"Oli" is to chant Hawaiʻi text or poetry. Honua is this earth -- the floating earths out there, your body earth, and trillions of little earths that make up your body. When we chant, we engage the 8,000,000 reflections of ourselves in the natural world. Oli is the sonic expression of synchronizing what is "in here" and what is "out there".
Elements of Chant Training
Hoʻolono
Listen with all your senses
We listen and attune all our senses to the world around and within us. We elevate our awareness of self and breath. Deepening our attention to the environment is foundational for interpreting mele text and understanding the impact of literary devices (lonoa mele) within compositions.
Hoʻopili
Emulate what you've heard
We align with the energetics of our environment through sound. Chant styles (ʻano leo) and vocal techniques (leo oli) are brought together through vocal practice. Understanding the "why" and "when" of the styles and techniques reignite the written texts.
Hoʻomau
Carry forward
We ground and carry forward the use of oli within personal practice. Mele and oli are not artifacts, they are functional instruments for honing intention and connecting to our human and more-than-human communities.
"I so appreciate learning the different vocal techniques. This is something that I never learned before. The names of the techniques, when and how to use them. Mahalo! Itʻs been so great and has added a new layer of depth to my growing knowledge of oli."
Mehana M.
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Oli Honua Chant Course
Oli is the chanting of Hawaiʻi text or poetry. Dive into your chant potential through our restructured, 8-week Oli Honua course! Beginning with foundational skills, each week provides the opportunity to expand competence, confidence, and the joy of oli.
New at Hawaiian chant? Register for chant class NOW!
"It was a continuous highlight to join a global class and to feel instant connection literally with like souls from around the world who have this common bond and desire to learn and share oli"
Stephanie O.
How We Engage
Open
Oli Honua is appropriate for all skill levels. Whether looking to expand your oli skillset or having never chant before, our courses are for you!
Online
We are 100% online! Video content and all learning resources are uploaded to your member site for the duration of your course.
At Your Own Pace
Once enrolled in a particular Oli Honua course, you will have access to all course content for 1 whole year! Move at your own pace, revisit the lessons, enjoy the oli journey.
Bonus LIVEs
In addition to your course content, I host a LIVE (via Zoom) for each week of course content. This added bonus is a time for us to practice the content of the week and to connect as a global oli community.
Have Questions?
Here are some of the most common questions that folks have about Oli Honua.
Do I need any previous experience in oli?
Do I need to speak Hawaiian or live in Hawaiʻi?
What if I canʻt make the LIVE sessions?
Everyone CAN Chant!
Join Oli Honua and learn Hawaiʻi Chant!
"I have never been more comfortable in a class, and that is because of how comfortable an atmosphere Kumu Kekuhi creates in the live classes, emphasizing that we are not performing, but are practicing and that she is here to help."
Linda A.
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