The cultural dances of Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian 'Ori are a vital part of life and are present in religious ceremonies, social gatherings, celebrations, and everyday life. They contain the knowledge and collected memory of its peoples- cultivated over generations- from philosophy, science, art and craft, relationship to Earth, and the human condition. Presented through story, prayer, and entertainment, Hula and ‘Ori use specific movement language to represent given ideas, and maintain a sacred connection to Earth and the Cosmos. The dance forms act as a conduit between humanity and the divine, helping the participants to recognize that they are part of something bigger and that we are all connected.

Inspired by these concepts, the London School of Hula and 'Ori (LSHO) created choreography for the Ma uka to Ma kai exhibition that focuses on the source of life– Water. The choreography explores the water cycle, from four perspectives: Ocean, Sky, Earth, and Humanity, attempting to embody the essence of and give form to these elements. Water is central to the functioning of the ahupua’a and to life itself. Without water, there is no fauna in the forests, no crops, no streams to nourish us; simply, there is no life. Using movement from Hula, ‘Ori Tahiti, and contemporary motion, and combining the mediums of cinema, sound, music, and dance, the film aims to represent the intertwined and dynamic relationship between humanity and our environment. It encourages the viewer to acknowledge that we are a part of this cycle, that we are beholden to nature.

Since I can remember, I have been learning the stories of our ancestors– a rich world of myths and tales that contain the knowledge of the universe. I utilise these myths in my storytelling in order to provide crucial information about the world around us through the lens of womxn from the global majority – past, present, and future. These women – my mother, my grandmothers, my ancestors – who are able to call upon themselves, each other, and the sacred lands to which we are intrinsically bound, are central to the health of people and Earth, and thus the continuation of all life. I believe that ancestral knowledge is not a thing of the past, but holds the key to a healthy future.

(Krysten)

Everything in the universe is connected, whether it be the sky to the earth through the falling of the rain, or person to person through the infectious ease at which emotions can spread. This project showcased how important and moving it is to give in to that oneness with ourselves, nature, the world around us, and each other, and how none of us are isolated from that connection.

(Danielle)

Our existence as humans is so tiny but so profound, we sometimes forget how fragile and interdependent we are. Across cultures, we see stories that connect us to the elements and to something bigger, and it is our responsibility to be part of the lineage of these stories, to deliver them to future generations.

(Akino)

The Long Gallery exhibition displays quilts from the Honolulu-based Poakalani Quilters that depict Hula through appliqued designs alongside a photographic series, Ola i ka wai, by Krysten Resnick and film depicting the London School of Hula and 'Ori. A selection of photographs from the series are shown on this webpage, along with the quilts on display.