#146

[@LadyMysti]

The kumu, the legend, the mentor. Y'all listen closely. He changed my lifestyle back in the early 2000s with just his wisdom and Aloha. Long story short.

[@ROCKLaverne-rq4ws]

Iv been a fan, admirer of Mark since I knew about him. I study his music and his dance and his way of life. My grandfather was a Hawaiian and yet I never been to Hawaii yet. I was behind Mark the other day in a restaurant and was so nervous to say the wrong thing….im still kicking myself for that! Love the podcast and that he was on to explain the ways… love it. Mahalo ! Keep keeping it Aloha!!

[@KeepitAlohaPod]

❤️🤙🏽❤️

[@sandramorey2529]

I love Mark. He had a Kupuna group a decade or so ago and I was just going through chemotherapy for b.cancer. I joined the Kupuna group, tho I am not Hawaiian. I have loved hula since my mom was hanaied by a couple of circus roustabouts, taught hula and played 49th state records . I learned a lot from kumu and when he was part of Lilo & Stitch we were all thrilled and got to see the rushes. It helped me get through treatment. That was over 25 years ago. Thanks for having him. I love your podcast, especially this one and Keanu Sai's.

[@jelairefitzgerald2280]

He tumu whakarae tēnei tangata! Mīharo! This one of my favorite podcast. I’ve lived away from Aotearoa over half my life and over 23 years of that was in Lā’ie sharing my culture with people from all over the world in entertainment realms and competition stages and have respected this man and what he’s done since first seeing his Halau in 1997 hula with uliuli like never seen before. I remember asking Cy Bridges what he thought and he said “they not ready for him” - so his hula style became a favorite for my family alongside O’brian Eselu and John Ka’imikawa - mahalo K.I.A podcast 🙏🏽

[@patriciamurashige6879]

Man.. I heard the type of hula he was teaching was controversial , but man before that I always waited for his halau to perform.. it was so intriguing and cool. Love his way of thinking about everything!!! When his halau was performing I used to think this guy has a way of thinking and not worrying about the way it’s supposed to be!! Keep up being real and you!!!

[@pheonixguy33maneha99]

When you came on with the glasses I was like hahaha yessaa way to represent braddah! ❤️❤️❤️🤙🤙🤙

[@ominalani3209]

Kumu is the real thing. Very down to earth. Best interview ever!

[@lani9992]

Mahalo Nui Kamaka, for bringing Kumu Mark to your podcast, I was pleasantly surprised since Kumu Mark doesn’t do much interviews except small kine at MM. Kumu Mark is the real deal & the most creative Kumu of all Halau’s, I’ve been a fan for 25+ yrs , he keeps Hula alive & exciting .

[@wandasanchez551]

Love your podcast. I’m from the Bay Area and got to see Kumu Mark at AHA along with Kuana Torres Kahele who you also had as a guest. What can I say. Two amazing gifted people.

[@e10lafalot85]

The best interview to date! Mahalo nui!

[@SeanHarper-j2d]

Such an amazing interview! Mahalo!

[@KeepitAlohaPod]

Mahalo for the comment 🤙🏽

[@leistickit2953]

As a Polynesian dancer, I love Kumu Mark!!! He is right on!!! I still love being in Hawaii and I'm returning soon!!

[@Kalaninuimehameha]

Mahalo Nui loa! Keep the real Legends coming ke ʻoluʻolu! Manu Boyd next!!!!!!💗💗💗💗💗

[@marvinkamei7007]

live in the present and learn from the past and remember where u came back!! and start to make the future great!!

