Why is Hula Important to Hawaii?

In our new film “Hula is Hawaii” - we take you through the legacy of an island and show you WHY Hula is so much more than just a beautiful dance 💚🌿
Starring @kuhao
@leinaalajardin
@kaleimokihanaoleinaala
Supported by @olukai
Directors of photography
@cory.s.martin and the one and only @nainoalanger
Edited and sound design by
@drewlongest
Animation by @hanja.behavior
Color and Music Arrangement by @nainoalanger
Film Score by @maluhia.music
Directed, Hosted, and Produced by yours truly. ALOHA GANGY!!!!
#hula #hawaii #merriemonarch

[@GalaxyGarden]

Now everyone go tune into Merrie Monarch Festival, happening now in Hilo! =^.^=

[@CaptainPotter]

YESSAH

[@piratessalyx7871]

@@CaptainPotterthe men dancers are my favorite

[@lisal9829]

I have lived in Hawaii for 15 years, and it is the first time I watched Merrie Monarch. I watched most of yesterday and today...then they just announced the winners. I managed to pick the first place winners, purely based on the emotion that they evoked in me. My heart is full. Mahalo.

[@maczaira3877]

It’s sad how short form content rules KZbin now. This deserves way more attention and likes. Well done man!

[@sharonknorr1106]

This was wonderful. I am a haole from the mainland who lived in Hawaii for four years and fell in love with the culture and the people. Years later, I had the great fortune and privilege to join a hula halau on the mainland and study with a kumu. We learned chanting, both hula kahiko and hula ʻauana, made our own pa'u skirts and I also learned how to play the ukulele. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life to be in that halau with my kumu and my sisters. It is forever a part of me.

[@kamakauli]

Your Mainland is Called America, for us Kanaka, Hawai’i is ours. It’s important as Haole to recognize Hawaiis History. Much Aloha

[@Hittdogg17]

❤❤❤🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽 I love how you embrace the culture. You understand "haole" is not derogatory. I am Hawaiian Chinese English Portuguese and Polish. My haole ancestors came to Hawaii in the 1800s, white men who embraced the culture and assimilated. Their keiki spoke Hawaiian in the home. Aloha my bruddah

[@ampinghard111]

your story warms my heart as a kanaka maoli... mahalo nui for sharing and spreading aloha everywhere you go.

[@gopidevi-meditacionytransm3142]

I woukd like to go to Hawaii ans learn all that !!

[@arwedgroen]

❤ Aloha from Gernany 🥰🙏

[@Ayelet.M]

I have zero connection to Hawaii, but I have goosebumps and I’m crying. This dance is spiritual and I felt it. This video needs to be seen by more people.

[@livefrom201]

If you get it from this, visit! It’s when more overwhelming in person.

[@shc6783]

Much mahalo for this. It brought our ohana to tears. Thank you for honoring the people of Hawai’i. Please continue your work. It is so important.

[@CaptainPotter]

Mahalo for watching - so happy the ohana enjoyed

[@44thStation]

This video summarizes why I chose environmental studies as my major. Not only is it important to know in a scientific way how this world flows, but also within us & how we are connected to it. I think we often forget that we are just guests here. Sending love from Florida.

[@mwendapolephiri5692]

The world wasn’t created for humans, humans were created not only for but from the world. We indeed are only a small part of this grand creation

[@henit4798]

So beautiful and powerful! It was like a candy for the spirit. People of Hawaii still remember who they really are. Mahalo for bringing this ancient way of life back to light. It is very important knowledge we all need to cherish. Amazingly beautiful video, like always. Thank you and Aloha.

[@CaptainPotter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Shialina]

When Kuha’o started singing at 3:52 it was so beautiful! I didn’t understand the words but I could feel the plants being receptive to his request. They were happy to oblige! Such a beautiful video. Thanks Sam 🌿🍃

[@CaptainPotter]

Thank you so much!!

[@michaeldonovan3959]

What a beautiful film. It was my good fortune to live in Hawaii when I was young. This is a Hawaiian story, but it applies to ancient culture and traditions everywhere. This is what we must cherish and preserve.

[@angeltyson1966]

That was beautiful it needs to be longer. It needs to be a Netflix special. The world needs to see this and have an understanding even though we’re humans were a small part of what this universe with this world with this earth is about.

[@CaptainPotter]

❤

[@Ayelet.M]

I would want to see this as a Netflix movie indeed.

