Super Moms are JEMs of the World
Happy Mother's Day to all our SUPER MOMS!
Waikiki's Lost JEM - Kodak Hula Show
The Kodak Hula Show was a Hawaiian tradition since 1937. The fabulous outdoor show is a historical look at the islands through the beauty of the hula performed by Hawaiian resident dancers. More than 17 million visitors have seen this show over the past 62 years. In 1999, he Hogan Family Foundation rescued the show after Kodak pulled its sponsorship. But foundation spokesman Gary Hogan said uncertainties in the tourism market make the $400,000 annual expenditure too big. No new sponsors have come forward to support the dance institution. Here, the troupe celebrated the Kodak Hula Show's 60th anniversary in 1997. Unfortunately, the free show ended it's performances in Sept 2002.
The show would open with a short kahiko segment, then they enjoyed the sweet sounds of beautiful Hawaiian music by our lovely na kupuna wahine, then they were entertained by our beautiful hula maidens dancing 'auana in lovely long train holoku, Then more hula dancing by ladies in green ti leave skirts and men in long slacks, aloha shirts and silk sash to contemporary Hawaiian music, then there was Tahitian dancing, then of course there would be that traditionally known photo opportunity of dancers holding the Hawaii sign, then we would welcome the audience to the stage to learn a short hula dance, and then we would end the show with the finally of all our entertainers on stage to say “Aloha”.
This is the traditional photo poses of the show and I am the tall one in the middle.
A Big JEM - The Hawaiian Superman
"Bruddah Iz" was a beloved figure in Hawaiian music during the 1990s. His pure, light tenor was as famous as his sumo-sized physique; at one point he weighed over 750 pounds. Kamakawiwo'ole co-founded the popular musical group the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau with his brother Skippy, who died of a heart attack in 1982. Israel began a solo career in 1993, and his 1996 album 'N Dis Life won Hawaiian music awards for album of the year, island contemporary album of the year and best male vocalist. Kamakawiwo'ole's popularity in Hawaii was such that after his death, his body lay in the state capitol building.
Iz pasted in 1997, I remember the day of his funeral so clearly. I lived in Waianae at that time and his ashes was taken to be spread at Makaha Beach on Hawaii's famous canoe the Hokule'a. I along with my family and many people of the community watched many huge trucks and cars parade through the town on Kamehameha Hwy his honor on their way to Makaha Beach. It was an awesome sight. The town was filled with aloha and excitement. Iz brought our people together in love through his amazing sound of music. He was known as "The Hawaiian Superman" and will be greatly missed, but his music and legacy will live on forever here in Hawaii and the nations. Mahalo Iz for sharing your aloha with us all.
My Biggest Mentor in Hawaiian Culture
Kumu Kawaikapuokalani Hewett influenced my life and taught me many Hawaiian culture values, knowledge and skills. I grew up dancing hula in his halau, "Kuhai halau `o Kawaikapuokalani pa `olapa kahiko" and it was a very big part of my life. Kumu Kawaikapuokalani is one of the most respected kumu hula (hula instructors), haku mele (song writers), performers, and advocates of Hawaiian language and culture.
Dancing with Kumu during my childhood & young adult time was quite awesome. His kahiko style is very powerful, strong, poise and striking. He taught me a lot about my Hawaiian culture and how important it is to not only preserve it but also share it with the world. Now Kumu is retired from the halau but continues to teach ‘uniki classes, workshops, and conferences to those who are willing to learn. He is still perpetuating and sharing his passion of hula to the world. He travels to multiple areas of the world to share and teach hula. Places such as our nieghbor Hawaiian Islands, Japan, California, Nevada, Washington, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Russia and much more.I envy this man, he inspires me to continue dancing and sharing this art of hula and its values with my community and the world. Maybe one day I can touch and inspire people the way he does or at least a percentage of what he does. Mahalo Kumu Kawaikapuokalani for teaching and sharing with me your knowledge, wisdom, skills, talent and love. He is a true gem “JEM” of Hawaii.
Virtual Hawaiian Culture Program - KS Distance Learning
Kamehameha School Distance learning encompasses all technologies and supports the pursuit of life long learning for all. Distance learning is used in all areas of education including pre-K through grade 12, higher education, home school education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, and telemedicine. See more.....
Kumu Kahealani (A beautiful JEM in Hawaii)
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Kumu Mary Kahealani Kupau-Mikaele was born, raised and still reside in Waiahole, Hawaii on the island of O’ahu, to Oliver Kupau Jr. and Janet Kupau. She is the youngest of 8 children. Attended windward schools – from Waiahole Elementary to King Intermediate to Castle High School and Windward Community College. She is now married to Stanley Mikaele and a mother of 3 children (2 boys & 1 girl).
