The “Ka Hula Hou” Experience

By: Jennifer Voight

On Saturday, February 16, several members from our halau traveled to Centennial Hall in Hayward for the first-ever Ka Hula Hou: Pride on the Line. Presented by MKH Productions in conjunction with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts, this was the first-of-its-kind challenge, featuring kane (male) dancers in a “no holds barred” hula competition judged only by the screams and applause of the audience. The competition took place in a setting similar, but much smaller, to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii, with a square stage in the middle and seating all around. The format was simple – four

halaus would compete in rounds, 1 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 4, 1 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4, and 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3. The screams and applause were scored using a decibel meter and the top two halaus would compete in the final round for the championship title. Much different from the structure and traditional requirements of the Merrie Monarch, Ka Hula Hou allowed the halaus to choose their style and add the component of pure entertainment. The four competing halaus were:• Academy of Hawaiian Arts with Kumu Hula Mark Keali‘i Ho‘omalu (Oakland, CA)• Na Kane O Manawaiopuna with Kumu Hula Kamaile Hamada (Federal Way, WA)• Halau Na Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe with Kumu Hula Keoni Chang (Chino Hills, CA)• Halau Hula O Kawika Laua ‘O Leinani with Kumu Hula Kawika and Leinani Viloria (Diamond Bar, CA). Adding to the excitement was emcee “Mento Mele,” who is a popular Hawaiian radio personality and comedian. From her Hawaiian jokes to jokingly giving dollar bills to the dancers, she definitely added fun and laughter to the evening. Outside of the competition arena, there was shopping, pupus (finger foods), great Hawaiian raffle prizes, and a silent auction. The event was also a fundraiser for the Academy of Hawaiian Arts to compete in the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival happening in April. While none of us won any of the raffle prizes nor could afford the silent auction items, it was a treat to see implements and art by Mark Keali’I Ho’omalu. Of course, none of us could refuse window-shopping (and shopping!) at our favorite vendors, Escolta Fine Art Gallery and Sun Jose Hawai’I, and eating pupus during the three-hour event. Highlights of the evening’s competition included musical performances by “Mento Mele” and a hula by several kapunas in the Hawaiian world. What a motivating sight it was to see the 1st Miss Aloha Hula still dancing beautifully! The competition itself went across the range from kahiko numbers with ipus, ipu hekes, and olis to hula auanas morphing into hip-hop and the costumes were varied accordingly. Just as one halau would make hearts melt with their grace, the next halau would make us energized with their fierceness. The Academy of Hawaiian Arts won the inaugural competition with their “chicken” moves and made it clear why they are going to Merrie Monarch again. Leaving with Ka Hula Hou and AHA T-shirts and a few pairs of “thunder clappers”, we left with an excitement for what we saw and experienced and a motivation to dance even more than before. I personally ended the evening thinking, “I can’t wait for next year!”

HALAU 2008 PERFORMANCESSave the Dates

2008 Performance Opportunities:(as of March 3, 2008)

April 12 (Saturday), 7:30N. CA. Paetenians Intl. LuauThe Banquet, VallejoBy invitation only

April 12th & 19th (Saturday)American Christian Talent Search AuditionsApril 29th (Tuesday) American Christian Talent Search Show. Information: www.ByFaithProductions.net/coming_events.htm

April 18 (solo) & 19 (group) (Friday & Saturday)Vacaville Fiesta Days Talent Showwww.solanocountypageants.com

April 19-20 & 26-27 (various times) Dance Days Paramount’s Great Americawww.PGAThrills.comStatus: Booked Sunday, 4/27, 5-5:15 p.m.

May 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Saturday)Vacaville Cultural Diversity Fairwww.culturaldiversityfair.org

May 10-11, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday)May Day FestivalAlameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasantonwww.kumuhulaassociation.comkumuhulaassociation@gmail.com

May 17th (Saturday) “Stand and be Counted” Christian Music Festival &Armed Forces Day; Andrew’s Park, VV. This is a FREE event.www.ByFaithProductions.net/coming_events.html

May 24 (Saturday)Vacaville Fiesta Days Paradewww.fiestadays.com

May 24-26 (Saturday-Monday)Vacaville Fiesta Dayswww.fiestadays.com

July 9-13 (Wednesday-Saturday)Solano County Fairwww.scfair.com

August 2-3 (Saturday-Sunday)San Francisco Aloha Festivalwww.pica-org.orgwww.sanfranciscoalohafestival.orginfo@pica-org.org

August 15-September 1 (Friday-Monday, everyday)California State FairCal Expo, Sacramentowww.bigfun.org

August 16 & 17 (Saturday & Sunday)Fairfield’s Tomato Festival & West Coast BBQChampionshipDowntown Fairfieldwww.fairfielddowntown.com

SeptemberVacaville Kid FestAndrews Parkwww.vacavillekidfest.org

OctoberCelebration of DanceParamount’s Great Americawww.PGAThrills.com

October 11 (Saturday)Fairfield’s Candy FestivalDowntown Fairfieldwww.fairfielddowntown.com