[@namele9198]

As a hula dancer and someone who was heavily brought up in Hawaiian culture and moved to places far away from home, I'm intrigued by Kumu Mark's perspectives and can wholeheartedly appreciate these perspectives. In my case, I find it extremely challenging to be separated from Hawai'i. From a positive perspective, it challenges me not to fall into assimilation but to be unapologetically myself and proudly Hawaiian wherever I go. I find it contrary to the idea that Hawaiians in Hawai'i are more concerned about their Hawaiian identity more than the diaspora. Today, since hula, olelo Hawaii, and Hawaiian independence have become much more popular (probably with the help of social media), many kanaka friends of mine who were born and raised on the continent miss their genuine connection to Hawai'i, most times, making them feel like inferior Hawaiians or as if they have imposter syndrome. Perhaps those from Oahu have similar perspectives as Kumu Mark because I, too, feel uncomfortable there, and it also hurts my heart to feel that way. I agree with Kumu that we must also focus on "vertical aina" (a term I absolutely love) but the aina itself is still so important for future generations. Will my children have the opportunity to hear ka ua kanilehua? Will they ever be able to smell ka makani hauomaihi? Will they know Puna paia aala i ka hala and genuinely understand the kaona and feel the spiritual connection to aina and their kupuna? That connection, to me, is hula. We can try to explain, explain, explain, just as Kumu talks of, but if we want to hula with motions about na makani, na ua, na kai, na lau, how can we authentically hula about things we have never seen or felt? If these valuable insights are lost because aina is desecrated and Hawaiians are displaced, the foundations of hula could be lost. How could we innovate and be creative in hula with no foundation? It would lack the kaona, the authenticity, the spirituality and the ability to practice hula in its highest form. To continue the legacy of our rich traditions, I am encouraged to fight for aina and the ability for Hawaiians to stay or return to Hawaii. Mahalo for evoking discussion, reflection, and fellowship!

[@eawallace4354]

Amazing podcast, mahalo nui loa. I will watch more episodes very soon. I'm not Hawaiian but I pick up things from you wonderful people that seem so timeless and important to live a fulfilled life with confidence and a deep connection to the inner self and the mana. Kumu Mark is a Legend, his songs (along with Hapa) got me into studying and researching about Hawaii and its people, culture and history ... and the AHA hulas are a delight to watch.

[@TuTuFox]

OMG Mark looks so different. I dont think I would recognize him if I saw him in public. My girls all danced for Kaleo O Nalani in San Diego & they danced for the 49ers half time show back in the day. I cannot remember the yr. But anyway Mark was their Kumu. Believe me he don't put up with NOTHING & thats good👍🏽

[@rickkahapea5361]

Awesome interview!

[@halauhulaoualanihhou8639]

You should come to Aloha Festival in Tempe, Arizona. March 15 and 16

[@kenilynkaiwi8772]

Beautiful, interesting,educational interview.

[@tatankahanska120]

I feel that i left Hawai'i nei back in 2003 and went back for visit and I was hurt by the way Honolulu and the Mana went change. I'm native American and okinawan but being born and raised in Hawai'i and being around Kanaka Maoli I feel the hurt and suffering. Just like where my mom from the Indian reservation. I work and serve my Tribe but I feel the hurt what happens here and back home on da aina. Idk I felt sad being home and I felt sad on the Indian reservation. Mark made sense big time. Kumu knows what life should be not to happy but to embrace knowing who you are whether you native American or hawaiian.

[@nohea9936]

i enjoy kumu Mark Hoomalu i enjoy his presentation of the hula

[@sevmonstr1]

Mark keeping it's real. My cousin used to dance for Mark back in the day in the bay area.

[@KeepitAlohaPod]

🤙🏽

[@Hibbard1986]

Hey Bradda - What is Kaʻuhinilele - found on reddit cricket?

[@swirledworld340]

This uncle's voice chanting during the merrie monarch performance was incredibly enchanting.

[@denisekaili1694]

He's one of a kind! Mahalo uncle for keeping it Aloha 🤙🏽

[@KeepitAlohaPod]

❤️❤️❤️

[@KahaleMartinez]

Aloha mai Knoxville TN!

