Haka

I got to be part of something that was quit amazing today. I helped my friend Devin film a "Haka" (hawk-uh) performed by a group of men and women who are renown for their performances and even compete in Haka competitions.

They give nothing less than a 110%

Haka is a traditional dance form of the Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand). However, these are are unlike any dance you have ever seen. They are raw, intense, intimidating and beautiful. Many people are mistaken, and have been mislead to think that there is only one Haka, or that it is a war dance performed only by men. This however, is not true. They are performed by men, women, small groups, large groups, and sometimes children. They are performed for various reasons, all of which are designed to communicate. Whether it be for amusement, awareness, preparing for war, or to acknowledge achievement.

Who would have thought some of the most intimidating people, are also some of the nicest?

Haka is physically demanding. Especially when performing many times in a row.

Before today I had seen only two Haka's performed here in Hawaii. Both at a wedding that I filmed in Honolulu. The first was performed by a group of men hired specifically for the wedding. I did not know what message they were expressing because I don't speak Māori, the other Haka was performed by the father of the bride. He explained before his performance that it was a Haka he used to perform with his High School football team before games. The message was about becoming men, playing with dignity, and never giving up. Again, I don't know exactly what was said during his performance, but watching it you can feel the message. It comes to you in the form of loud chanting, the slapping of body parts, and feet stomping the ground. It dominates everything around it. It requires your attention, and stays with you long after the performance ends. They do not need music to guide the rhythem of the performance. Instead the perfect choreography of the body slapping, yelling and movement, that when combined creates sound waves that are nothing short of musical.

The very definition of intense.

Now that you have an idea of what Haka is, watch this video below of the New Zealand rugby team the "All Blacks" (no, that's not a racial slur, that's their name) as they perform their specific Haka before a game.

Pretty intense right? This is not what I would want to see my opponent doing before a match started. Definitely a great way to start the game off with a bit of an edge. I'm surprised the other team is able to refrain from laying in the fetal position sucking their own thumbs.

Preparing for the next shot.

The Haka that we filmed today was brilliant in every way. The location we shot at is the beautiful Kua'loa ranch on Oahu. This ranch has been used as the back drop for several films and tv shows such as Pearl Harbor, Jurrasic Park, LOST, Godzilla and many others. Luckily we get to film there for free. We shot it on top of a hill, and I'm very excited to see the final edit.

Small price to pay for an awesome an amazing time, and eventually a great video.

If you ever get the chance to see a Haka be performed I highly recommend watching it. You'll be glad you did! Just don't be surprised if you find yourself shaking after it's over.