Letter: Makuakane should be Hawaii Living Treasure

Aren’t we overdue to name Kaimuki’s master kumu hula and choreographer Patrick Makuakane a Hawaii Living Treasure (“Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakane brings ‘Unusual Places’ to Hawaii, Star-Advertiser, April 18)?

His Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu halau has taken hula mua — evolved hula blending traditional movements with music such as opera, electronic, alternative and pop — to national acclaim and performances from the San Francisco Opera House to our Hawaii Theatre.

I cannot think of another local-born-and-raised dance and music performer/director who has risen to Makuakane’s level of accomplishment.

I hope the Living Treasure judges saw this past weekend’s “Hula In Unusual Places” performances here and agree that Makuakane deserves this honorific despite his residence in San Francisco.

Robert Owen Jones

Diamond Head

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