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KGMB9 News at 10
Aloha Aunty Nona Print E-mail
Written by Brooks Baehr - bbaehr@kgmb9.com   
April 10, 2008 07:57 PM

 
Nona Beamer was a story teller, song writer, hula dancer, chanter, and perhaps above all an educator. She spent almost 40 years teaching at Kamehameha schools.

"I can remember that very first time when she said aloha to me," Wayne Panoke said.

Panoke was one of Beamer's students at Kamehameha.

"And she just brought to light the importance of us understanding who we are and why we are so special as Hawaiians," Panoke added.

Beamer went to Kamehameha before teaching there. In the 1930's she was expelled for a short time for standing up while performing the hula.Only the sit down style of hula, called noho, was permitted at the time.

Later in the 60's as a teacher Beamer led a hula revolt of sorts ... and it wasn't until then that standup hula was permitted.

"It was like breaking a giant kapu on hula, and that really was the renaissance of Merrie Monarch coming alive. That was the hula halau coming alive. She did so much. She has such a legacy that she's leaving behind for all of us," said Jon De Mello, owner of the Mountain Apple Company

Beamer started the Hawaiian studies program at Kamehameha and is credited with coining the term "hawaiiana." She was the matriarch of a family of entertainers. Her son's Keola and Kapono are award winning performers. In an interview done just six months ago Beamer shared her outlook on life.

"I'm having so much fun. And I'm so grateful. And I think, look where we are and all of this beauty. And no matter where we look around us it is glorious. How lucky can we be?" Beamer exclaimed.

That interview with Aunty Nona first aired on KHET in October. And KHET will air it again in its entirety this evening. Nona Beamer's ashes will be scattered during a private family ceremony on the Big Island.


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Last Updated ( April 10, 2008 07:57 PM )
 

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