[@sandramorey2529]

A wonderful explanation of the hula and all the associations that come with it in Halau. I live in Oakland CA and have traveled often to Hawaii. I came to love hula and mele from my mother, who learned hula from Hawaiian roustabouts when she was in the A.G.Barnes circus. After the circus closed down she and the roustabouts took their act to the big hotel showrooms, east coast, Chicago and Montrial. We always had 49th State records playing. Later, I studied hula, made my own Ipu Heke & learned ukulele. It has greatly enhanced my life and I truly appreciate this depth to explain what makes Hawaii and hula so special. Mahalo.

[@maloha]

Insanely beautiful! What a true cinematic documentary that the world needs to see.

[@user-lg1gj3li9j]

Thank you for the beautiful lesson on what is Hawaii .Blessings to you!

[@travisgrant5608]

Hula and chants are the spiritual heartbeats of Hawaii.

[@nadinelynch9591]

Maika'i and Mahalo nui loa for sharing our culture and history ❤. As a Kanaka Maoli and a hula dancer myself, one never retired from dancing hula is LIFE 😊

[@CaptainPotter]

❤❤❤❤

[@iamaloha2]

Everyone wants to dance the hula but, living through the hula stories of our kupuna is where life begins and continues.

[@reynettekaopua6243]

Mahalo nui for this, it is more than just a dance it is a way of life. Maika'i so appreciate you and your videos. The tears are flowing.

[@CaptainPotter]

Mahalo mahalo

[@hanaibyLai]

“Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people”❤❤❤#MMdaswhy

[@GodwinIsaac]

Beautiful storytelling. The cinematography and sound design is immaculate 🤌🏼

[@artbyraik]

That brought a few tears to my eyes. So beautiful. Greetings from Germany💚

[@CaptainPotter]

Wow, thank you!

[@Outlawes]

Wow, Sam! The level of storytelling in this is insane! Can't wait for you to release a feature-length one day! loved the variation between the grades as well. They all tied in together super nicely! What lenses are you using out of interest?

[@CaptainPotter]

Thanks a ton!

[@andrewkeliikoa3763]

Hula is a important part of our Native Hawaiian Culture and heritage, that has been around for more then a hundreds of years taught to us by our ancestors and by our kupuna and our kumu. It is telling the stories of the past present and future. That is what makes hula dancing a part of our lives.

[@WorldOfGymcraft]

commenting for the algorythm - this deserves more views.

[@jennymauger]

Splendid pulse of sacred place(s) 🙏🏼🤍🙌🏽🌺💧🌱

[@alanaUK]

Glorious and in sacred unison with all there is, all there has ever been and all there will be ❤

[@JapanDream808]

Awesome video! I really enjoy your work! Good to see my Big Island braddah Kuha'o. Aloha from Yokohama, Japan🤙

[@CaptainPotter]

Mahalo you!! Hope to find myself in Japan again soon ❤

[@Billy23562]

Why’d you move to Japan

[@JapanDream808]

@@Billy23562mahalo🤙🏽 I was working in radio on the Big Island for many years, and wanted to try a bigger market. Grateful that I was able to find work in my field in Japan. Hawai’i will always be home though.

[@jenpomroy8336]

Mahalo for supporting and sharing our culture. I enjoyed every bit of this! 🤙🏽

[@CaptainPotter]

Our pleasure!

[@jbond1991]

Beautifully done, the Lady who leads the dancers is a force of nature. Sam waiting for you to break out in some hula dance:)

[@sebastianedgar-jb7vt]

I would like native Hawaiians to keep their culture alive. As a Pacific islander at the far end of the South Pacific, PNG, I see our cultures are slowing disappearing. May our future generations keep our cultures alive.

[@tracylarrua5119]

Well done, well executed. Mahalo nu nui for this piece of beautiful storytelling.

[@kalanihiapo7344]

Great Job! mahalo for highlighting the art of hula!

[@808-PFH-Kanaka-Rights]

of course he's going to release it on Merrie Monarch morning. YESSAH BRADDAH 🤙 edit after watching: this is an amazing video. amazing people, amazing knowledge. it's merrie monarch, the perfect time for such a masterpiece. because of that, I must say, Mahalo for this. I know your videos on this series....iiit's just gonna get better and better and better 😎

[@CaptainPotter]

YOU KNOW DA RULES CHEEEEE

[@808-PFH-Kanaka-Rights]

iiiiit's merrriie monarch cuuuuz 🤙 have a great weekend!!!!1@@CaptainPotter

[@Elkins711]

Beautiful, ethereal short film on Hula. Was magical to watch.

[@pamelamakaea2930]

Beautiful 💜Aloha

[@jusbamathy1355]

This was filmed so beautifully 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@momsaccount4683]

thank you for your video showing truth and life. It’s truly respectful

[@CaptainPotter]

Always

[@lauracivitello4242]

Excellent. Beautiful beyond words.

[@CaptainPotter]

Many thanks!

