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- Nona Beamer: Hawaiian Elder
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- Heidi Chang
Nona Beamer was a highly respected kupuna (Hawaiian elder), known for her efforts in preserving Hawaiian culture. Beamer was a master of Hawaiian storytelling, chant and traditional hula. She was also a gifted songwriter, performer and teacher. As a child, she learned how to chant to the ocean from her own grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer, a prolific composer.
Nona Beamer is remembered as the matriarch of one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and the mother of Keola and Kapono Beamer, who are both slack key masters and talented musicians in their own right.
Nona Beamer recorded a CD with her son, Keola, called "The Golden Lehua Tree: Stories and Music from the Heart of Hawaii's Beamer Family." This piece includes interviews with Nona Beamer, Keola Beamer and hula master Maile Loo. Nona Beamer passed away on April 10, 2008, leaving behind a rich legacy of Hawaiian storytelling, music and hula, including her unique knowledge of 242 different types of ancient hulas. Originally broadcast on NPR's "Morning Edition" in 2000.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
Nona Beamer was a highly respected kupuna (Hawaiian elder), known for her efforts in preserving Hawaiian culture. Beamer was a master of Hawaiian storytelling, chant and traditional hula. She was also a gifted songwriter, performer and teacher. As a child, she learned how to chant to the ocean from her own grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer, a prolific composer.
Nona Beamer is remembered as the matriarch of one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and the mother of Keola and Kapono Beamer, who are both slack key masters and talented musicians in their own right.
Nona Beamer recorded a CD with her son, Keola, called "The Golden Lehua Tree: Stories and Music from the Heart of Hawaii's Beamer Family." This piece includes interviews with Nona Beamer, Keola Beamer and hula master Maile Loo. Nona Beamer passed away on April 10, 2008, leaving behind a rich legacy of Hawaiian storytelling, music and hula, including her unique knowledge of 242 different types of ancient hulas. Originally broadcast on NPR's "Morning Edition" in 2000.
Broadcast History
First broadcast on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" in January 2000."
Timing and Cues
Host intro:
Nona Beamer dedicated her life to preserving Hawaiian culture. She was a gifted storyteller, hula dancer, songwriter and teacher. Since she died in 2008, her legacy continues to touch the lives of many today. Beamer shares her family stories on "The Golden Lehua Tree," a CD she made with her son, slack key master Keola Beamer. From Honolulu, Heidi Chang has this profile.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Promise of the Tree Shells | Nona Beamer | The Golden Lehua Tree. | Starscape Music | 1996 | 06:39 |
| Twin Sisters | Nona Beamer | The Golden Lehua Tree. | Starscape Music | 1996 | 04:44 |
| The Beauty of Mauna Kea | Nona Beamer & Keola Beamer | The Golden Lehua Tree. | Starscape Music | 1996 | 05:46 |
Additional Files
- GLTcd.jpg (gltcd.jpg)
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Traci Tong
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 02:53 AM | Permalink
Review of Nona Beamer: Hawaiian Elder
Beautiful profile of one of Hawaii's "leading ladies" -- Nona Beamer.
The pacing is a bit quick but the story is not lost. The listener will enjoy the melodic Hawaiian music throughout the piece.
What I love about this piece is that it's not your sterotypical piece on Hula and Hawaii. It goes beyond the dance and chants and presents a criical look at a time when the art form was restricted to women and to students at a prestigious school for Hawaiians.
This piece is well worth the consideration for Women's History month in March or Asian American heritage month in May. Actually, this story is worth airing at any time.