Hula Preservation Society

Inspired by Kumu Hula Nona Kapuailohiamanonokalani Desha Beamer (1923–2008), the non-profit Hula Preservation Society (HPS) was founded in 2000 to preserve and share the life experiences, knowledge, and insights of esteemed elders. Through its extensive video oral history work, HPS established a community-based archive that preserves these collective voices alongside photographs, documents, recordings, and other historical materials that tell the story of Hawaiʻi through the voices and experiences of its people and their enduring love of hula. Select resources—including oral history finding aids, transcripts, video clips, and educational materials—are available through HPS's collections website, Digital ʻUmeke. To learn more about the history and work of HPS, visit https://hulapreservation.org. Start your exploration using the guides below.