Junko Wong | Dog Eaters

Huge congratulations to Halau Napualikolokelai and Junko Wong as they win two 1st places, Wahine Solo Kahiko Kaori Kuwata and Wahine Group ‘Auana at Hula ‘oni E Japan. This qualifies them to compete in Honolulu August 31 – Sept 2, 2019!

It’s amazing what a win will do for a halau.

Napualikolokelani @ Kinshicho

Posted on 04.24.19 under george holokai, Halau Napualikolokelani, hula, Junko Wong, Uncategorized

The George Holokai Lei Aloha Festival is a celebration of the legacy of George Kananiokeakua Holokai & May Day. He was very active with the May Day celebrations in Hawai`i for many years.

May 1st is celebrated throughout the northern hemisphere as a spring festival and is
usually a public holiday however, in Hawai`i it is called Lei day. A celebration by wearing a fresh flower lei and music, dance a pageantry. Festivities include a lei queen and her court, lei contests and music, dances of many the ethnicities that make up Hawai`i’s melting pot.

There are classes conducted in the making of pahu drums, ipu heke `ole & ipu heke, pounding tapa, pa`i ai, cooking Hawaiian food and lei making. Artisans from Hawai`i who carve wood, making luahala bracelets, coconut hats. A guest can learn to hula, dance a Tahitian ori, learn to twirl Maori poi, or tititorea, a Samoan sasa. There is even a holoku parade.

Napualikolokelani, under the direction of Junko Wong, danced for 30 minutes.

Lei and flower master, Umahana sensei, whips a hair ornament together.

Kunewa Mook, kumu of Hula Halau O Kamuela dances.

KuMaiKa Hula Japan

Posted on 06.30.17 under Ahumanu, Haruno Terayama, Junko Wong

Halau Napualikolokelani, under the direction of Junko Wong. trained hard for this competition and Haruno Terayama took 1st place in the solo.

Preparation for the performance at the dress rehearsal.

And then she won!

The group danced auana and kahiko and came in 2nd to Seiko Okamoto’s halau, Na mamo O Kaleinani. I’m biased but I thought our girls were better!

Music for the auna solo and group was performed by Ahumanu: Liz Morales, Marja Lehua, and Kekai Robinson.

Haruno will go on to Maui to compete in the KuMaiKa Hula competition at the Maui Arts Culture Center on Sept 5, 2017. She’s going to have to work hard!

All Japan Hula Championships

Posted on 12.10.16 under Halau Napualikolokelani, hokulani holt, hula, Junko Wong

Junko’s halau, Hālau Nāpualikolokelani, danced two dances before the competition started. It was a “practice” for their upcoming competition in Ho’onanea Hula Competition and KuMaiKa Hula in 2017.

The judges from left: Kehaulani Kekua from Kauaʻi, Chinky Mahoe from O’ahu, Hōkūlani Holt from Maui. Hōkūlani Holt also served as Executive Director for this competition.