If you know me, you know that I was raised around the art of hula. I am only now, through the interest of my children, returning to the art that I love so dearly. I shared from my heart, over on the So Much More Hawaii blog a brief history of the origins of hula and photos of my family.
For more about Hawaii’s local traditions, values, and culture visit Hawaii Traditions.
The heavy rains and flooding of Kapiolani Park delayed the Makahiki Maori Festival by a day, but it didn’t dampen the spirits – not within the volunteers, performers, ‘ohana and I’ll even venture to say not of our late kupuna too. The last time I was in the audience for a performance at Kapiolani Bandstand was almost 20 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.
For years my Nanny’s halau would perform at Kapiolani Park bandstand the day after the Queen Lili’uokalani Keiki Hula Competition. It was a tradition I hold dear to my heart, especially since Lilinoe was one of the dancers on stage. Still groggy from a successful competition that was followed by evening performances on both the Independence or Constituion cruise ships and at the Pacific Beach hotel’s Kumu Lounge which is now part of the Oceanarium restaurant – the troops were committed to their perfomance. Just in case you’re thinking I was on the stage, I wasn’t – ever. I just loved my Nanny so much that I followed her everywhere I could and supported her gigs.
The Makahiki Maori Festival was Chelsea’s second public performance with Kuhai Halau ‘O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko – and it was powerful. The chant was about the famous warrior, Pekeku. Kumu Kahalepuna’s voice moves my soul – she was meant to tell the stories of our heritage. And, what made this performance even more meaningful is that half of my girls’ youth basketball team are also dancers. Enjoy the video in the right-hand sidebar. Imua!
Na Kumu John and Kahalepuna Richardson-Naki received an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to participate in in the 2009 London Parade and in turn invited the entire halau to make a commitment. Yes, I didn’t get it wrong they didn’t hand pick a select few, they first asked for a commitment.
“If you hear a different drummer — dreamer, take a chance . . . The road you choose to travel means the difference in the dance.”
Without hesitation, Lilinoe and I made the commitment on behalf of our family – we recognized the opportunity presented to us, and understand the work required to get there. The financial sacrifices, promptness to practices and performances, and learning the choreography are the basic commitments. Kumu Kahalepuna touched upon being physically and mentally healthy comparing a hula dancer to an athlete, and she spoke directly to my soul. No, I’m not a dancer, but as a supporter, I too need to be physically and mentally healthy. And, the entire process from the preparation to the performance in London will challenge the growth and depth of our spirits, our souls.
We’re committed to our path leading to London!
The Art of Hula has been a huge part of my life, especially my childhood but I am only now realizing that it’s a part of my soul. Lacking of any grace, unless on a basketball court, I took my first lesson several decades ago and it lasted 10-minutes. It wasn’t my thing to ‘uehe, ‘ami or slide; but the moments I spent sitting on a chair watching practices every Saturday for 8-hours of classes, followed by an evening of performances in Waikiki not to mention competition rehearsals during my breaks from school taught me to have a deep appreciation for the art of hula.
I am by no means an expert in the art, all I have are my memories and a tiny understanding. I am also connected to the art spiritually through my Nanny, Hu’i Park and Lilinoe through her great-grand Uncle master Kumu Hula Joseph Kahaulelio. My Nanny’s halau is still in existence through the efforts of my Mom’s youngest sister, my Auntie Pumps. However, my life journey has led me to another halau – Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko under the leadership and guidance of Kumu Hula Kahalepuna Richardson-Naki and her husband John Naki.
Our paths were reconnected through basketball, and now Chelsea is finding her own path in the art; Lilinoe has rediscovered her path; and Jayden too has taken an interest in the dance that is part of my soul.
From the Mind of NEENZ
