Ipo Kaʻupu
PROJECT DETAILS
CLIENT: Kāhuli Leo Leʻa
FUNDED BY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services
ROLE: Videography + Editing
FEATURING: Cody “Pueo” Pata
ALBUM: Ka Haku Mele
ALBUM DETAILS: kahulileolea.org/kahakumele
This project explores the profound impact of mele (Hawaiian songs and chants) as a form of oral tradition used by Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiians) to preserve and transmit knowledge, culture, and worldview across generations. It highlights how mele served as mnemonic devices that enabled the continuity of information without relying on written words, contrasting this with the contemporary dependence on written documentation. Featuring the work of notable Haku Mele (skilled composers) and mele practitioners like Kainani Kahaunaele, Cody Pueo Pata, Zachary Lum, and Kealiʻi Reichel, the project underscores the significance of mele in celebrating and maintaining Hawaiian heritage. It aims to inspire future generations by emphasizing the importance of oral traditions in retaining ancestral knowledge and reinforcing connections to people, places, and the environment.
MELE: IPO KAʻUPU
HAKU MELE: CODY “PUEO” PATA
Do you have a loved one far away that you are waiting for to return home? “Ipo Kaʻupu” relates the reunion between Cody “Pueo” Pata and his long-time partner like the kaʻupu bird ritual after time apart.
(More details + photos to come)