On this long-standing Hawaiian holiday honoring King Kamehameha, we are blessed to feature haumāna (students) from the Kamehameha Schools, an educational institution that was founded through the will of the great-granddaughter of the King, Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Welcome to Papa Oli me Hula o Kamehameha Middle School Kapālama and their Kumu ʻĀina Asing!
Mahalo Kumu ʻĀina, nā haumāna o Kamehameha, and ʻUheʻuhene for representing Hawaiʻi and sharing our cultural heritage at Capitol Modern on Kamehameha Day at 11:00am for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture!
As their Kumu ʻĀina Asing shares, “Papa Oli me Hula o Kamehameha consists of 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus who are either current or alumni of Papa Oli me Hula, the Hawaiian Chant and Dance class of Kamehameha Middle School.
This class focuses on strengthening the students’ identity as Kānaka, through mele, hula, and moʻolelo. Many of these kids begin their hula journey in this class and have grown exponentially due to their hard work and dedication.
We would like to honor Hula Master Nona Beamer today, for without her efforts, we would not be here standing before you all today. Thanks to Tūtū Nona, we have been able to connect to our language and culture because of this class. Mahalo a nui loa!”
Kumu ʻĀina Asing was born into a family of Hawaiian musicians, Hula teachers, and dancers. At the age of 11, ʻĀina began learning how to sing and play Hawaiian music through learning the ʻukulele and the upright bass. His first mentors were his father Kaipo Asing, and brothers Adam and Puka Asing. Through the years, he has played with some of Hawaiʻi’s beloved musicians and learned many things by simply listening and watching them. At the age of 13, he began learning Hula from his brother Kumu Hula Puka Asing and later under Hula Master Kimo Alama Keaulana in 2009. He also completed his ʻūniki training in the hula ʻōlapa and hula pahu in 2012. ʻĀina is a full-time educator and has been teaching Hawaiian language, culture, history, and Hula for 11 years. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian language in 2013 and his Masters in Educational Leadership in 2021. He is a member of traditional Hawaiian music trio, ‘Uhe’uhene along with Lina Robins and Kapua Kalua.
ʻUheʻuhene (translated in English as “tra-la-la”) is a Hawaiian music group from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, consisting of cousins: Heather “Kapua” Kalua from Waimānalo, Jordan “ʻĀina” Asing from Kalāwahine & Papakōlea, and Lina Robins from Waiʻanae. Each member hails from a long lineage of Oli, Mele, and Hula. They are all freelance entertainers and can be found performing throughout the islands with other musical groups, but have created a wonderful chemistry together as ʻUheʻuhene for over 10 years now. Their old school meets new school cha-lang-a-lang style and blend of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian Music, local island reggae, oldies, and contemporary music just to name a few, will have you singing along and dancing in your seats. Their debut album is in the works hopefully to be released in the near future!