Naleialoha Napaepae-Kunewa

Nā Kumu Hula Naleialoha Napaepae-Kunewa - Nānā I Nā Loea Hula Volume 2 Page 84

Naleialoha Napaepae-Kunewa is the executive director of Kahua Na‘au A‘o Ma Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP. Inc. and is the kumu hula of Hālau o Kaleiho'ohie o Kona.


Mrs. Lokalia Montgomery was my only hula teacher. She was the curator of the Hulihe‘e Palace in Kona from 1951 to 1971 and my mom worked there. She would take me to Mrs. Montgomery’s house located next to the Palace on Saturdays for hula class. In keeping with tradition the teacher selected the student and Mrs. Montgomery chose me. I started when I was seven and stayed with her until she retired in 1971.

I was very fortunate. Mrs. Montgomery would sit with me at her dining room table. She would sit at one end and I would be on the other. The only instruments I was allowed to use were the ka lā‘au and ʻiliʻili. “Kū Ka Punohu,” “Kona Kai ‘Opua,” and “‘Aihea ‘O Kalani” were my first dances. All the rhythms were done on the dining room table without ipu or pahu. She never danced. I followed her directions and performed accordingly. Mrs. Montgomery was very knowledgeable in knowing what best suited each person. She didn’t have set standards that you had to learn this and that by the first year. She believed whatever a student was able to comprehend, that’s what she would teach. She really enjoyed working on a one-to-one basis. It was a relaxed but serious situation and it was easy for me to sit with her for long periods at a time. I felt very comfortable with her. Although stern she was a kind and gentle-hearted person. Sometimes we would just sit and talk story.

I remember l had my ‘ūniki at twelve years of age. It was held on the Palace grounds. The preparation included red fish and sweet potatoes. She told me not to eat the night before. I arrived before sunrise at her house and stayed with her all day. I napped on her lanai and after I awoke, we reviewed the ceremony. I ate everything she served me and I performed for her and her kumu Mary Kawena Pukui. There was an evening celebration, and I participated in a week long performance at the Palace.

In my hālau I teach using Mrs. Montgomery’s method of teaching the steps, hand gestures, and voice. I've kept traditional hula such as “Hole Waimea,” “Kaulīlua I Ke Aim O Wai‘ale‘ale,” “‘Au‘a Ia,” “A Ko‘olau Au” exactly as I learned them. I have incorporated her teaching with original compositions and traditional mele learned later on. I remain true to Mrs. Montgomery’s style. I am a firm believer that I am a carrier of the exclusive style of Mrs. Montgomery and her teachers. Whatever she taught me I keep the same.

Hula is a part of me. Hula is Kanaka Maoli. I am Kanaka Maoli therefore I am hula.


84 Naleialoha Napaepae-Kunewa