Huaka'i a Oahu Hawai'i 2011

MAHALO NUI LOA to all of you supporters and well wishers for our 3+ year old Huaka'i a Hawai'i . . . They held on to the vision of connecting with their hula, their siva, their meke, their haka. That connection needed to made on an intimate level, a level that could only be experienced firsthand.
We were not there to compete . . . Our cause to connect was accomplished physically and spiritually. Friendships strengthened and teamwork heightened as only a halau can, as only haumana can: to eat together, to work together, to get reprimanded together (lol), to understand nature and its beauties together, to practice hula together. I had to choose from almost 1,000 pictures to share in this forum ... hope you enjoy and again... Thank you for giving us such a beautiful week! the lady chaperones minus Aunty Tina Piilani, Lainie and Kira (lol)...
The men chaperones (bless their hearts) minus Uncle Ron ...

Hale O Napokahu was a blessing.

Hukilau Beach was literally, our backyard. Day one's breakfast: Samoan koko alaisa (Samoan cocoa rice), Samoan bread, Masi Samoa and bananas from the plantation.Day One was ended with a few of us at the LDS temple in Laie, either doing a session or touring the grounds ... Day Two was spent on the North Side of the island, starting with a special tour of Waimea Valley Botanical Garden. This tour is unprecedented in nature as Waimea is still in process of bringing hula back into the valley. Our humble expert, Buddy, represented our group with an oli chant for permission to enter the valley as protocol requires a halau to do so. Nature responded.
Without any exaggeration, nature responded and a connection was made. Our children heard and felt the stories behind each plant, behind each preserved habitat, behind each endangered phyla/species, behind each sacred spot. Its scientific place in the eco-system supported each story as well. We were blessed to experience all of this over 4 hour period of time. Each night ended with music and prayer ... visiting our hale to bless us with their musical talents, Josh Moea'i and the Siaosi's (Uiti, Lehua and Pono)

Still raising money :)

MAHALO, WINGER'S on Tacoma Mall Blvd for letting us come back on Saturday, March 19th and TAKE OVER the restaurant to raise some more money for our Huaka'i Hawaii this August! Energy was high, the kids were bussing tables, moms and unko don were washing dishes ... a well-oiled machine, I tell ya! The girls danced on the 15's: 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, ... with so much support from teachers, coworkers, bus drivers, neighbors, family and friends. Thank you Thank you Thank you from the bottom of our sore feet to the top of our heads...

We have one more take-over to go so please, help us spread the word :)

Heimana's Last Restaurant TAKE OVER

at WINGER'S
on Tacoma Mall Blvd.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Let them know we sent ya :)

Eat well!

Feed the Hula Tip Bucket
Bring everyone you know!
The kids dance on the 15's ... so bring your cheering section too :)

One of the primary purposes of this group is to expose our students to culturally vibrant performances at low and no cost. When the opportunity to attend a performance by Living Legends came up, we found it fitting to sponsor our current students in attending a show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia on Thursday, February 3, 2011. The students of BYU Provo set a high performance standard in an authentic presentation that ties the Polynesian culture to that of our Latin and Native American brothers and sisters. With 30+ of our group in attendance, we look forward to the experience and to reporting its influence on our performances this year. My hopes are that my students look to furthering their education in the well-rounded way Living Legends dancers are.

A hui ho!