Nā Hanana: Nowemapa a me Kekemapa (Events: November and December)

E o e Nā Pua o Kekoʻolani!  Ho'omaika'i e nā keiki, nā haumana, a me nā makua!  Mahalo a nui ʻoukou!

What a success hoʻike was, and I am so very proud of you all.  From all the help we received in set-up, to watching all our keiki play together and enjoy each otherʻs company, to watching them perform with smiles for the ʻohana -- Mahalo!  Makes me proud to say I am the kumu of this hālau, most definitely.  Even more so, I am proud to say I am part of this ʻohana.  Piha ʻopu - not full from eating (although I did eat quite a bit there :D), but full from happiness.  Thank you.

And so we continue on.  This month we have begun studies on Anahola, a small town on the east side of Kauaʻi and home to Kaleonahenahe and her dad, Kaiona. :) As she holds this homestead land near to her heart (and he to his), we will learn the mele, "Anahola"and enjoy a few stories about this special place.

We will continue to practice the ʻolelo (language) for Kahana Mālie, our hula kalaʻau, while our kaikamahine are beginning studies on Aloha Week Hula, another fun hapa haole mele.  We will also prepare for a new kahiko, Mele no Hilo Hanakahi, another Pumehana Silva original.

In December, we will only have two classes, Dec 3 and Dec 10 (1/2 tuition), one of those classes will be held at a beach location for photos and practice and the other will be held at the USO (pending) for hula videos and practice. I will give you a definite time/place for each by 11/15.  The beach practice will be a great way for them to practice within the elements, among nature, and provide the means to collect shells and learn more 'olelo.  As well, halau photos may be scheduled during this time.  I recommend white tops and red or white bottoms for this photo session, as well as a halau colored outfit (turquoise/white/green anything--casual is fine).  The video practice will simply allow us to go over what they have performed previously, what we can work on, and to see glimpses of Merrie Monarch and Keiki Hula back home in Hawaii.  It will serve as another hula sister/hula brother get together.