Documentary explores Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake is so widely respected today for her unique contributions to the preservation and perpetuation of hula that it may come as a surprise to residents under 50 to know that there was a time when her work was considered controversial, a threat to propriety and tradition.
life of an icon
of modern hula
"Biography Hawai'i: Maiki Aiu Lake": Airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday, repeating at 7 p.m. Saturday on KHET/PBSBy John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comDirector Joy Chong-Stannard plumbs the depths of that popularly discredited argument and explores the events that shaped Lake's life -- as a 20th century Hawaiian and as an important figure in modern Hawaiian culture -- in "Biography Hawai'i: Maiki Aiu Lake."
This is the first of six locally produced documentaries that should be seen by everyone who calls Hawaii home, and it is a "must see" for anyone interested in hula and/or modern Hawaiian culture.
Chong-Stannard explores Margaret Souza's life from childhood, to her marriages (Boniface Aiu was her second husband, Kahauanu Lake her third) and children, examines her Catholic faith and her unquenchable drive to learn as much as possible about hula and chant.
Chong-Stannard also explains the significance of Lake's teachers and mentors, and the context of the controversy that erupted when she began to share her knowledge with all who wanted to learn.
Maiki's willingness to share her knowledge with people outside her family circle, her use of western educational techniques, her successful efforts in bringing men back into hula, and her master class training program to produce a new generation of kumu hula, all provoked the wrath of those who believed that knowledge of hula kahiko (ancient hula) should not be shared, and, perhaps, that hula 'auana (modern hula) was something created for haole tourists. History has proven the wisdom of Maiki's cultural generosity.
Maiki's story is illustrated with an expansive assortment of vintage performance clips, photographs, contemporary location shots and a series of insightful interviews.
Boniface Aiu, Robert Cazimero, Milton I, Momi Aarona Kepilino, Kahauanu Lake, Puakea Nogelmeier and Kalena Silva are among those who share their thoughts on the life and enduring legacy of Maiki Aiu Lake.
Why this superb documentary wasn't nominated for a Golden Maile Award in this year's Hawai'i International Film Festival is troubling -- documentaries can hardly be any better than this.
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