawaiian, Kawika spends his life learning, teaching and sharing his culture through the hula and cultural arts and continues to teach throughout the globe.

Kawika has had impeccable training from his Kumu. His first Kumu Hula was Tiare Maka-Olanolan Clifford of Hanalei, Kaua`i. After her passing in 1992, Kumu Kawika became a student (haumana) of Kumu Hula Harriet Kahalepoli Keahilihau-Spalding of Keaukaha, Hawai`i. It was Aunty Harriet who had Kawika open Hālau in 1994, and in 1996, she had him study with Kumu Hula Rae Kahikilaulani Fonseca of Hilo, Hawai`i who is an `uniki (formal graduate) of Uncle George Lanakilakekiahiali`i Na`ope, hula master and treasure of Hawai’i.

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Nālei

Nālei, Kawika Keikiali’i Alfiche (2006)

A collection of mele and oli that are perfect for both hula and listening enjoyment. Includes Hawaiian songs and covers of three jazz standards: “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Smile,” and “That’s All.”

playlist:

  1. Mele Aloha
  2. Hale Leleo
  3. Nalei
  4. The Way You Look Tonight
  5. Wai’oli
  6. Na Mauna Ho’oheno
  7. Smile
  8. E Ola Hilo – Oli
  9. E Ola Hilo
  10. Kaleili’i
  11. Hokulani
  12. Wind Rise / E Pa Mai
  13. That’s All
  14. Bonus Track – Outtakes

White Ships

13 Songs celebrating the golden age of Matson steamships. (2015)
vocals, Koichitani Ukulele (8 string), Takamine Guyitar (12 string): Kawika Alfiche
upright bass, bass, Tahitian banjo: Kale Ancheta
vocals: Kalei Alonzo, Lehuma Yim, Cristin Kaiwa Fong, Jennie Nahenae Kaneshiro

Playlist:

  1. White Ships
  2. Malolo
  3. Now Is the Hour
  4. I’ll Weave a Lei of Stars for You
  5. Kua Iti Te Marama
  6. Waikiki-Blue Hawai`i
  7. Waikiki Hula
  8. Aloha Ka Manini
  9. Ku`u Hoa
  10. Ei Nei
  11. Ulupalakua
  12. Ka Momi O Ka Pakipika (Hilo My Hometown)
  13. Aloha `oe

Nā Mele Kahiko

Chants and Ancient Songs of Hawai’i (2019)

playlist:

  1. Mele Aloha
  2. Kunihi Ka Mauna
  3. Ke Lei Maila
  4. Ho`opuka E Ka La Ma Kahikina
  5. Ho`opuka E Ka La I Kai O Unulau
  6. Aia Ka La I Ka Hikina I Kumukahi
  7. Aia La O Pele
  8. Kilauea
  9. Pu`uonioni
  10. Kakuhihewa
  11. `O Kamehameha He Inoa
  12. E Ka Pua Hau O Maleka
  13. Ula Noweo
  14. Kawika
  15. E Ho`i Ke Aloha I Ni`ihau
  16. Li`li`u E
  17. Pau`ole Ko`u Aloha
  18. `Ano`ai Ku`u Wehi
  19. Hilo Hanakahi
  20. `O Kalalau Pali `a`ala
  21. Hamakua
  22. Ho`i E Ho`i La

Mohala

Mohala: Evolution: Hālau O Keikiali’i 25th Anniversary Ho’ike
ālau O Keikiali’i/Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center

Recorded August 10, 2019, San Mateo Performing Arts Center