WOMAD

Mana Monoi

From United States

The Mana Maoli Collective (MMC) is a synergy of voices defining the new generation of music in Hawai'i. MMC refers to the hundreds of artists who donate their time and talent to Mana Maoli live and recorded performances, in support of keiki, 'aina, and pono. These artists span the range of seasoned veterans and living legends, to underground and adolescent prodigies, blurring the notions of age and time in a harmonious chorus of innovative, "Maoli Music".
Representing the Mana Maoli Collective at WOMAD will be Kumu Hula Sonny Ching and his dancers, and an all-star band that includes John Cruz, Anuhea, many members of Natural Vibrations, Kiliona Young and Lopaka Colon.
The diverse backgrounds of this all-star collective coming together under Mana Maoli give rise to fresh, creative methods of empowering our communities, educating our youth, and striving for sustainability in all aspects of our lives. This collective of Kanaka Maoli vocalists, musicians and hula practitioners have shown on and offstage that they are committed to the perpetuation and protection of Hawai'i's unique culture and environment.
Able to deliver various styles of music and dance for different venues and audiences, reggae, jazz, hip-hop, dancehall, the blues, traditional and contemporary Hawaiian Music are woven together with a poetry that is distinctively Hawaiian, tantalizing ones senses and emotions from the very core. Generations of struggles, triumphs, and perseverance gave birth to unique sounds pulled from multiple genres of soulful music. This is Maoli music!
(Biography supplied by WOMAD New Zealand 2011)