Spirited Away

The Spirit of Aloha on stage ready to perform their school song

"Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian People."  - Kalakaua

For over 28 years Spirit of Aloha 'Ohana Hula have been perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through the dance Hula in Scarborough. On the year end recital the haumana (students) show their mana (spirit/vibe) and hard work through various meles (songs). This year's theme, Maui!

photo: c/o Spirit of Aloha O'hana Hula

Due to school commitments, I was unable to dance this year. However, the mana runs deep and I could not stay away. I wanted to support my hula sistas and asked my Kumu (Hula Teacher) to help out this year's Spirit of Aloha recital taking care of the Kamiki (translation a hawaiian guitar however the it's the level for the young beginner hula dancer). I was in charge of their make up, dressing them and getting them on stage.

Accompanied by chant (oli) or song (mele) Hula is a dance form developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The hula dramatizes or portrays the words of the oli or mele in a visual dance form. Mainly two types of Hula. The first is Kahiko or Ancient the second is is Auana or a modern type of hula. 

Hula is taught in schools or groups called hālau by a kumu hula - meaning source of knowledge.
Spirit of Aloha has been sharing their knowledge of Hula for over 20 years. Continuing pride and respect of the Hawaiian culture in the renowned art form in Scarborough.

A complex art form because there are many hand motions used to represent the words in the mele. Hand movements can represent aspects of nature, such as the swaying of a tree in the breeze or a wave in the ocean, or a feeling or emotion, such as fondness or yearning.

 Dress rehearsal pictures:

How many hula dancers does it take to wrap a kahiko costume?

Wahine (women) getting instructions from Kumu 

Practising in the school song

Olapa

 Pre-show time pictures:

Waiting for the Kamaikis at York U Sandra Faire Theatre selfie in my mom's crazy sunglasses

Olapa with their implments

In the dressing room stealing snacks from the keiki (kids/babies)

Gathering to pule (prayer chant) for good mana in their pretty kahiko costumes

Fixing each other

 Show time pictures!

Watching from the dressing rooms on screen

My class the mawaena in their pretty auana costumes and maile

Peeking view of the live band

Kumu Lily watches on

Girls fool around back stage between songs

Blurry pictures of the kamaiki going down the stairs after their first number on stage!

Waiting backsage

Performing their last number

The whole halau

Again because of lack of time, I was not able to take pictures of kit and individual pictures. No pictures of the babies because it's against our school policy.

If you want more information please visit Spirit of Aloha! http://www.spiritofaloha.ca/

A very long time ago

Mahalo plenty!

xo

dee