{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabove-the-sides.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Faloha-aku-aloha-mai-with-karl-veto-baker-6PnTywdU","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai with Karl Veto Baker","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/98e3bd82-6cec-49d2-8573-04b3e21ccf14/c0f73c0e-f088-404f-84da-fed6f5f97fcb/above-20the-20sides-202025-20logo.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"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! \n\nEpisode Highlights\n0:22 Introduction to Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker\n1:08 Preparing for Merrie Monarch 2025\n2:15 Seeing students rise to the occasion\n3:47 \"Hula is life\"\n5:11 Celebrating Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero's 50th year of teaching\n6:55 Holding on to our culture, the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s\n10:19 Moderation leads to abundance\n11:09 Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai\n14:12 Uplifting hula, sharing love with audiences\n17:02 Drawing an audience in, transferable skills from hula to life\n 19:43 Bringing kamaaina back home to Hawaii\n26:59 Friendship with Pono Shim\n29:04 Pono becoming the Kahu for Halau I Ka Wekiu (2013) \n32:36 Connections to students\n36:45 Envisioning a thriving Hawaii \n38:47 Navigating the translation space - speaking the language of the heart\n39:19 Establishing a mortgage business\n42:25 Bridging the gap between the corporate world and hula\n43:39 The feeling of performing - bringing newness to the art\n46:30 2025 performances: Reviving the saga of Halemano and Kamalalawalu\n51:17 Peahi o Makana (written by Kumu Hula Devin Kamealoha Forrest)\n52:50 From vision to final dance"}