• Hula is All About Relationships - Talk Story

    August 08, 2022
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Hula is All About Relationships
    Talk Story with Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and Haumana Lacey Deniz

    KONA, HAWAI`I (August 3, 2022) - La`i`ōpua 2020 brings together Kona’s celebrated kumu hula, Etua Lopes, and one of his beloved haumana, former Miss Kona Coffee and television personality Lacy Deniz, for a talk story about hula and the special bond between a kumu and his haumana. Join us at La`i`ōpua 2020 on Saturday, August 27, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., 74-5210 Keanalehu Drive, Kealakehe, Kona.

    The event is free and open to the public; beach chairs and coolers are welcome. Cultural crafts will be demonstrated and shared with participants from 1:30 to 3 p.m., followed by a talk story focused on hula with Etua Lopes and Lacy Deniz, hosted by Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

    Kumu Hula Etua Lopes, was a student of the renowned kumu hula George Naope for more than 25 years, starting as a drummer in Uncle George’s halau. After his `uniki in 1978 he started his own halau - Halau Hula Na Pua U'i O Hawai'i  - and was invited by Aunty Lei Collins to hold his hula classes at Hulihe`e Palace in Kailua-Kona. He and his dancers are deemed Hulihe`e’s Palace Dancers. Lopes has dedicated himself to the tradition of hula and the keiki he teaches, still on the grounds of the Palace.

    One of Lopes’ haumana is Hawaii News Now television personality Lacy Deniz. Deniz, who was born and raised in Hōnaunau, A former Miss Kona Coffee, Deniz credits Lopes with teaching her all she knows about hula “from my very first kaholo step to my first Merrie Monarch hula competition…I am honored to be a haumana of such an incredible, wise, and dedicated kumu like you.”

    Their conversation will showcase this special relationship between teacher and student.

    This is the third of four “Ola ka Lāhui” events, where island historians, kūpuna, storytellers and artisans are sharing their mana`o with residents and visitors interested in a deeper connection to Hawai`i’s history, arts, and traditions.  The program’s name, “Ola ka Lāhui,” translates to “The Nation Lives On,” reflecting an intent to share the `ike (knowledge) and mo`olelo of Hawai`i for generations to come. Funding for these events is provided by Hawai`i Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program, administered by Hawai`i Community Foundation.

    Each session will be filmed and aired on Nā Leo public television; the events will also be available for viewing on YouTube and through La`i`ōpua 2020’s website, La`i`ōpua.org.

    ABOUT LA`I`ŌPUA 2020

    La`i`ōpua 2020 is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide social, recreational, vocational, economic, educational, and cultural opportunities and infrastructure to Native Hawaiians to include the communities of the Kealakehe ahupua`a. It is a place for pilina (building and supporting one another through relationships) and pu`uhonua (a place of comfort, peace, and safety). For more information about La`i`ōpua 2020, visit its website, Laiopua.org, or call 808.327.1221.
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