Feature article about the Ha'a

http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2007/10/29/Sports/Ha8216a.Reminiscent.Of.Hawaiian.Culture-3062586.shtml


About replacing the haka with their ha'a, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"We didn't want some other culture representing Hawai‘i. Doing the haka that we did, it was a thing from the Maori culture and it wasn't representing Hawai‘i and the people, and that's why we decided to change it." (Ka Leo)

KL Note: "The ha‘a unites the team and helps the players show appreciation to their families and fans."


About how she spoke to the Warriors 3 years ago and provided assistance to help them develop an identity emerging from their name (the Warriors), Associate Professor of Hawaiian studies Kanalu Young said:
"After a while, it had very little to do with my involvement at all and had everything to do with where the players wanted to take it. They took off on that and expanded it." (KL)

KL Note: "Young provided Jones and the team with a Hawaiian phrase, "eō nā toa e," which translates to "Warriors, respond to the call of battle." "

KL Note: "The cultural aspect of the ha‘a revolves around how the team responds to adversity as a part of competitive sports, he explained. This year, the players also want to conduct themselves in a warrior-like manner on and off the field by being model student athletes and representing the team well.


About the lyrics to the ha'a, Young said:
"In ancient times, that would've been a battle. Today, metaphorically, it's football competition." (KL)

KL Note: "Young defined the ha‘a as a "physical protocol connected to a higher spiritual order." Although the lyrics are kept within the team, the movements suggest enforcing what it means to be a warrior and preparing an individual for a large, important group action." "


Hoping that the native Hawaiian community can embrace the ha'a, Young said:
"The leadership of the native Hawaiian players who have taken the kuleana (responsibility) to share their culture is so positive and should be appreciated." (KL)


When their football days are long gone, Young would be pleased to know that the Warriors will be able to say:
"I know what that means to respond to adversity, to respond when you're really needed to be there." (KL)


About how the ha'a contains more words than the haka, which probably made it more difficult to learn, Guyton Galdeira said:
"But I think that's a good thing in that when you see it and hear it, it really makes a great impression."

KL Note: "Kalilimoku, defensive back Guyton Galdeira and defensive lineman Keala Watson wrote and choreographed the ha‘a, making it even more personal to the team. All three have a background in Hawaiian language. After they wrote them, the lyrics were used as a guide to choreographing the routine. Then the ha‘a was taught to the team before their 7 a.m. practices. Galdeira also emphasized the importance of having a positive attitude and the team's willingness to learn.


About how the ha'a was a chance to learn about something different, Colt (from Irvine, CA) said:
"I'm kind of used to going all over the place. I enjoy kind of getting a chance to learn about the culture (I'm) living in." (KL)


About the ha'a, RGM (from Rialto, CA) said:
"At first, it was a little different. I didn't really understand it." (KL)

About how learning the words was difficult for him but he put the team ahead of himself, RGM said:
"It's something that when you do it, it's not about you; it's not about one individual person. It's about getting everybody up, getting the crowd into it ... getting that extra energy we need to get into the game." (KL)


About the ha'a, Keala Watson said:
"The combined effort of all us really resembles Hawaiian values. It's not just from one person; it's from the whole team. That's what makes it so personal for all of us." (KL)


About how the ha'a helped them develop an identity and brought them closer as a team, Colt said:
"When you look around in football, there's a lot of teams out there that have certain types of rituals and things that they do. This is something very specific to us. I really think it gives our team an identity and gives us a chance to really come closer." (KL)

KL Note: "Brennan also mentioned the ha‘a is effective in other ways like intimidating other teams and upsetting coaches. Kalilimoku emphasized that the ha‘a is not only for the team, but for showing appreciation for the love and support from their families and fans."


About how they are proud to represent Hawaii's culture, Galdeira said:
"The big difference coming here (to Hawai‘i) is that we have a culture. We're proud to represent that." (KL)