This is Love Hula with Teeth
Aug 21, 2024
Patrick Makuakāne, an influential hula dancer and choreographer, shares his vibrant journey from traditional hula in Hawaii to establishing a school in San Francisco. He discusses the cultural significance of hula as a form of expression and identity, touching on its historical evolution and modern adaptations. Makuakāne highlights the balance between tradition and innovation, and reflects on the political themes woven into hula performance, particularly during the AIDS crisis. His passion for storytelling and community shines throughout this engaging conversation.
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Hula Meets Nightlife
- Patrick and his hula troupe performed at a San Francisco nightclub mixing traditional hula with the club's music scene.
- Their unexpected performance caught the nightlife crowd's attention, blending hula with the club atmosphere.
Language Powers Hula's Meaning
- Hula is inseparable from its accompanying chants which tell stories; without language, meaning is lost.
- Understanding the Hawaiian language reveals the true depth of the dance's narrative power.
Overcoming Stigma Through Dance
- As a youth, Patrick feared men's hula because it was associated with effeminacy and gay stigma.
- Seeing athletic male hula dancers changed his perspective and inspired him to join an all-male company.