 Eō. We are living - and dancing - in tumultuous times. As Pupu 'Ori close across the nation (and world no doubt), Huraiti Mana will also be closing its studio doors in unprecedented efforts toward safety and health, now thru the end of March 2020. However, we encourage everyone to remain active, sociable, and healthy in every way possible. Following suit like our 'ori sister Teva Oriata and many more, we will be offering live streaming classes! At Huraiti Mana, we practice Eō: a call and, "yes, I am present." But in what ways are we present? Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And what does this mean? Ask our tamari'i, our keiki, and they will say: our body is here; our mind is focused; we bring our positive vibes into this space; and our ancestors - all those we represent, all those we know, all those we've never met, and all those that practiced in what we are fortunate to practice today because of them - their spirits enter into this space. This is Eō. Huraiti Mana's community is here, regardless of where "here" is. We share much more than dance, and we will continue to do so wherever we are. WE are Huraiti Mana. Eō!
 Chihuly Garden & Glass celebrated the arts with "It All Starts with Art" program on Saturday, February 29, 2020 with invited organizations including Urban Artworks, Youth in Focus, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Vera Project, and so much more. As a part of Seattle Center Festál, Huraiti Mana was also invited to perform hula and 'ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance) beneath beautiful glass sculptures in the heart of the museum. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to experience this museum in such a special way, showcasing a diversity of arts offered and welcoming communities active in Seattle. A special mahalo and congratulations to Hilary and Sherrie of Chihuly Garden & Glass and Steve and Vivian of Seattle Center Festál for such incredible coordination of a successful and warm event. Mahalo nui for your warmth and aloha. A hui hou! Until next time!
  We were so fortunate and blessed to be able to celebrate the launch party of the Pacific Islander Health Board of Washington! Led by amazing Pacific Islanders, in true indigenous fashion, they celebrated with 'ono food, talking story, delicious fruit drinks by Otai Kingdom, the must-have Electric Boogie, and performances by the University of Washington's Polynesian Student Alliance and, your own, Huraiti Mana! We always enjoy sharing what we can of 'Ōlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language), Hula, 'Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance), and Reo Tahiti (Tahitian language) across Seattle and more -- but it is truly special to be able to share with our Pacific Islander communities. We had a fantastic time connecting and reconnecting with the leaders in our community of all ages, sharing laughs and excitement for what the future holds for our islander 'ohana here in Wakinekona, Washington. Māuruuru roa to Lika, Toka, Lynette, Taffy and all at U.T.O.P.I.A. for all of the beautiful work you do for our 'ohana, our feti'i, our families.
We had an incredible time hosting our dear friend from Tahiti, master Hirohiti Tematahotoa as a part of Huraiti Mana's Workshop Series! Hiro worked tirelessly with a never-fading smile through an entire weekend of non-stop 'ori! We welcomed dancers from across Washington including Renton, Whidbey Island, Seattle, Everett, and even some from Cali! To all our PNW 'ori sisters and feti'i, we thank you for sharing your time with us in our studio, supporting our goals to continue connecting with each other and contributing what we can to the amazing Polynesian Community here. We extend a sincerest māuruuru to Hiro for sharing his incredible wealth of knowledge and passion of his people, his culture, his language, and dance. Hiro is so full of life, never-ending creativity, and contagious laughter. We are so fortunate that he was able to make a visit to Seattle in his long journey across the world this year. Hiro, you are welcome back in our homes any time!
