Howzit Gang. Sending much aloha to each and every one of you during these interesting political times. No matter what side of the spectrum you sit on, there is definitely a lot to take in and sort through.
One of the things that I like to do is look to others who have overcome chaos and strife seeking solace for their own wellbeing. To me, the symbol of endurance is Queen Lydia Liliʻuokalani who was born on Sept. 2, 1838. While she was imprisoned in ʻIolani Palace, she chose to seek answers within the poetry of kō mākou (our) kūpuna in the Kumulipo.
This cosmological composition sanctifies chiefs and reminds them about the important people, events, and decisions creating Hawaiians. Did you know that there are many versions of the Kumulipo? Yes, many.
Some only focus on the first seven wā (epochs), while others only focus on the later nine wā, and then there are variations that swap positions of family lines to politically assure that one family was the senior line over other families considered a junior line, causing interesting family debates.
If you’re Hawaiian, you can trace yourself to one (or all) of the Kumulipo variations.
But wait! What I really wanted to talk about is an event that is happening on Sept. 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. on the grounds of the ʻIolani Palace.
About 60 chanters, from nearly every island of the main Hawaiian Islands, are getting together to chant the Kalākaua version of the Kumulipo in its entirety to honor Queen Liliʻuokalani’s birthday. Ranging from newbie to seasoned chanters, this project is providing new kincentric experiences through the study of the Kumulipo.
Led by Kumu Hula Kamuela Chun whose original hui chanted the Kumulipo in 1999 at the WIPCE (World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education) in Hilo, and again in 2000 at various venues including the steps of ʻIolani Palce. He wanted to do it again this year as it marks 25 years since the first venture.
When asked why he did it in 1999, he poignantly replied that he wanted the words of the Kumulipo to be chanted and heard at the cusp, exit, and entry of one millennium into the other. Seeking other kumu, Kamuela invited me to participate along with Kumu Hula Kalani Akana, Kumu Hula Kaponoʻai Molitau, and Kumu Hula Mehana Hind. We have been meeting since October 2024.
Kumu and haumāna have been meeting virtually to learn the wā and to participate in workshops led by Kumulipo experts like Kumu Hula Dr. Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele who shared her learnings of the Kumulipo, Dr. Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa who taught about the genealogies of the Kumulipo, Dr. Kiana Frank who taught about the science of the Kumulipo, Kalim Cochran Smith sharing about his wife’s direct lineage to the Kumulipo, James Maioha who talked about Maunaʻala, and Kumulāʻau and Haunani Sing sharing about kiʻi akua uses. Join us!
To learn and chant the last five lines of the Kumulipo with us go to https://youtu.be/aOEAXSTa94I.
