Kumu has Changed Address

[cindy paulos]

Kumu Hula Charles Ka‘upu passed away this week..   He has spent the better part of his life teaching, be it History, Culture, Religion, lecturing not only at Maui Community College, Maui Campus, but on the islands of Lana‘i and Moloka‘i as well. He has also traveled to Washington D.C. to lecture at the National Geographic Headquarters, performing there as well at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian's ground-breaking ceremony. Charles' expertise in ‘oli, the ancient art of Polynesian chant handed down through the ages, comes from formal schooling as well as from family practice, kupuna (teachers), and personal mentors.He has earned the rite of passage in the traditional sense of graduation called an ‘uniki through a process called 'ai-lolo,which literally means to ”eat the brain,“ a symbolic eating ritual of a consecrated food source, after which the graduation performance is showcased. Charles became Kumu Hula (instructor) in 1979 and has been teaching chant and dance these many years. He first became a part of the musical troupe HAPA in 1993 . I wrote this for him today   ------- I wrote this for him today. KUMU has Changed Address   Kumu has changed address He’s on a distant shore You hear his great heart call to us As he Chants at a new door.   His assignment here is done Now, Yet it seemed he passed too young. Kumu’s Spirit Called him And he had to move along.   Kumu has changed Address His spirit now is free, He’s chanting on a new And Higher Frequency.   The earthly body’s left us His visit here is pau. Let’s celebrate his life here. And the way he taught us how.   To cherish every Moment And live each Breath of Life, With Gratitude we thank Him For the gifts he gave to make thing right.   Kumu has Changed Address And thank him for his Love we give him our Aloha He’s Chanting from Above   So Let us all be thankful And bless him on his Journey, Amama Amama Ua Noa The Prayer is now set free. Amama Amama Ua Noa The Prayer Is now set free.                     -