Keep an eye out for our next workshops coming up at the end of May! If you'd like to hear first about our workshops, please email us at huraitimana@gmail.com.  Ra'atira Kalei'okalani and Pūpahu Katie perform hula with the Seattle Aquarium's After-Hours celebration launching Hawai'i Weekend. "We should not be defined by the smallness of our islands, but by the greatness of our oceans.We are the sea; we are the ocean. Oceania is us." -Epeli Hau’ofa
Mahalo to Tongan and Fijian anthropologist and writer Epeli Hau'ofa for his words of wisdom about who is defined by and who defines Oceania. The Pacific Ocean is the largest in the world, and our peoples navigated it in its entirety, populating all the many islands our peoples call home. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Seattle Aquarium, sharing about the sea life of Hawai'i's waters and our people's intrinsic relationship to ka moana. We began the Hawai'i Weekend celebration with sharing our favorite mele 'auana at the Seattle Aquarium after-hours party and then moved into the weekend with storytelling and kamali'i (youth) hula workshops. Keiki shared of the meaning of the aloha spirit and how hula is not a representation of a story but rather that it is the story itself - your kino becomes the elemental vessel of Hawai'i. How special for us to have this opportunity to dance hula of home, share about home, and connect to our home, right here in our second home in the Pacific Northwest, right here in Seattle. No matter where we are, we always keep one foot always on the sand.  Huraiti Mana is returning for another year at the Seattle Aquarium Hawai'i Weekend! We are so excited to be a part of this local focus on Hawai'i's waters and life. The weekend begins early with a 21+ After-Hours Beach Party for Aquarium members and goes into the long Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King JR weekend. All throughout Huraiti Mana will be sharing in performance, story telling, and hula workshop to bring to the forefront the histories and legacy of the Pacific.
"We should not be defined by the smallness of our islands, but by the greatness of our oceans.We are the sea; we are the ocean. Oceania is us." -Epeli Hau’ofa Mahalo to Tongan and Fijian anthropologist and writer Epeli Hau'ofa for his words of wisdom about who is defined by and who defines Oceania. The Pacific Ocean is the largest in the world, and our peoples navigated it in its entirety, populating all the many islands our peoples call home. Join us and the Seattle Aquarium as they discuss the sea life of Hawai'i's waters and invite Huraiti Mana to share our people's intrinsic relationship to ka moana. After-Hours Beach Party Thursday, January 16 | 6:30PM - 10PM Performances 7:40PM & 8:45PM 21+ only Hawai'i Weekend Saturday, January 18 - Monday, January 20 Performances: -Story Telling every day 11AM - 12PM -Hula Workshop every day 1:45PM - 2:45PM 
 I was so happy and blessed to be connected again with my 'ori sisters, bonded forever by our time together in Ma'ohi Nui of O'ahu and now each a Ra'atira of our own groups across the continental U.S.: Angie Jackman of Teva Oriata in Oregon, Agnes Manuma of Ali'itasi Productions in Utah, and myself Kalei'okalani Matsui of Huraiti Mana in Seattle. I was last reunited with my past leader and Ra'atira Agnes competing together at Ori Fest back in March. Now, over the long November Veteran's Day weekend, Teva Oriata hosted Agnes Manumā and her husband Matt Manumā (my 'ori brother!) as they lead private one-on-one classes and group classes in drumming, Siva Samoa, and 'Ori Tahiti.
Each Ra'atira, my 'ori sisters, also shared wisdom & advice regarding their struggles and successes in each leading her own group. With us each step of the way, our loving ipo, our sweethearts, and our most dedicated dancers. We are here, growing our communities, giving everything we can to a lifelong journey of cultural learning and sharing. The mana was strong with us all together in Teva Oriata's beautiful studio. Huraiti Mana is excited for opportunities to host Teva Oriata and Ali'itasi Productions coming in 2020 - stay tuned to hear more! A sincerest māuruuru to Agnes Manumā for her amazing skill and knowledge -- I owe my dance style and strength to her. Māuruuru to my 'ori sister Angie for inviting Huraiti Mana to Oregon, opening up her home and studio to us, giving her wisdom and growing our community immensely. We will all see each other again, soon! E haere mua!  Our Huraiti joined an 'Ori Tahiti workshop with Leloani of Te Aho Nui. Based in California, Leolani visits Seattle annually to share in an 'Ori Tahiti workshop with the many Pupu 'Ori across Washington. We were so happy and fortunate to be able to participate this year and can't wait for more opportunities in 2020! Also, keep watch as Huraiti Mana will for the first time be hosting 'Ori Tahiti workshops throughout 2020. More posts to come, soon!
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