Downtown Art Center Hosts “HĀNAU HOU KA HULA KIʻI, REBIRTHING HULA KIʻI IN THE 21ST CENTURY,” AN EXHIBITION OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ART OF HAWAIIAN PUPPETRY, JULY 10

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Downtown Art Center Hosts “HĀNAU HOU KA HULA KIʻI, REBIRTHING HULA KIʻI IN THE 21ST CENTURY,” AN EXHIBITION OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ART OF HAWAIIAN PUPPETRY, JULY 10 – 30, 2022
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DOWNTOWN ART CENTER HOSTS “HĀNAU HOU KA HULA KIʻI, REBIRTHING HULA KIʻI IN THE 21ST CENTURY,” AN EXHIBITION OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ART OF HAWAIIAN PUPPETRY, JULY 10 – 30, 2022 

 Honolulu (June 2022) –Downtown Art Center at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., Second Floor, in Chinatown Gateway Plaza, presents a very special exhibition of the critically endangered Hawaiian hula art of “hula kiʻi,” or Hawaiian puppetry, in HĀNAU HOU KA HULA KIʻI, Rebirthing Hula Kiʻi in the 21st Century,” on view from July 10-30, 2022.

The exhibition will be free and open to the public during regular gallery hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

"The hula ki'i is a critically endangered Hawaiian practice of the ritual of dance of carved images, Hawaiian puppetry,” says curator and kumu hula Aulii Mitchell. “Today, this specialized genre exists only in three hula ki'i schools. It is one of many dance genres of old Hawaiʻi; a traditional folk art form of the indigenous people Na Hawaiʻi. Come and witness the sharing of 26 newly carved hula kiʻi as they perform new songs and dances for this historic event!”

Six hula hālau, or hula schools, will be participating in the exhibit.

Hālau ʻo Kahiwahiwa, under the direction of kumu hula Aulii Mitchell, presents The Dance of the Sacred Image: Hawaiian Puppetry

Featuring: The Hula Kiʻi Collaborative  Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻo Piʻilani, under the direction of kumu hula Kaponoʻai Molitau, Maui Island Ka Pā Nani o Lilinoe, under the direction of kumu hula Lilinoe Lindsey Ka Pā Hula o Kāheakūlani, under the direction of kumu hula Kalani Akana Hula Preservation Society, under the direction of kumu hula kiʻi Maile Loo & kumu hula kiʻi Mauliola Cook.

While the exhibition pieces themselves are cultural artifacts and will not be for sale, these hālau will be selling traditional handmade crafts and other items in the gallery.

Special Gallery Events:

-Friday, July 15 from 5-7 p.m.: Talk story session with a discussion on hula kiʻi as a unique cultural art form, hosted by kumu hula Aulii Mitchell.

-Saturday, July 16 from 1-3 p.m.: Lei-Making Workshop with Gina Ballesteros.

-Saturday July 23 from 1-3 p.m.: Ohe Kapala (bamboo stamping on kapa) Workshop with kumu hula Aulii Mitchell.

-Friday, July 29 from 5-7 p.m.: Exhibition Closing Reception, with hula performances and refreshments.

This unique and culturally important show is made possible through the support of the First Nations Development Institute & Henry Luce Foundation. For more information, visit hluce.org/programs/luce-scholars. For more details about current and upcoming shows, classes and events, visit downtownarthi.org. 
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About the Downtown Art Center (DAC):
Located in the Chinatown Gateway Plaza building at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., Second Floor, the nonprofit Downtown Art Center is an evolving gallery and workshop space for Oʻahu's arts scene. DAC strives to become a thriving center for the arts by providing display space for local artists and art organizations, workshop classrooms, performances, and more. Support DAC and help it grow at donorbox.org/downtownartcenter!

Parking for DAC is located at nearby municipal parking lots (onsite at Chinatown Gateway Plaza, parking entrance off Bethel Street) or at Mark's Garage (entrance at 22 S. Pauahi St.). DAC is easily accessible by public transit as well; get directions, routes and timetables at www.thebus.org.
 

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown Art Center Hosts “HĀNAU HOU KA HULA KIʻI, REBIRTHING HULA KIʻI IN THE 21ST CENTURY,” AN EXHIBITION OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ART OF HAWAIIAN PUPPETRY, JULY 10 – 30, 2022

First Friday Hawaii
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