Michael Pili Pang and his troupe, Huliau performed for over 75 minutes for a seated crowd of 163.
The costumes were striking and lovely, the chanting beautiful, the music artfully arranged and recorded and the live drumming and use of traditional percussion instruments added a great dimension. Many hula-themed performances present chants or music in Hawaiian and the audience is left to their own devices, only able to appreciate the lovely sound of the language. A factor that really set Huliau apart was the way Mr. Pili Pang told the story of the dance first, or even narrated in English during the early portions of each dance to describe what people were seeing and hearing, or guide them in what to watch for. Several people commented on how much they enjoyed and appreciated this after the event, and how much it added depth, understanding and appreciation. The show was smartly organized in a manner that built beautifully to a rousing final crescendo. A great afternoon on Lanai! |
