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 Mai Na Kapuna Mai CD
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 Portrait of Pekelo Day Kumu Hula Pekelo Day announces the opening of Hawaiian Hula Classes for children
“I have been given the opportunity to teach keiki’s the art & share my love of Hula, under the direction of Kumu Pekelo Day. I am very excited & hope to see you soon!” ~ Leilani Classes starting June 2009 Ages: 5 – 12 years Tuition: $35.00/month Place: Currently at my home - 1024 Megan Lane, Phoenix, OR For more information email:pualeilani87@gmail.com or call 541-941-4008 For more information: 541.496.9699
Kumu Pekelo Day has recorded a CD of Traditional Hawaiian Chants available at Ululoa Productions: www.ululoa.com. KUMU HULA PEKELO DAY Biography
Prior to the arrival of the missionaries, the sacred art of the hula was practiced by the Kealohanui ‘ohana. Pekelo’s grandmother, Wilhelmina Kealohanui, foretold his future commitment to this ancestral form: her words to her daughter before she died- ‘take care and guide this grandson of mine well,” in the sacred dance.
Pekelo’s family ties are to the eastern part of Maui, from Keanae to Kaupo. He is the youngest in a family of six brothers and a sister. His mother, Appollonia Kealohanui Day, was of full Hawaiian ancestry and raised her children in the traditional Hawai’ian cultural values. She studied hula with Auntie Emma Farden Sharpe and uniki-ed (graduated) from that halau. While not an actual kumu, she taught hula to her community and family, and was the one who instilled in Pekelo his love for oli (chant) and hula kahiko (ancient).
After attending the fifth grade at Kamehameha School, Pekelo returned to Keanae. He recalls the astonishment of his mother and grandfather as they worked in their taro Lo’i (irrigated terrace) and heard him oli the chants of his ancestors. This was clearly a natural talent, and he began to teach hula and chant to students at Keanae Elementary School for performances at school programs such as Aloha Week, Kamehameha Day and Lei Day.
While his inclination to dance and chant may have been encouraged by his mother, it was his own dedication and hard work that brought him to the highly valued place he now holds in the world of hula. He was fortunate to have had the opportunity to study dance and chant with many a revered kumu hula. Haunani Kauahi Judd and Sam Naeole on O’ahu, Auntie Edith Kanaka’ole and George Naope on Hawaii Island. He also attended many workshops sponsored by the Hawai’i State Foundation of Culture and Art, studying with Kupuna Masters of the Art.
In 1973, at age 13, he won first place in oli at the Kamehameha Day Competition on O’ahu, and was recognized as the youngest instructor in the state. He attended high school at Lahainaluna on Maui, and continued his training with the Kupuna Masters while he was there. In his sophomore year he was recognized as a professional instructor.
During 1975, Kumu Pekelo founded Hula Halau O Ka La. Among its students were now famed recording artist Keali’i Reichel, Uluwehe Guerro and Pauline Brown. In 1979 Pekelo moved from Maui to Hawaii Island and in 1980 established Kuwaila I Ka Lehua in Hilo. In 1981 Kumu Pekelo took his haumana (students) to the Merry Monarch competition. After moving to Kailua-Kona in 1984, he created Hula Halau Piha Hau’oli where he taught until his move to Ka’u in 1991.
The purpose and goals of this school are to perpetuate and preserve the Hawaiian culture through instruction in hula, oli, language, history and traditional crafts. It is of paramount importance to Kumu Pekelo that these almost forgotten “na mea Hawaii” be available and taught to youth. He is especially concerned with “at risk” youth and feels strongly that rediscovering a positive identity through connection with Hawaiian culture can be extremely beneficial.
In addition to Kumu Pekolo’s teaching, he has brought other kumu to share their hula and oli skills. There have also been numerous workshops at the school. Instructors both from the school and community have taught haku lei making, carving and printing with ohe kapala (bamboo stamps), lauhala preparation and weaving, satin lei making and ipu (gourd) preparation to name just a few. Among the many crafts that Kumu Pekelo is skilled in include la’i – skirt, sandal and cape making, lei papa (flat lei), seed leis, Ni’ihau shell leis, and a variety of gourd (ipu) making.
Kumu Pekelo continues to expand cultural awareness and has now begun to cultivate interest for his teaching methods and knowledge in the Northwestern Region of the North American United States. A recent workshop was attended by over fifty eager and interested mainland pacific islanders who either are from Hawaii or have a heart-felt interest in all things Hawaiian.
Pau
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