Aloha pumehana kākou! We warmly welcome you to Digital ʻUmeke by Hula Preservation Society (HPS). These resources have been compiled from the HPS Archive to share the lives, insights, & experiences of beloved elders. The Hawaiian term ʻumeke describes a container crafted from natural gourd or wood that is used to transport and/or store items, goods, or liquids. This site is an an ʻumeke of ʻike (knowledge), created to cultivate a meaningful understanding of Hawaiʻi, as shared through the voices of its native people and their shared love for hula. There is a saying that a well filled ʻumeke, or “ka ʻumeke kāʻeo” represents a well-filled mind. HPS shares these materials with the hope that you may find sustenance through knowledge, insight, understanding, and aloha, as imparted through these remarkable people. Digital 'Umeke is the culmination of HPS’s efforts since the year 2000 to document and share the lives of revered hula elders and community members. Curated materials from the HPS Archive provide a unique and well-rounded view of the lives of these elders and their pivotal roles in the preservation and perpetuation of ʻike Hawaiʻi. Born in the 1910s-1930s, these kūpuna (elders) are connected by their love of Hula (Hawaiian dance), an art form and way of life. They collectively embody and seamlessly interweave cultural traditions, history, poetry, art, literature, philosophy, religion, socio-economic impacts, music, composition, language and more. To learn more about the history of HPS, please visit https://hulapreservation.org/
Funding for the creation of Digital ʻUmeke was provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The site is designed using Mukurtu, a free and open-source platform designed for the unique needs of Indigenous communities, libraries, archives, and museums. We thank the team at the Center for Digital Scholarship & Curation at Washington State University for sharing their knowledge in Mukurtu and for their phenomenal technical support.
HPS acknowledges the remarkable kūpuna who took the time to share their lives with us and who also gifted materials from their personal collections to the Archive. They continue to be the central inspiration in all that we do. As the ʻōlelo noʻeau (wise saying) states: “I ulu no ka lālā i ke kumu” - the branches grow because of the tree. Without those who came before us, we wouldn't be here or be privy to the great knowledge and insight they endeavored to share.
DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that this website contains some discussions and information that are of a mature nature and may not be suitable for youth. Information and knowledge in Hawai'i were historically passed down through oral tradition. These kūpuna share manaʻo and ʻike from their own experiences and teachings in the same manner. In select instances, there may be controversial, culturally sensitive, offensive, or uncomfortable content. Please contact us to discuss further.
COPYRIGHT: This website and its contents were created for educational and research purposes only. HPS works to uphold the rights and privacy of donors, creators, and associates while providing access to materials. Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels are used as a means to safeguard cultural knowledge as well as to convey community or ethical concerns for access and use. For permission to use and/or reproduce any materials, please adhere to the TK labels and contact the HPS Archive at archive@hulapreservation.org.