23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME HAWAIIAN GODDESS EPIC!, October 18, 2004
This review is from: Holo Mai Pele (DVD)
Holo Mai Pele is a Goddess Epic of the Hawaiian people. The production of this epic is the work of two Hawaiian matriarch elders who are also sisters. The epic is done in Hula and the elders explain that Hula is a "reflection of life, a way of retelling history". This production of Holo Mai Pele is done in dance, song, chant, and dramatization using a large cast. The performance is done on stage with the dancers in the foreground and a projection of Hawaiian landscapes in the background. The production moves back and forth between the performers; includes scenes from the beautiful Hawaiian landscape; and interviews with one of the Hawaiian elders in her dance studio, describing the historical and religious importance of the epic. The performance is sung/spoken in Hawaiian, so there are some English subtitles and an off-stage narrator to explain the plot.
The main characters are Pele, the Goddess; She-Who-Makes-Land and Hi'iaka, Pele's younger sister, who is The-Green-Woman; she who creates green vegetation and medicinal plants.
The plot goes like this; Pele asks her younger sister to go on a journey to another island to retrieve Pele's mortal human lover, Lo-hee-el, and bring the man back. Hi'iaka agrees, but only if Pele promises to protect Hi'iaka's forest of flowering trees. Pele promises.
Hi'iaka then goes on a simple journey that becomes an awesome heroic quest of discovery, growth and empowerment. During this journey, Hi'iaka learns how to pray, how to fight monsters, how to find beauty even in misfortune, and the importance of hospitality. She has many teachers and companions along the way.
Hi'iaka participates in an Awa drinking ceremony to honor the Goddesses of creation and procreation. This is beautifully done.
Hi'iaka finds a crippled shaman. She heals him and he dances and chants what he knows about the history of Pele.
Hi'aka locates Pele's lover, Lo-hee-el, but he has died from longing for Pele. Here, in one of the most dramatic scenes, Hi'iaka appears as her three aspects and raises Lo-hee-el from the dead.
But, Hi'iaka and Lo-hee-el have fallen in love with each other, and so Hi'iaka's loyalty to her sister is tested as Hi'iaka overcomes her desire for this man.
However, Pele wrongly imagines that Hi'iaka has been disloyal and with hot lava destroys Hi'iaka's beautiful forest. Hi'iaka returns and she is furious to see the destruction. No longer loyal, Hi'iaka claims Lo-hee-el as her lover. Her heroic journey has now made her equal in power to her sister Pele and the sisters challenge each other to all out cosmic war.
But, as the sisters square off for battle, the Elder Gods intervene. They demand that the sisters live in peace. And so, Pele; She-Who-Makes-Land and Hi'iake; The-Green-Woman, live eternally in balance with each other, as equals.
The performance is intense, rich in vibrant energy. The music is fantastic. The original dance performance in Hawaii is three hours long and is huge success. This DVD version is cut back to 57 minutes, but such a precious and uplifting 57 minutes!
This is an incredible performance and an awesome Hawaiian epic.
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honoring The Powers Of Pele ~ Hula As A Reflection of Life, November 11, 2005
This review is from: Holo Mai Pele (DVD)
Long before the advent of the written word sacred knowledge was handed down through the generations via the vehicles of ritual, song and dance. I have come to believe that the 'old ways' were in many cases the superior mode of transmission. Mere words could never convey the multi-faceted beauty, wonder and awe that can be expressed in sacred song and dance. This point is made crystal clear in this exquisite production of 'Holo Mai Pele.'
'Holo Mai Pele' is an exciting and exotic multi-media production that I found absoultely engrossing. The director seamlessly moves the viewer back and forth between the preparation of the event in the dance studio, the on-stage performance and beautiful film footage of the enchanting Hawaiian landscape. The on-stage performance is also greatly enhanced by a large screen behind the dancers showing footage of volcanic eruptions, lava flows and lush tropical rainforests. All of this is underscored by an intermitent narrative explaining the history of the hula and the mythological tale of the volcano Goddess Pele and her battle with her youngest sister Hi'iaka. The narrative is the perfect compliment to the production and in no way detracts the viewer from the performance.
This DVD serves as both a wonderful introduction to the novice in Hawaiiana and a much needed and revered document to the initiated providing a performance that attests to the power and immense beauty of the hula and its embodiment of the Hawaiian 'Spirit of Aloha.' Truly a sacred visual document to be treasured.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holo Mai Pele, November 3, 2006
This review is from: Holo Mai Pele (DVD)
This spectacular and powerful singing and dance performance (and the excellent commentaries)telling the story of the Fire Goddess, Pele, and her sister Hiiaka, gives deep insights into Hawaiian culture and religious belief and is wonderful to watch. For me it helps keep alive memories of my own visit to Hawaii and the Volcanoes National Park. Should be of interest to anyone who loves traditional dance and/or mythology.
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