Bridging Oceans Through Hula and Ori: A Cultural Exchange with O Tahiti E
Hālau I Ka Leo Ola O Nā Mamo a me O Tahiti ē ma Haleʻōlelo
“ʻO kekahi mea i leʻaleʻa ai kēia hoʻokipa ʻana i ka poʻe O Tahiti Ē, ʻo ia ka hiki ke kāʻana i nā hula a me nā mele a laila ka hiki ke mālama iā lākou a hoʻomākaukau i ka ʻai na lākou. ”
On June 1st, Hālau I Ka Leo Ola O Nā Mamo had the honor of welcoming the renowned Tahitian dance troupe O Tahiti E to Hilo with a traditional hoʻokipa ceremony at the airport. Surrounded by lei, oli (chants), and warm embraces, the moment set the tone for a powerful cultural exchange rooted in respect, shared ancestry, and the living traditions of the Pacific.
The following day, on June 2nd, dancers from both groups gathered at Haleʻōlelo at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo for a collaborative hula and Tahitian dance workshop. This special space—dedicated to the study and celebration of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi—was the perfect setting for this exchange. Dancers shared techniques, stories, and cultural practices, deepening mutual understanding and highlighting the beauty and discipline of each tradition.
A highlight of the exchange was the communal meal, where we served our guests a spread of traditional Hawaiian and local food. Sitting together to “tāmaʻa” we deepened bonds in the most Hawaiian way—through hospitality, generosity, and aloha.
A hui hou e ka ʻohana Tahiti. Eriki, Tutana a me Hiʻiaka ma UH Hilo.
Central to this exchange was the importance of language and mele. Whether through ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi or Reo Tahiti, our songs and chants provided the deeper meanings behind the movements. Mele served as vessels for genealogy, place, and moʻolelo—reminding us that our dances are not just performances, but living expressions of who we are and where we come from.
This exchange was more than an event—it was a reaffirmation of our shared Polynesian roots and our kuleana (responsibility) to uphold and perpetuate our traditional dance forms, languages, and stories.
“ʻO kekahi haliʻa aloha aʻu ʻo ia ke aʻo ʻana i ke mele ʻo Matani Rangi. He haliʻa aloha kēia naʻu ma muli o ka nui hoʻomanawanui a lākou iā mākou ma ke aʻo ʻana mai i kēia mele.”
