He made it more accessible and exciting and interesting. The experimentation, however, eventually drew him back to the tradition taught to him by his kumu, Maiki Aiu Lake. So all the stuff I do with hula mua has to have movements that are part of hula. It is the music that adds the unique dimension to hula mua, he said. The production is also an education for his mainland audiences.
People think they're coming to see a rinky-dinky hula show, and they come away educated.
This is like half classroom, half theatrical production. Makuakane's first encounter with hula wasn't a good experience. It was in 5th grade and I hated it, just hated it. I felt this pride. Hoomalu said he can see that pride in Makuakane's production.