DecemberVacaville’s Merriment on MainDowntown Vacavillewww.vacavillechamber.com

December 5 (Friday)Fairfield’s Holiday Night of LightsDowntown Fairfieldwww.fairfielddowntown.com

DecemberDiscovery KingdomVallejo, CAwww.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom

UPCOMING HAWAIIAN EVENTS

March 27, 2008 (Thursday) Cyril Pahinui and Patrick Landeza Little Fox Theatre, 2209 Broadway, Redwood City: 8:00 pm

March 27, 2008 (Thursday) - March 28, 2008 (Friday) Island Sol Productions presents “Island Irie Concert II” Featuring Katchafire with Special Guest DJ Nappy March 27 (Thursday) - DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh Street, San Francisco 10:00 pm March 28 (Friday) - Avalon Nightclub, 777 Lawrence Expressway, Santa Clara: 10:00 pm

April 13, 2008 (Sunday) Schola Cantorum presents “Hawaiian Overtures” With Hula Halau ‘O Pi‘ilani Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills: 4:00 pm

April 19, 2008 (Saturday) Raiatea Helm With Special Guests: Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakane and Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu Herbst Theatre, War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco: 7:30 pm

April 27, 2008 (Sunday) 15th Annual ‘Ukulele Festival of Northern California Hayward Adult School, 22100 Princeton Street, Hayward 10:30 am - 5:00 pm

Quote for the month:“Take a lesson from the hula dancer. Meet life with grace, and a smile on your face, and move in harmony with those around you.” (Jessica Lani Rich, KUMU radio)

Name: Annie Brown (my middle name is Nicole) How old are you?: 7 What brought you to the halau?: I wanted to learn how to dance hula so I could be a “hula dancer”. How long have you been dancing hula?: I started dancing when I was 4 years old. What are your hobbies?: I love to Hula and Tahitian Dance. I’ve also played Bobby Sox Softball for 2 years now. I love to go shopping. What do you do for fun?: I love to play video games and tag with my brother, Eric. I love to go shopping for clothes at “Justice for Girls”. I like to go to Disneyland and Maui with my family. I like to go to Virginia to visit my Aunt, Uncle and Cousins. I like to play with my best friend, Katy. I like to go for family bike rides. I like to go to “Kings” basketball games and “Giants” baseball games with my family. I like to perform hula and tahitian at different places. I like to tahitian dance in the Fiesta Days Talent Competition. What do you want to be when you grow up?: I’d like to be a Hula Teacher like Kelly. What would you like your halau family to know about you?: I go to Foxboro School. I’m in the second grade. I love collecting stuffed animals. I like bright colors. My favorite colors are pink, blue, and red. I really like jewelry. I love ice cream. My favorite flavor is “coffee”. My favorite place to eat is McDonald’s. I love to shop. I like to listen to my iPod. My favorite band is “The Naked Brothers Band”. My favorite TV shows are The Naked Brothers Band, iCarly, American Idol, and Survivor. When I dance hula and tahitian, that makes me happy. When I was 5, I got to dance the “Hukilau” with Lilo and Stitch at Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Restaurant. Every Friday night is our “Family Night”. We go to Burger King dinner and then Baskin Robbins for dessert. We’ve been doing this tradition since I was 2. Every Christmas we go to Disneyland, and every summer we go to Maui.

Getting To Know One Of Our Hula Sisters...

Hawaiian Grammy’s Perform at BordersBy Kelly Auwae-McAllister If you were early, you were lucky enough to get a seat and purple orchid lei from Hawai’i placed around your neck. When we arrived, it was a jammed packed audience with all the standing room already taken. A free Hawaiian event ... I should have known better and brought my own stool! Hula sister Carol Rosa did just that. While she found a good comfortable spot, some of us braved the crowd and found a spot between a few heads where we could kneel ... until the pain set in . The atmosphere was fun and lighthearted. Kanakapila style performances were given by Grammy winners: Cyril Pahinui, Keoki Kahumoku, Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere. Tia Carrere’s performance surprised me. When I had first heard her cd last year, I didn’t think much of it. But after hearing her sing that evening I went and purchased her cd. Her songs are all pretty mellow and her cd reminds me more of a baby lullaby type of album. The other artists lived up to their awesome reputations and kept everyone entertained with their upbeat fast ukulele strumming and picking. The “Meet and Greet” with the artists was quick and pleasant. We all stood in line with our cd’s in hand ready to be autographed and camera’s ready for a quick picture. We were pleasantly surprised with beautiful, glossy album posters which the artists personalized for each of us. I have to admit, I was a little excited to meet Tia Carrere. As an actress myself, I always enjoy the opportunity of meeting someone who’s made it to the”silver screen”! The thought of leaving without a picture of all of us with her made me NUTS, so we squeezed in behind her and took the shot! The evening came to an end at Mel’s Diner where we enjoyed a long overdue dinner and good conversation. Check out our Northern California Event Calendar on our website for upcoming, FREE performances at Borders.

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