In this special episode to celebrate the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival, we sit down with Kumu Hula, Karl Veto Baker, of Halau I Ka Wekiu for a heartfelt conversation that weaves together the art of hula and the spirit of aloha. Kumu Veto shares how his haumana prepare for Merrie Monarch and what it means to watch his dancers rise to the moment. He describes the 50th teaching anniversary of his mentor, Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero, and reflects upon the Hawaiian Renaissance that shaped a generation of cultural practitioners. In the spirit of aloha, Kumu Veto also describes his friendship with Pono Shim and how Pono became the Kahu of Halau I Ka Wekiu. As a businessman himself, we also dive into the intersection of culture and business as well as his hopes for a thriving Hawaii in which kamaaina have the opportunity to come home and give back to their communities. And of course, this episode would be remiss if we didnʻt get an exciting glimpse into the Halau's 2025 Merrie Monarch performances. Join us for a celebration of hula as a way of life. Mahalo for tuning in! Episode Highlights 0:22 Introduction to Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker 1:08 Preparing for Merrie Monarch 2025 2:15 Seeing students rise to the occasion 3:47 "Hula is life" 5:11 Celebrating Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero's 50th year of teaching 6:55 Holding on to our culture, the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s 10:19 Moderation leads to abundance 11:09 Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai 14:12 Uplifting hula, sharing love with audiences 17:02 Drawing an audience in, transferable skills from hula to life 19:43 Bringing kamaaina back home to Hawaii 26:59 Friendship with Pono Shim 29:04 Pono becoming the Kahu for Halau I Ka Wekiu (2013) 32:36 Connections to students 36:45 Envisioning a thriving Hawaii 38:47 Navigating the translation space - speaking the language of the heart 39:19 Establishing a mortgage business 42:25 Bridging the gap between the corporate world and hula 43:39 The feeling of performing - bringing newness to the art 46:30 2025 performances: Reviving the saga of Halemano and Kamalalawalu 51:17 Peahi o Makana (written by Kumu Hula Devin Kamealoha Forrest) 52:50 From vision to final dance
In this special episode to celebrate the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival, we sit down with Kumu Hula, Karl Veto Baker, of Halau I Ka Wekiu for a heartfelt conversation that weaves together the art of hula and the spirit of aloha. Kumu Veto shares how his haumana prepare for Merrie Monarch and what it means to watch his dancers rise to the moment. He describes the 50th teaching anniversary of his mentor, Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero, and reflects upon the Hawaiian Renaissance that shaped a generation of cultural practitioners. In the spirit of aloha, Kumu Veto also describes his friendship with Pono Shim and how Pono became the Kahu of Halau I Ka Wekiu. As a businessman himself, we also dive into the intersection of culture and business as well as his hopes for a thriving Hawaii in which kamaaina have the opportunity to come home and give back to their communities. And of course, this episode would be remiss if we didnʻt get an exciting glimpse into the Halau's 2025 Merrie Monarch performances. Join us for a celebration of hula as a way of life. Mahalo for tuning in!
Episode Highlights
0:22 Introduction to Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker
1:08 Preparing for Merrie Monarch 2025
2:15 Seeing students rise to the occasion
3:47 "Hula is life"
5:11 Celebrating Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero's 50th year of teaching
6:55 Holding on to our culture, the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s
10:19 Moderation leads to abundance
11:09 Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai
14:12 Uplifting hula, sharing love with audiences
17:02 Drawing an audience in, transferable skills from hula to life
19:43 Bringing kamaaina back home to Hawaii
26:59 Friendship with Pono Shim
29:04 Pono becoming the Kahu for Halau I Ka Wekiu (2013)
32:36 Connections to students
36:45 Envisioning a thriving Hawaii
38:47 Navigating the translation space - speaking the language of the heart
39:19 Establishing a mortgage business
42:25 Bridging the gap between the corporate world and hula
43:39 The feeling of performing - bringing newness to the art
46:30 2025 performances: Reviving the saga of Halemano and Kamalalawalu
51:17 Peahi o Makana (written by Kumu Hula Devin Kamealoha Forrest)
52:50 From vision to final dance