What started out as an exhibit of photographs of one kumu hula has evolved into a well-rounded artistic display of hula itself, in “;Ho'oulu: The Inspiration of Hula,”; the Hawaii State Art Museum's new exhibit that opens today.

The show features Frances Haar's photography of legendary kumu 'Iolani Luahine, hula-inspired and related works from the state's Art in Public Places collection, and portraits of various hula masters collected in the first volume of “;Nana i na Loea Hula: Look to the Hula Resources,”; published in 1984 by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society.

In addition are portraits of kumu hula honored with the Governor's Award, costumes from kapa makers Moana Eisele and Ka'iulani de Silva, and a video from the Hula Preservation Society.

Local artist Solomon Enos' illustrations from the book “;The Epic of Hi'iakaikapoliopele,”; an origin story of hula, also are exhibited, as well as hula implements on loan from the hula society and Bishop Museum.

At tonight's First Friday celebration, Live from the Lawn, there will be hula performances by Halau Mohala 'Ilima with kumu hula Mapuana de Silva, Halau Hula ka No'eau with kumu Michael Pili Pang, and Halau Pua Ali'i 'Ilima with kumu Vicky Holt Takamine.

Le Crepe Cafe, Hank's Haute Dogs, Land of Organica and Soul de Cuba Cafe join Downtown @ the HiSAM to provide a variety of food and drink.

“;Last year it all started coming together,”; says Wanda Anae-Onishi, “;Ho'oulu”; curator and collections manager for the Art in Public Places program. “;We began planning in 2003 with Frances Haar's works, and it evolved into something bigger. We wanted to recognize people for their contributions to hula.”;

The expansion of the show's theme led to the inclusion of portraits from the hula book and those of the kumu awarded the Governor's Award.

“;These folks were cited by people in the book as their own teachers,”; says Anae-Onishi. “;So there's a lot of portraiture.”;

But the show's scope kept growing.

“;We thought maybe we could devote an entire section to telling one origin story of hula,”; she says.

As such, Enos' illustrations were a natural fit.

The video, kapa and hula implements round out the exhibit.

“;Ho'oulu”; has turned out to be a timely show in the context of current proposed budgetary cuts by Gov. Linda Lingle, which would include layoffs to most of the staff at the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the department that oversees the Art in Public Places program.

The show illustrates the far-reaching impact State Foundation programs have on Hawaii's cultural life: The Art in Public Places collection provides a framework for the show, and staffer Anae-Onishi curated. The Kalihi-Palama organization, Hula Preservation Society and Bishop Museum have all been recipients of the foundation's biennium grants. The Governor's Awards are organized courtesy of the foundation's Individual Artists coordinator, while the kapa makers were participants in the Folk Arts program.

“;There is relevance now,”; Anae-Onishi admits. “;The State Foundation helps individuals and organizations practice their culture and arts.”;