HURAITI MANA
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Gallery
  • Programs
    • Dance Classes
    • Performance
    • Fresh Flower Lei-Making
    • Workshop Series
    • Annual Fa'a'ori
  • Current Events
  • Contact

Kalei'okalani First Place 'Ori 'Ori Lympics 2021 'Aparima Competition

3/1/2021

 
Kalei'okalani, 'Urataetae Iti E

I will share this with you someday, my letter to you e tā'u Pēpe. Te 'ā'amu, o tō'u 'apa, 'apa mai na - o tō'u 'Ori. Mai te hōhonura'a o tō'u 'ā'au, mai roto mai i te a'a tūpuna. E pūpū atura te hau. No teie mehura ti'a. Te 'una'una o teie 'ori i 'uraai au!

my 9th competition piece since September, completing a total 7 competitions shared with tā'u Pēpe iti, my growing gift, a new body within my own. And my last competition piece for some time as we prepare to meet our love and to meet myself as a metua vahine.

I couldnt imagine a more fitting hīmene, then, as a parting piece in this chapter of my life: an homage to 'Urataetae Iti E. Atua vahine, patroness of my beloved cultural expression, communication, exchange, and life that has come from my 'ā'au, from the deep roots of my ancestors, where peace gathers within and about me, where it has time and again given me the strength I need to rise and stand firm, that which has long ignited the fires within me that continue to burn brightly.

I want to share with you the strength of women, of 'ori, of ancestors and passion. I want to share with you everything that has given me strength to carry myself across this great stage called life. and I want to learn everything I can from you Pēpe, from your wisdom and fires and divinity.

this is for you. Te Tahua nui e, is yours.

🏆1st place

māuruuru Ishan and 'Ori 'Ori Lympic for the aroha, the dedication and planning, the support and kindness. māuruuru Hinatea Colombani and Mevina Liufau for your 'ite & hīmene, your mana nui e singing to my ā'au & tino! māuruuru to Hinatea and Tahia Cambet for your feedback, workshops, wisdom, and care. māuruuru to all the vahine and tane that graced the stage, for all my Huraiti who have been with me on this journey of self discovery, challenge, and growth whom I will continue to support without end! this journey is only just the beginning.

'Urataetae Iti E, lyrics by Hinatea Colombani & music by Mevina Liufau

Beautiful 'ahu I'm wearing: Marisol Williams

Artist Talk with Five Oaks Museum | DISplace Exhibit

2/23/2021

 
Picture
Creating Hawaiian Futures Artist's Talk with Five Oaks Museum: Lehuauakea in conversation with Kalei'okalani Matsui and Kevin Matthew Kaunuali'i Kiesel
​

Thursday, February 25 at 6 pm PST

DISplace co-curator, artist and kapa-maker Lehuauakea will host a special conversation with digital artist Kevin Matthew Kaunuali’i Kiesel and lei maker and Hula teacher Kalei’okalani Matsui about creating Hawaiian futures in the Pacific Northwest. They will share about their artistic journeys, discuss ways of imagining and creating through a lens of Indigenous futurism, and consider what that means for Hawaiians on the mainland today.

DISplace Exhibit - Five Oaks Museum

11/13/2020

 
Picture
View the full exhibit now on display online at Five Oaks Museum!

Curator's Note

​We chose Matsui’s work because of her strong commitment to the Pasifika community and organizing here in the Pacific Northwest — one of the overarching themes of DISplace. Through her work with the Huraiti Mana Polynesian dance troupe, lei-making, and her work as a whole, Matsui’s dedication to keeping culture alive through authenticity and resilience is prevalent in her handiwork, language teaching, and building of community relationships. Leaders like Matsui and others are important pillars in the Pasifika network as we navigate the challenges of being away from our homelands.

Annual Fa'a'ori Cancelled

9/9/2020

 
To our fēti'i, our 'ohana, our family:

Our Fa'a'ori 2020 has been cancelled as we continue to monitor closely the effects of the pandemic across our communities. Awfully so, studies have shown that COVID19 infection rates are highest among Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian populations in Washington, Oregon, and California. While we are saddened by the cancellation of our event, we make the decision proudly and without doubt in order to best serve our people and our communities of Pacific Islanders and the greater Seattle area. 


Reminisce with us at last year's First Annual Fa'a'ori and the beautiful moments shared, the tears, the laughs, the 'ori 'ori! 

We continue, we remain resilient, we send our love. 

