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| Steam from Kilauea Crater in Hawaii |
CDC is on the move once again. On March 20th,
Windward Community College will host CDC in Gallery ‘Iolani, located on Hawaii’s
big island.
Like Alaska, Hawaii is continuously threatened by natural
disasters. Hurricanes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are among the many.
Pele, the ancient goddess of volcanoes, is a common thread woven into the
large blanket of Hawaii’s oral history. Pele is a figure of power, passion and jealousy.
In Hawaiian mythology her home is the summit of Kilauea, one of the most active
volcanoes on earth. How do the people of Hawaii cope with the continuous threat from active volcanoes?
Through the art of Hula dancing, stories are told of eruptions. They preserve history and bind the community together. These eruptions have been a natural part of life from ancient to present times. Hawaii’s big island is constructed of five major volcanoes Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Kohala. Volcanic rock, called basalt, creates the tropical sloping mountains of the islands.
The beauty and power behind these volcanoes can be felt and
seen in the fluidity of Hula dancing. The dance is said to communicate storytelling
through smooth, fluid gestures that represent lava, water, wind and other
natural occurrences.
The art of hula dancing is deeply embedded within the cultural
history that explains, honors and preserves these events.
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