[@mefromthesea9402]

2:34:24 🤪... watched every second and loved it! ❤

[@Kalaninuimehameha]

“Endurance test for the audience” 😭🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@sideswipejinyoxP]

“I don’t need to be in Hawaii to be Hawaiian.” 8 year old me needed to hear that growing up. I’m Kanaka but not Kama’aina. And unfortunately I have been labeled as “not ___ enough.” Because of my mixed blood.

[@infinitysmartbox5511]

On the size of our problems. I think you minimizing our problems here in Hawai’i. Problems like the military poisoning Oahus Aquifer. Poisoning and diverting the Wai all over. We have Hawaiians living on the streets with nothing to eat and wake up not knowing what they going eat. I can go on and on with the problems our people have.

[@12toajulius]

Thankyou! Kamu! No matter where we at… no mattter where I’m at I’ll always be Hawaiian! Aloha no! Thanks you!

[@sakamagalei5576]

My nephew Kela Boy get all his smarts from Jen… Justin don’t got nothing to do with my nephews akamai…. Unko Mark is the man!!! I do t care what anybody says he is a great teacher, humble and a great role model for ALL not just the Haumana!!!! _\,,/

[@mailove4Jah]

Uiha! Kumu Mark Kealiihoomalu keeping it all the way 💯!!! Cheeeee!!

[@alexistripp589]

💯❤

[@johnthomasdesign]

he alii ka aina he kauwa ke kanaka the land will always be chief.

[@malaihiboi]

Being Hawaiian was cool in my day but the Hawaiian class in high-school was all mahus and girls, the teacher small kine too, and none of the straight guys would ever be interested. But I now know if I did, would have been interesting. You always worry about what other people think of you when younger. Adults need to encourage it and remind them it's ok

[@sakamagalei5576]

Take kea of the vertical Aina

[@fayepersson8103]

I feel the same way😢

[@Molokainokaheke-i8u]

🫡 ✊🏾🐚🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@marvacevedo3857]

This guy more Japanese maybe his mom blood, I no feel aloha pure I feel 50/50

[@purdykawahilani1304]

Im idk dey no pay me to tink! 😂

[@tatankahanska120]

If like tink den can but in no like no can no need yah

[@purdykawahilani1304]

Its so simpo! It makes me crack up!

[@infinitysmartbox5511]

I agree on somethings but I strongly disagree on some other thing he said. To each his own.

[@alohauniversal3896]

🙏🏽Mahalo nui! ☀️ Such an amazing, creative Hawaiian! 🌙 🌺 Love Kumu’s perspective! ❤️‍🔥 At approx 20”: “Where’s the celebration of life, of movement ?!”…🙌🏾 “And they feel more displaced here [in Hawai’i], than out there…out there they are able to, people see them Hawaiian….” . “ ‘Is that what you see? You know what your problem is, yeah? 👀Your eyeballs don’t look inwards, they only look outwards… you’re looking for someone to affirm that you’re Hawaiian.” 🤙🏾 🌺 “I said: ‘Brah, this Hawaiian is Hawaiian. Brah, when I go, I Hawaiian blind. 👁️…. I’m Hawaiian & I don’t need to be Hawaiian in Hawai’i. 👣 Where I put my feet is mine.” 👣🌎🙌🏾 🦎🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏾‍♂️“Go take care of the vertical ‘Āina, take care of this land [pointing to his head & body], cause inside this, right here, is where your ‘iwi is. It’s not the dirt where we stand on.”🙌🏾 💪🏿🤙🏾 ✨🌈✨True embodiment ! 💫 🕊️I love it ! 😍🤩😍 🙏🏽 Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo for a super, thought provoking & inspiring interview! ❤️‍🔥

[@LeialohaBeachNH]

Brah das how . I get aina hea in NE. Hawaiian ova hea.

[@Maohi-Gypsy-787]

Kamaka can u pls stop saying shishi break hoopailua kela mea ke oluolu kiko pau. Aloha Pumehana

[@KeepitAlohaPod]

😂

[@LeialohaBeachNH]

Plenty left not because Dey couldn’t afford. Some left to be Hawaiian somewhere else.