Mary always had a passion for the art of hula and the determine to perpetuate her Hawaiian culture. In 1979,at the age of 12 she started dancing hula with Kuhai Halau o Kawaikapuokalani pa ‘olapa kahiko, under the direction of Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Mary is remembered by many as one of four original hula dancers that performed Kawaikapuokalani’s famous song, “Aerobasize”. Her biggest fan was her dad, who supported her every move in hula and love to watch Mary light up with joy, happiness and pride every time she danced.
Full story at: www.kuhaihalauokahealani.net
Kala'au implement - Hula Retreat
The ladies of “Kuhai Halau ‘o Kahealani Pa ‘Olapa Kahiko” are working hard making their Kala'au sticks at their hula retreat. Kala'au is used as implements during hula dances. When struck together by dancers these sticks make a powerful sound and combination with the hula motions of the dancer their dance can be very strikingly captivating.A kala'au is made out of different types of wood, guava, hau, mango, koa and more. The most commonly used wood is guava wood. The strong and straight branches are used to make this implement. These trees are normally found in green moist areas such as the forest of the mountains, which we Hawaiians call “mauka”. “E hele i ka mauka kakou”, let’s go to the mountain. Customarily, hula dancers will travel to the forest to gather their wood to make their kala’au. They will pick their own branch, cut it down, and return home or hula school “halau”. Once return the branch or bark must be stripped and clean within two days. The sooner that happens the easier it is because the older it gets the drier the bark gets and it can be more difficult to strip when its dry. It is believed that when a hula dancer participates in the process of search and hard work, that kala’au becomes part of their soul. When they dance with that implement there is a deeper meaning to that hula dance.I was 12 years old when I made my first kala’au and my hula teacher, “kumu”, took our hula school, “halau” up mountain to pick guava branches for our kala’au. It was a life learning experience that I will never forget. Fortunately, I am in a position as a kumu hula to pass on that experience to my students. At our recent hula retreat the students learned how to make and use their kala’au. They learned a new “kahiko” ancient dance, which they will be performing at our next annual event, Ho’okupu Aloha. For more information on that event check out our website, www.kuhaihalauokahealani.net .
By: Maxine Aulelava
Hanabadah Days
Born and raised in Hawaii I feel very fortunate to be a local girl living in what the world calls “Paradise”. Hawaii has many beautiful locations and I grew up in an area where it’s always lush, green and peaceful. Kahalu’u is located on the windward side of O’ahu. I could see the majestic Ko’olau range every day and on rainy days my siblings and I enjoyed watching the waterfalls cascading down the mountain so striking and strong. Hawaii is a very special to me.
We would walk to the nearest river and spend many hours swimming, fishing and having fun. During my childhood days during the 70’s and 80’s our rivers were full of fresh mountain water that came straight from the Ko’olau Mountains. Taro “kalo” patches had more then enough to sustain its growth and supply our people with an abundant amount of poi which is the main staple of the Hawaiian people. The river’s flow would continue down stream to provide nourishment to our fish ponds where the opai shrimp and fish reproduced.
Never during that time did I think that one day there may not be fresh water to play in or for that matter use for farming and agriculture. During the mid 1990’s an overwhelming amount of water from windward O’ahu was diverted to the leeward areas to support a growing agricultural and farm industry and the vast population. . Typically, the climate on the leeward side is hot and dry, and the land is vast. Businesses had purchased and leased properties and needed water to sustain their operation. Water and land is imperative in Hawaii and it goes hand in hand with each other. Therefore, water is necessary but should be used wisely for survival and not wasted on elaborate water fountains, man made ponds, golf courses and purely cosmetic purpose.
Many locals believe the windward waters can supply a sufficient amount of water throughout the island, but the diversion has rerouted over 70%. As a result, the loss of water caused windward rivers and streams to dry up and has destroyed numerous taro patches and fishponds. For more on this topic check out a book titled “Sugar Water: Hawaii's Plantation Ditches" by Carol Wilcox” or search online for “Waiahole water diversion”.
As an adult, it’s disappointing that today’s generation can not enjoy the same experience I enjoyed during my childhood or what we locals call, "Hanabadah days". I will forever cherish those fun and youthful memories of splashing innocently in the fresh water streams and catching deliciously “ono” shrimp and fish. I hope that our keike have the same privilege of creating their own memories frolicking in Hawaii’s fresh water streams.
By: Maxine Aulelava
maxine aulelava
My Google Profile
IT Coordinator during the day, Technology Socialist by night. I enjoy dabbling with computers hardware and software. Although technology is constantly evolving each day, I try to keep up with the latest technology fad. My current passion is pursuing a social media career. I am an online network fanatic and enjoy doing the latest trend.
I am also a life long hula dancer and hula teacher, Kumu hula. My hula sister and I teach the young women of "Kuhai halau 'o Kahealani pa 'olapa kahiko" located at Kualoa Ranch on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii. For more info on our halau check out our site: www.kuhaihalauokahealani.net
