06-23-2012, 02:38 PM
I found this article interesting and informative.
On at least one point my experience is different than Mr. Theroux's: he writes about a Kumu Hula's reluctance to share the translation of a chant he heard, reinforcing the point that local Hawaii culture is closed to outsiders (and yes indeed, locals can be quite clannish, a common cultural tendency of small towns and island cultures). And yet, I know two Kumu Hulas who absolutely love to teach and share knowledge about chants, Hawaiian culture, language, etc. Never have I felt any reluctance from them, and I'm about as haole as you're gonna get.
Anyone else agree/disagree with Theroux's perspective?
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Pau...awaii.html
On at least one point my experience is different than Mr. Theroux's: he writes about a Kumu Hula's reluctance to share the translation of a chant he heard, reinforcing the point that local Hawaii culture is closed to outsiders (and yes indeed, locals can be quite clannish, a common cultural tendency of small towns and island cultures). And yet, I know two Kumu Hulas who absolutely love to teach and share knowledge about chants, Hawaiian culture, language, etc. Never have I felt any reluctance from them, and I'm about as haole as you're gonna get.
Anyone else agree/disagree with Theroux's perspective?
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Pau...awaii.html
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius