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| Keikilani Curnan |
Keikilani Curnan was at Halau Hula Ka No'eau when I started dancing there 25 years ago in beautiful Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. I remember that Keikilani was only interested in learning auana (modern hula) at the time. Then something changed and soon she was dancing kahiko (classical ancient) with the rest of us.
I remember my father saying how much he enjoyed watching Keikilani dance. A good dancer always dances from her heart and that is Keikilani. We both graduated as kumu hula in June 2000 along with six other hula sisters. She's been in Australia this past week working and was able to answer my interview questions by email.
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Hula Noho (sitting hula)
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June Tanoue: Tell me about yourself and your 'ohana (family).
Keikilani Curnan: I'm an Irish Hawaiian born to a first generation Irishman from Connecticut. My Mom is a Kauai girl. Since I was the first girl after four boys, I was blessed with the name Keikilani (heavenly child)!
JT: What was it about hula that drew you to it?
KC: I can't really say that I was drawn to hula because we were raised with hula music and true 'ohana. It was just part of our lifestyle. Mom won the 1939 Miss Aloha Hula, which evolved later after Statehood to the Miss Hawaii pageant.
JT: What is the most important thing you learned in your training with Kumu Michael?
KC: I think the most important thing I learned from MP is be humble. Remember at 'uniki (graduation ceremony)? Consuming the varIous parts of the pua'a (pig) and why.
JT: As a kumu, what are the important things you teach your students?
KC: As Kumu, i like to stress tradition. We have been given plenty from our genealogy. Keep that the same.....there's soooooo much more out there to be able to create.
JT: Hula is a part of who you are. Tell me in what way?
KC: Hula is part of who I am because it is a lifestyle, not just a dance. It becomes a part of everyday, work , leisure, 'ohana, Halau(hula school). Eating, playing, driving, traveling - EVERYTHING I do has Hula tied to it!
