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Congratulations to
Kumu Hula Kawika Keikiali'ihiwahiwa Alfiche
on your `uniki!!!
We are so happy for you & so humbled to have you for our Kumu...
We love you Kumu!!!
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Hawaii Tribune Herald
Halau Hula Kahikilaulani sets first 'uniki
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 9:48 AM HST
Kumu hula Fonseca to formally pass along heritage to six graduates
Kumu hula Rae Kahiki Fonseca and Halau Hula Kahikilaulani will present their first 'uniki, or formal graduation, Saturday, March 24.
Although many hula teachers are referred to as kumu hula, not all go through the rigorous training that culminates in an 'uniki. The graduates include Jonelle Marie Leina'ala Pavao of Kalaheao, Kauai; Kawika Keikiali'ihiwahiwa Alfiche of San Francisco, Calif., Sammye-Ann Kuualoha Young and Emery "Li'i" Garcia Aceret, both of Hilo; Nahokuokalani Gaspang of Kaneohe, Oahu, and Lori Lei Shirakawa of Ka'u.
Fonseca will present six graduates with kumu hula Na Kumu Palapala and a kihe pa'a of white kapa to symbolize the purity of their achievements.
In addition, Yajima Mitsue from Japan and Rosa Elena Lopez Arriaga from Mexico will be recognized as hula instructors under Fonseca's guidance. "I want to recognize them for helping to perpetuate Hawaiian culture in their countries," said Fonseca.
Although different schools have different requirements for graduation, the ceremony represents the formal passing of knowledge from the master teacher, handed down within his or her hula lineage.
The 'uniki ceremony is carried out only when the master feels the knowledge has been sufficiently learned. For most who perform this ceremony, the strict tenets come from a traditional source dating back to recognized masters throughout Hawaii.
"Each of these students know of the traditions and have been taught the ritualistic aspects of the ceremony," said Fonseca. "However, we are doing things more on a contemporary basis. Many of the students in my halau are practicing Christians and it doesn't disqualify them as competent teachers. I want to recognize these students because of what they have accomplished.
Meeting the qualifications "is not a six-month thing" in Halau Hula Kahikilaulani, said Fonseca. "The current graduates were with me for 15 to 20 years. Then they asked to teach hula and had their halau for 10 years. They are offshoots of my halau. This official recognition will confirm that they are kumu hula to my standards."
Fonseca's halau will do a very traditional luau. "Not the 'ailolo kind of things but traditional foods," he said. "I am instructing the cooks on what to do and how to do it. The graduates will be seated together on the floor on lauhala mats like old times."
The luau will be a tribute to Fonseca's kumu. "It is also a way to say thank you to him for his teaching and life's work," said Fonseca. "When I did my 'uniki, Uncle George gave me the name Kahikilaulani."
A highlight of the evening is the halau presenting Kahikilaulani as a ho'okupu, Fonseca explained, "Every member of the halau had to make a hau skirt, lei po'o and kupe'e made for the presentation of Kahikilaulani at the 'uniki. That took almost five months to complete. That will be my gift to them. To say that Kahikilaulani is proud that they stem from this halau."
The Kahikilaulani legend began with the maiden preparing her to come to Hawaii from Tahiti to accept Kamawaelualani's hand in marriage.
She comes in a white canoe and brings a gift bundled up in ti leaves. The ohia tree and on the branch the o'o bird, the feathers used by the alii. Perhaps this was the way that the o'o and ohia came to Hawaii.
"We are looking at very ancient times in this legend," said Fonseca. "There will be excitement with the drums moving about while Kahikilaulani is lifted up on a malele to symbolize the canoe.
"Kamawaelualani with his court await her arrival. The pahu will bring the dancers in from different angles presenting the dance for Kahikilaulani and Kamawaelualani, who marry and live happily ever after. And that is how I say to the graduates, 'off you go, on your own, and live happily ever after'."
Of course, Fonseca notes, he will be there if the graduates need him.
"Like I go to Uncle George as my mentor and inspiration. Having him there as kumu pa'a is significant to him, to me and to the graduates. He is my kumu. This links them -- from him through me. We are a family, as far as the hula genealogy goes."
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