Johnny Lum Ho, dear Kumu Hula, has died at the age of 81

Johnny Lum Ho, Kumu Hula of Hilos Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua, died today, one of his students, a respected Kumu Hula confirmed. He was 81.

“Thank God I’m here in Hilo to see my kumu today and sing to him one last time,” Napua Greig, Kumu Hula of Maui’s Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka, posted on Facebook. “But most of all, I thank God my life was blessed by Uncle Johnny Lum Ho.”

Greig, who is also a Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning artist, said Lum Ho was “the first to see my potential as a solo artist and pushed me to sing when all I wanted to do was dance.”

Mark Yamanaka, who played in Lum Ho’s Halau band and, like Greig, is a multiple Hoku award winner and recording artist, said he felt “kind of numb” upon learning of Lum Ho’s death.

“I’m just kind of putting things into perspective,” Yamanaka told the Tribune-Herald. “I still don’t believe it, but I’m starting to recall the memories and I’m starting to feel a little emotional.”

Lum Ho, born in 1941, was known both as a creative kumu hula and as one who told the stories of Hawaii‘s everyday workers, not the Hawaiian royalty and legends that other kumu celebrated in their dances. He wrote almost all of the chants and songs that his Halau performs, in addition to creating the choreography.

He was also the unofficial Dean of the Merrie Monarch Kumu, and his death marks the end of an era as he was the last surviving kumu of the first Merrie Monarch competition in 1971.

Lum Ho’s last time on the competitive stage at the Merrie Monarch Festival was in 2018 when Greig became the overall winner. And although Lum Hos Halau had failed in her last competition under his direction, he reached out and congratulated his student on her victory.

“He called me after every Merrie Monarch to tell me how proud he was of me and that I was from his Halau,” Greig said.

While Lum Hos Halau won at least his share of hula hardware at Merrie Monarch, he told the Tribune-Herald in 2016 that impressing the jury wasn’t his primary goal.

“I’d rather please the crowd,” Lum Ho said. “You know why? You pay to come in. I just do what I feel like doing, and I just want my girls to prepare for it.”

On March 30, 2016, the Ho’ike night before the competition, Lum Ho survived a harrowing incident without a scratch.

A homeless man under the influence of methamphetamine stole a trailer truck from a grocer on Makaala Street and plowed through a closed warehouse gate.

The driver made his way to Pilipaa Street in the Panaewa district, clipped and severed a power pole, went off the road and crashed into a house. On the way, the truck collided with two vehicles, including one driven by Lum Ho.

Over the next three nights, the women of Lum Ho gave outstanding performances, winning the titles of Wahine Hula Kahiko (old hula), Wahine Hula ‘auana (modern hula), and Wahine Overall Champion of the Merrie Monarch.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele of Hilo Lum praised Ho for his “unique style of singing and dancing,” as well as “his passion for hula and his unmatched leadership as a respected kumu.”

“For years he and his Halau Hula O Ka Ua Kani Lehua graced the Merrie Monarch stage with creativity and unforgettable performances,” said Kahele. “Maria and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his ‘ohana and her loved ones. We are grateful for his significant contributions to Hawaiian culture and hula. His legacy will live on through the many lives he has touched.”

Yamanaka said he and his Halau brothers and sisters are confident their kumu is in a better place.

“Uncle Johnny is smiling because he is walking with Jesus,” Yamanaka said. “He preached the word and I know he couldn’t wait to be with the Lord.”

Email John Burnett at [email protected].