Halau Napualikolokelani | Dog Eaters

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Haruno willl be competing at Hula O Na Keiki

Posted on 11.09.15 under Halau Napualikolokelani, Haruno Terayama, hula, Junko Wong

At the Kaanapali Beach hotel, from Nov 13 -15.

Still a few days away…

Haruno facetimes and takes selfies at Narita Airport.

Boarding HA364 in Honolulu, headed for OGG. (Kahului)

Practice, practice, practice…

Preparation for Hula o na Keiki

Posted on 10.16.15 under Halau Napualikolokelani, hula

We were in search of the red clay, alaea, to dye cloth. It took us to Awalau Farms in Haiku. They have an annual Halloweenish event, so we were greeted with these signs.

It’s the Haunted Haiku Hike. With an exclamation mark.

This is the yurt where the dried alaea is weighed and bagged.

Alaea is pretty expensive because it is used as a clay mask beauty treatment in spas in the Wailea resorts. We were told we could dig for free, but we also bought some out of courtesy.

“Her hands were red. But not with blood. With alaea…

The final product.

Fund raiser for Haruno @ Nogata

Posted on 09.26.15 under Halau Napualikolokelani

Haruno is going to Maui in November to compete in the Hula o na Keiki in Kaanapali. We’re raising money for her to go.

At practice a couple of days before the performance. Haruno has two solos she must dance at the competition.

The entire halau danced at the hoike, the keikis were predictably as cute as you would think.

Yes, it’s a backbend with meaning and intention!

Making that skirt fly!

After the show at Nogata Kumin Hall. It was almost perfect!

Jonah Molina from Maui and Kamehameha Schools teaches papa ukulele to the keikis. The keikis improvement is incredible!

They make a pretty face for the camera.

This one is a little better.

It was a full house. These are the lingering admirers. Notice Jeffrey Fulvimari?

Under the direction of Junko Wong!

Big step up

Posted on 02.28.15 under Halau Napualikolokelani, hokulani holt, Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition Japan

For Halau Napualikolokelani as they place 4th in the Lili’uokalani Keiki Hula Competition Japan!

Under the direction of Junko Wong Sensei with master guidance from Kumu Hokulani Holt.

Congratulations to Mayuri!

Hula Lehua @ Roppongi Hills

Posted on 06.22.14 under Halau Napualikolokelani, hula, miss hula hawaii

The Hula Lehua Competition has been held at Roppongi Hills, a high-end shopping/culture center since its inception.

This year was different from last year for Halau Napualikolokelani When Ebi (Keiko Iwai) won the Miss Hula Hawaii contest (2013). For one thing, the name changed to Hula Lehua. For another, photography and video was prohibited.

And in 2013, Ebi won a trip to Honolulu and modeled for the Hula Lehua fashion catalog.

This year Halau Napualikolani had two entries, Girls Solo and Wahine Solo. Both Haruno and Kaori had great performances, the best in their categories, but they both finished 2nd. As you can see, they are very happy with the results and that speaks to their character and what they want to get out of a hula competition. They both understand that this is a journey, not an end in itself.

When a decision depends on a judgement, there are no guarantees that the best performance will win. The judges may be looking for other things. There may be agendas… But that’s a conspiracy theory for another time and place ; )

There was one minute and thirty seconds for rehearsal.

This year the competition was a bit unorganized as the entire staff from 2013 quit. Dresses were still be altered the day of the competition. Scheduling was last minute and changing.

But hey, we entered and 2nd place isn’t bad. We’ll take it.