California Road Trip: July 21, 2013

George Na'ope Hula Festival Day 2: 'Auana (modern) Hula

 Another early call for hair and makeup.

 Not quite done yet.

 Meet "Betty," Cashel's hairpiece.

 Wearing dahlias and lokelani, the pink rose of Maui.

 Last-minute adjustments before taking the stage.

 Cashel performed beautifully in her song about Puamana, a much-loved family home in Lahaina, Maui.

George Na'ope Hula Festival - Puamana from orangewker on Vimeo.
Contact us for the password.

 She did her Kumu proud!

 With Popo, Peter, and Tai Tai.

  Another costume change, and it's back on stage with the Kaikamahine.  They're dancing about Waikaloa, a beautiful spot on the Hana coast of Maui.  They're also using 'ili 'ili, river stones that they click together in their hands (sort of like castanets).

George Na'ope Hula Festival - Waikaloa from orangewker on Vimeo.
   Again, contact us for the password.

 Another beautiful job, and another first-place win!

 Back in her solo costume for the awards ceremony, and showing her sweet, demure side.  Candy-dyed blue tongue just adds to the look.

 The ceremony started with an acknowledgment of all the Kumu and a chance to see them perform.

 In addition to winning first place in their division for their kahiko and 'auana dances, the girls won third place group overall (across all ages and genders).  All that hard work payed off! Overall, our Halau groups and soloists received nine awards for the competition, including six first places.  Congratulations to everyone!

 "Can I pleeeeese go to the pool now?"

Hula sistahs, relaxing.

California Road Trip: July 18, 2013 to July 20, 2013

Our trip started with a drive from Eugene to Sacramento for the George Na'ope Hula Festival.
 

We decorated the van for the road trip.  She seems pleased.

Really enjoying his rest stop lunch.

No trip to California is complete without some In-n-Out!

New hat from Popo

This year, Cashel competed as a soloist as well as dancing with her group.  As such, she had an interview with the judges the day before the festival officially started.  I think this face says, "Stop quizzing me - I'm ready!"

Hotel beds are the best.

Kaikamahine, ready for rehearsal.

All the keiki with Kumu.

Stage time for some blocking and rehearsal.

Festival day 1: Kahiko (ancient style) Hula

Cashel had an early morning call for hair and makeup for her solo.

She loved this part!

Wearing lei po'o and kupe'e, maile garland, crown flower lei (a flower favored by Queen Liliu'okalani), and a mom- and Cashel-made la'i skirt.

Cashel was the first dancer of the festival, and the youngest soloist competing.  She started with a welcoming chant, and then performed a dance about the beauty of Queen Liliu'okalani.

George Na'ope Hula Festival - Liliu'E from orangewker on Vimeo.  Please contact us if you'd like the password to view the video.

We are so proud of our brave and beautiful girl!  She worked hard and can feel very proud about how she represented herself and her halau.

Basking in the post-performance glow with Kumu.

We were so happy that Nanny and Popo were there to share the moment.

Posing with Auntie Akiko, her assistant teacher.

Sweetness in the ready room.

The group hula kahiko was about King David Kalakaua.  Our kaikamahine did a great job! 

George Na'ope Hula Festival - Kalakaua from orangewker on Vimeo.  Again, please contact us if you'd like the password to view the video.

The girls won first place for this dance.  We're so proud of them!

Tai Tai, Cashel's Great-Grandmother, was able to come from Hawai'i for the festival.  It was very special to share this time with her.  Tai Tai still dances herself, and is the reason Cashel got into hula.