Search - Kumu Hula: Keepers of a Culture on DVD

A Trip Into Antiquity

Carol Costello | San Francisco | 06/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I thoroughly enjoyed this tape on the old, traditional hulas of Hawaii. You won't find the popular, swaying palm Waikiki-type hulas with grandmas strumming ukes, but the chanting/percussion hulas of antiquity. There are some good interview with kumu hula's, or master teachers of hula, and the only drawback is that they are a bit competitive with one another. Everybody pushes their own hula school. But this is the real deal hula, a dying art, and it's inspiring. About 20% of the tape is narration and kumu hulas being interviewed, and all the rest is the dancing."

A respectful and significant look at a sacred tradition

Carol Costello | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a beautiful film that honors the Kumu Hula, the teachers of the ancient Hawaiian tradition of hula. Not the modern version of swinging hips and flowing hands, but an older ceremonial style that includes drumming and chant. The pace is slow but it helps to bring you into the mood of the work being done by these teachers and their students. As the case says (I own a copy): "This is Hawaiian culture as few outsiders have ever seen it: rich, expressive, colorful and totally unique." Mahalo!"

This film respectfully helps to preserve the culture.

gatto_tristano_cinese | 08/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not only an entertaining film, but this film also respectfully helps to preserve the culture. The kumus are wonderful sources of knowledge, the scenery and dancing are beautiful, and the dancers themselves are really beautiful each in their own way."

Beautiful~!

Kim Lee Pak | 03/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this DVD. This is not a 'learn to hula' DVD. It is a documentary on the beautiful hula. You learn about the history and culture of the hula as well as opinions from Kumu Hulas. I really recommend this DVD~!"