[@KingsMom831]

Thanks for another incredible video!!❤

[@cozmicmogwai422]

This video brought me to tears. I'm not familiar with the Hawaiian culture at all, and this was a great lesson. Thank you for your work, and thank you to all these people allowing Hula to still be alive knowing all the sad things that happened. This is so precious, and we must protect these people and their culture at all costs. Thank you for giving them visibility and allowing us to have a glimpse on their beautiful and much needed philosophy (especially with the curent situation on our planet). Much love from Switzerland

[@tinal.stuart6524]

This was a great hula preview and I like that spiritual aspects and thoughts that go into pounding kapa. Mahalo Travis.

[@victoire1112]

I am so impressed! You make the most beautiful documentaries I’ve ever seen. And I really love documentaries. But this is really next level… movie night!

[@Anakalia-iq1vu]

Dancing Hula myself for nearly 25 years this is now my favorite film about Hula after Holo Mai Pele...well done!❤

[@rileynakamura5492]

the why thank you after the chant hella cute haha. good work kuhao

[@CaptainPotter]

Bahahah

[@stephrice5087]

This is such an important video and very well done! Thank you Sam and the people of Hawaii for sharing Hula with us!❤❤❤

[@CaptainPotter]

❤❤❤

[@estrela3889]

Mahalo nui for your work. Hula and heart!

[@GroFilms]

Kuhao!! Stoked. Love this. Mahalo!

[@sterinhardy]

Great video brother ❤ I Loved how you showed their culture and I love their traditional music and dance in the second half of the video🪩 Hula is hawaii 🍁🤍🍁

[@freedomwanderer91]

So awesome. I did not realize the sugnifcence of hula until I went to Hawai'i and saw it in person. I was completely mezmerized and deeply move by it. I love the culture.

[@Candystonemusic]

You have such a gift Sam! And what you are doing for kanaka is Gods work ❤ this is exquisite!

[@tracysires2234]

Mahalo Nui for sharing this!! THIS is what makes Hawaii, it's history, the people, the lineages, and the islands so beautiful!

[@NoctLightCloud]

this is very high quality, from the cutting, music, lighting, filming, to the script. How is this freely available on KZbin? Amazing! AND you're charming.

[@tarapayne4945]

Mahalo Nui Loa🤙🫵🥰✨

[@tamarawidmer1900]

So beautiful ♥🌿 Greetings from Switzerland

[@arwedgroen]

Aloha ❤ from Germany - the HALE ALOHA. This doku is amazing good. So lovely filmed - so deep - you wonderfully convey the mood and the magic of the hula and the spirit of Hawai'i. Mahalo nui loa 🥰🙏

[@teet.6778]

Beautiful as all ways. Every video you upload makes me emotional. I miss my Ohana in O'hau. Mahalo nui loa from the bottom of my heart!

[@rebekazuborova1446]

absolutely beautiful

[@terilit]

Mahalo for this beautiful film. I am a hula novice and this taught me so much.

[@kaserbermo]

As always...absolutely beautiful Sam! Mahalo Nui!

[@adoa77]

Even the filming, the rhythm, the storytelling of this short film are impregnated with Hula. Thanks for this beautiful work. To those who know, if one wanted to have an immersive experience learning Hula for 3 months, where would you recommend me to go? Ideally where I can offer work in exchange of accommodation and Hula classes, so to breath it in my every day life. During the pandemic I felt the call and since then I've been looking for places to learn but where I live in EU there's nothing available.Thanks in advance.

[@zombiefireman]

So beautiful. So organic. Truly the essence of connection.

[@parkerphillips8757]

I love all your videos dude they’ve full inspired my life 🤙🏼

[@CaptainPotter]

Glad you like them!

[@ljtirado5934]

Powerful!!!!!! Thank you

[@evereletkline8732]

Gorgeously done Mahalo

[@noeausataraka1020]

So much aloha for you Sam, as someone who loves a good story, you pretty much nail it on the head every single time without failure. Making these short stories about Hawai'i hits so hard for me (in a good way). So wit that being said, mahalo nui a loa e Sam Potter, you truly are an artist and have my utmost respect at every level

[@CaptainPotter]

Wow, thank you!

[@aswathykrishna9004]

If only I could put into words how great this is❤️🌏

[@chassheppard]

Hyped!

[@BeautifulPlaces]

Such a nice video. Respect for all the work

[@michaeldonovan3959]

Also, narration and production value is superb. Mahalo.

[@CaptainPotter]

Thank you kindly!

