KUPUKUPU

A musical hula adventure with Nā Lei Hulu i ka Wēkiu

Nā Lei Hulu i ka Wēkiu and Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakāne continue to break ground with KUPUKUPU, a stunning new hula production featuring Kumu Patrick’s ten-piece musical ensemble. KUPUKUPU weaves together Hawaiian storytelling with unexpected musical twists.

Kumu Patrick says, “Hula has always been at the forefront of our shows; the main storyteller, the protagonist and the hero. Kupukupu is hula’s musical sidekick! It was created to deliver the vibe and impulse I look for in music to accompany our kind of hula. Rather than searching around for music I like, why not just create it? Hānau ʻo Kupukupu, ka hui puhi ʻohe. Born is Kupukupu, the band.

KUPUKUPU at its core is about discovery, collaboration and taking risks. It’s how we take the ancient story of Princess Lāʻieikawai and seduce her with a vibrant horn section and a groovy beat. It seems only fitting that Hawaiʻi’s renowned renaissance king, David Kalākaua is honored by turning one of his 50th birthday jubilee chants into a jazzy New Orleans street band melody ending with a drumline tribute. KUPUKUPU is a menagerie of love songs, esteemed chants and colorful characters rendered with a sense of irony and rule-breaking, yet harmoniously balanced. Ready to get rowdy with its pal, hula.”

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