The Volcano Art Center’s 2019 Hula Voices series continues Wednesday (Feb. 6) with a program featuring kumu hula Keala Ching and moderator Desiree Moana Cruz.
Ching is a Hawaiian cultural educator, composer, songwriter and spiritual adviser to many Hawaiian organizations. He lives and breathes aloha into his Hawaiian heritage with his strong presence and great heart. Under the tutelage of Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Ching has spent many years learning and building his knowledge.
He received the ‘uniki rites of kumu hula. He is fluent in the Hawaiian language, which he uses as the foundation for teaching all of his students. Ching currently lives in Kailua-Kona, where he is kumu hula for Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola. As a composer of chants and mele, he travels the world to share hula.
Hula Voices is an oral history project, presenting an engaging, intimate “talk story” session with Hawaii Island’s hula practitioners as they share their hula genealogy, traditions, protocols and experiences.
These free, educational offerings occur regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.