hula | Dog Eaters

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.

konohia morales

Posted on 01.25.15 under hula, Uncategorized

Recording “Ka’ahumanu” for Mayuri’s solo, representing Napualiko at the Japan Lili`uokalani Hula Contest (for children) in February.

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.

Halau Napualikolokelani is under the direction of Sensei Junko Wong and advised by Kumu Hula Hokulani Holt.

Ebi has her photo shoot

Posted on 12.04.13 under hula

One of the prizes/commitments/ordeals for Ebi (winner of the Miss Hula Hawaii at Roppongi Hills) is that she model for the Hula Lehua catalog.

She’s quite lovely. And though she’s wearing a wedding dress, still single… Inquiries fielded here!