[@racheltordoff32]

Keep it alive 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@TucAdventures]

Love it so much! I'm so stoked to get back to work on my projects...I'm going to get back to writing scripts now. So tomorrow I can get out and climb..and then get to filming out there. Thanks as always. You're a beast. 🙌

[@TucAdventures]

Really though. I love how not basic it is. I feel like any Hawaiian can watch this an learn something or at least enjoy it. Not just putting out content that will appeal retain the attention of someone who doesn't know anything about Hawaii. I hope to do the same...but not about Hawaii.🤣

[@CaptainPotter]

Have fun!

[@alanpotter1968]

Powerful.

[@GucciVisual]

Bro! Great job! As a filmmaker I can’t praise you enough for those anamorphic lens closeup shots!! Cheers

[@CaptainPotter]

I appreciate that!

[@TimothyJNichols]

Hauntingly beautiful! Thank you for this!

[@helenahutte5515]

beautiful, just beautiful!!! and amazing editing, helps to tell the story more powerfully

[@LauradelaRie]

I got so emotional..

[@Goofywolves]

Very well done video!! That gave me chicken skin! I was born and raised in Hawaii and was lucky enough to learn a little hula from my 3 years attending Mid Pacific Institute. I so miss it.

[@CaptainPotter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marianavivas5100]

This speaks to the depths of my soul. Thank you

[@BelindaFarage]

Aloha 'aina. This is soul beautiful. Mahalo.

[@PeterOlsonSD]

Such a beautiful art form... and, as usual, you've done a great job of capturing it and sharing the history behind it. This should be shown on flights to the islands as an intro to Hawaiian culture.

[@CaptainPotter]

Thank you so much 😀

[@glorywipfli247]

What a beautiful telling! Thank you so much

[@highvibe4839]

Mahalo and Gday from Australia, I’ve just found your fabulous Chanel, this was absolutely beautiful to watch and listen to. It is said that our Aboriginals ( indigenous) peoples of Australia dance on ley lines which gives strong connections to both body and earth. Looking at the hula it seems these women are drawing from earth, and air, do they know if they dance on ley lines? Our ley lines need to carry song lines, positive energies for people, our earth and animals, our planet and people globally need much healing currently, Regardless of ley lines, this is heavenly! Thank you for Hawaiians and staying true to culture.. ❤

[@QuianaDiggs]

Thank you for this beautiful video. I used this in my classes today.

[@CaptainPotter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HermionesVisualLibrary]

so beautiful! tears in my eyes

[@Gazella6]

Thank you for this mesmerizing and touching film… i have been fascinated by the Hawaiian culture and language for a few years now and this film made me certain that i need to take a bigger step on deepening my knowledge about Hawaii ✨

[@CaptainPotter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nafanua_]

This was well put together. Thank you.

[@PracticalPerry]

Great video. I am glad you also showed the male hula, as many think hula is only a women's activity in Hawai'i and it is not. In fact, I have watched male hula competitions on KZbin. Male hula dancers go through intense training, such as carrying a boulder through the ocean. Hawaiin male hula dancers are true athletes. Male hula dancers must be able to dance in a semi-squat position (if you will) for a long period of time. This burns those quads. ; ) Please show more male hula dancers, like in a group, next time, just like you showed the group of women hula dancers.

[@edengranger4501]

Amazing work as always! I’ve been subscribed for years and all your videos are so beautiful💜🪼🦋🦎

[@CaptainPotter]

Thank you so much!

[@SherryLin]

absolutely stunning work! learned so much!!

[@MrBBowe]

Great video work. Love the story!

[@tlcHI]

HULA IS LIFE! E O

[@wasabiginger6993]

Am so grateful that my Kumu Haku was Raylene Ha'alelea Kawaiae'a 23 years ago at Kamame'e North Kohala ... who never compromised her guidance ... and whose seer abilities changed my life forever.

[@CaptainPotter]

❤❤

[@TheBunnigyrl]

When I first realized it was a Haole narrating and producing this I thought “here we go again” But I must admit that this was good.

[@rockamusprime]

Mahalo's nui loa ❤️ for sharing yeah. -Aloha

[@NainoaLanger]

Great job team!

[@GiotheLeo17]

Mahalo for your representation of Hawai’i. 🤙🏼

[@CaptainPotter]

Always!

[@matildemestre9077]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful culture. Keep going:)

[@CaptainPotter]

Thank you, I will

[@KuusFaddah_44]

Mahaaaaalo braddah 💯💯💯💯💯🤙🏽

[@vorstervz]

Amazing video! Which lenses did you guys shoot this on?

[@kaskahea1274]

🤙🏽

[@ocean-dasteez288]

I know you probably get a lot of these and they don’t mean very much to you. But I would be amazing and so Inspiring to the Native people if you were to document the native Americans on the mainland(Navajos) and there practices and how different it is, and what they do to this day.