Iolani Luahine - A True Daughter of Pele

[opihikao]

As we share life experiences, beliefs, cultures, and opinions, there is a common bond which may be called "respect". Of those in life that we (our ohana) show the utmost respect is our Aunty 'Iolani. The mana this woman possessed is like no other.

May I please share with you the way we remember her, at Halemaumau (this footage filmed in 1961 on Kaua'i).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsNB3dY1CL0

Her life story is amazing should you chose to envelop the true spirit of Tutu Pele, and Aunty 'Iolani exuding her form. A daughter of Pele, her residence in Napo'opo'o was her home, her solitude.

While she was the curator of the Hulihe'e Palace, one of my fondest memories is of her sitting in front of the Palace, waiting patiently for pau hana time, which meant ohana time. Napo'opo'o to Opihikao was a long drive, but we had "cocoa and craka (Saloon Pilot)". I was like a sponge listening to Papa, Tutu and Aunty 'Iolani chat...in Hawaiian when they didn't want us to know what was going on!

The stories this woman told were of the ancient days...the way it was, and should be. The twinkle in her eye was indescribable...Kolohe at times, however, could move the elements at will.

Precious people of our land. This is one, very special, precious kupuna. Her picture that hangs in the Volcano House is her favorite, taken by Boone Morrison. Look at her eyes...they tell all.

E mau loa aku e ‘Iolani

http://www.iolaniluahinefestival.org/Mor...olani.html

She was enrolled in the Kamehameha Schools, but once her aunt found out that dancing hula was forbidden by the missionary institution, ‘Iolani was sent to the Priory, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, where hula dancing was permitted. ‘Iolani was an undergraduate at the University of Hawaii when she began hula classes with Mary Kawena Puku’i. After the death of her aunty, ‘Iolani knew that her mission in life was to carry on the traditions for the ones to come.

http://apps.ksbe.edu/kaiwakiloumoku/kale...ahaoiolani

Enjoy! JMO.

[TomK]

Thank you!

[msrocket]

Lovely! Thank you.

[opihikao]

Mahalo for the interest! She was a treasure and a master indeed. Aunty Dottie Thompson recalls Aunty 'Iolani: (*Snipped)


People who knew Iolani Luahine tell stories about her mystic abilities. Some say the dancer,chanter and teacher of Hawaiian culture--known as the high priestess of hula--had powers that defy explanation.

Dorothy Thompson, who annually shepards the Merrie Monarch hula festival, was a close friend of Luahine's. Auntie Io could call up the wind and the rain and could make the animals do her bidding.

Thompson said, that Luahine's greatest gift was dance. "Her dance was her life and her story itself", she said. "Io was such a beautiful person, an extraordinary dancer. She seemed like she would go into a trance. and her movements were like nobody else's."

Luahine, who died in 1978, gained renown worldwide. She was invited three times to perform at the National folk Festival in Washington,D.C.,and was named a "Living treasure" in 1972. She was a free spirit "a person who absolutely knew who she was," said Maggi Parker of the Kawananakoa Foundation.

Thompson recalled a rainy day in Hilo in 1969 when Luahine was to march in a parade. "she told me the parade had to start on time,at 1 o'clock, because the rain would stop for only two hours." "It poured cats and dogs, at 1 o'clock on the nose the rain stopped, and at 3 o'clock the rain came down.

ETA: (E kala mai. Same info on this link; also a great picture)


http://archives.starbulletin.com/1999/10...tory7.html

[David Shaw]

Aloha: Mahalo nui loa for the wonderful Aunty Io information and performance film. Just wanted to let you know that clicking on the highlighted link doesn't work, one must use the whole thing ending in .htm in order to get a return.
I too am a part of the (albeit Ha'ole)past, came here in 1959 when it was quite different and finally returned to stay 7 years ago.

-dwajs