Huraiti Mana at 'Ori 'Ori Lympics

7/31/2020

 
Much mahalo to Hulala Living and 'Ori 'Ori Lympics for creating competition and community in a time when we thought we'd be left without both; a year full of what was at first full-stops and isolation has become a year of fulfilling change and collective connection (in many more ways than one!). We at Huraiti Mana have so gladly been a part of 'Ori 'Ori Lympic online and the very many workshops that have led us to learn and grow from the leaders in our 'Ori Community as well as reconnect with FÄ“ti'i around the world and our collective aroha for the 'Ori Tahiti. Truly, māuruuru to Hulala Living and judges Tahia Cambet of O Tahiti Nui and Hinatea Colombani of Ari'oi Cultural Center for your kindness, warmth & 'ite.
View this post on Instagram

Tumu Parau: mea here ri'i . . 'Ōte'a draft choreography First Round of @oriorilympic by @hulalaliving ! Recorded this at our now closed studio (COVID) and returned home realizing...you supposed to record portrait style! □□ . . re-recorded in the fare living room □ . . bumbye read next time! . . ua here vau ia tā'u tāne, my muse, my inspiration. . . □ @sefadrums !!! . . #herehere #oriorilympic #oritahitisolocompetition #faarapu #huraitimana #oritahiti #orilife #onlinedance #sefadrums

A post shared by Huraiti Mana (@huraitimana) on Jul 31, 2020 at 8:15am PDT

Dance Against Discrimination with Huraiti Mana - māuruuru

7/14/2020

 
Māuruuru again to all who joined in our fundraising efforts for Dance Against Discrimination with Huraiti Mana that took place July 13, 2020, virtually. So appreciative and honored to have shared space and time with all of you.

Together in our combined efforts of generosity and love have raised OVER $900 for Black Women's Blueprint! And donations were also made to The Okra Project. We almost doubled our original goal of $500! Manuia! May we continue, together, in serving our underrepresented, marginalized, and targeted communities. Huraiti Mana for Black Lives Matter. 

All who have joined us are welcomed as our 'ori sisters, 'ori brothers, 'ori siblings & fēti'i. For Huraiti Mana, once we dance together, we our 'ori family, always. Huraiti Mana welcomes you, thanks you, lifts our hands up to you. E fa'aitoito!

Centering:
A reminder of why we’re here. Source for Black Women’s Blueprint honoring Black Women lost to violence

WE CONTINUE TO SAY HER NAME
  • Tarika Wilson
  • Malissa Williams
  • Mya Hall
  • Aiyana Jones
  • Korryn Gaines
  • Riah Milton
  • Kathryn Johnston
  • Sandra Bland
  • Latandra Ellington
  • Joyce Curnell
  • Kendra James
  • Natasha McKenna
  • Amber Rose Issac
  • Rekia Boyd
  • Bettie Jones
  • Tiara Thomas
  • India Kager
  • Asian Roundtree
  • Keara Crowder
  • Yvette Smith
  • Tanisha Anderson
  • Kiki Fantroy
  • Kindra Chapman
  • Johana Medina Leon
  • Aniva Parker
  • Tamla Horsford
  • Kira Dixon Johnson
  • Meagan Hockaday
  • Shelly Frey
  • Oluwatoyin Salau
  • Yvette Smith
  • Iretha Lilly
  • Michelle Cusseaux
  • Alberta Spruill
  • Eleanor Bumpers
  • Atatiana Jefferson
  • Deborah Danner
  • Ralkina Jones
  • Nuwnah Laroche
  • Tanisha Anderson
  • Layleen Polanco
  • Pamela Turner
  • Latasha Harlins
  • Tyisha Miller
  • Alexia Christian
  • Miriam Carey
  • Breonna Taylor
  • Veronica Woodard
  • Shiand Miller
  • Dominique Fells

May these women and too many more, rest in love, in peace, in eternal remembrance. May no further women ever suffer what these women have suffered. May no further young girls ever have to face the world with fear. May we end violence against Black women and girls, today, now, and forevermore. 

Open Enrollment Month!

6/28/2020

 
REGISTER
Open enrollment is upon us! Join us as we add additional class offerings, all online, and open to anyone interested in hula and 'Ori Tahiti. We invite everyone of all backgrounds and levels of experience to join the Huraiti Mana community with open enrollment beginning July 1, 2020. 🎉 Register today! 🎉
REGISTER
All classes are held online via the free ZOOM app. 

Mondays 6:30-7:30PM Tu'ura'a - Basics (all ages)
  • We welcome all levels of experience and background! This is a great class if you're beginning your journey with 'ori & hula, but will also be a perfect reminder and challenge for those with more experience as well.
  • You will learn and improve upon your basic forms and create a solid foundation in 'Ori Tahiti & Hula basic steps
  • You will be challenged to increase your physical strength.
  • There will be short choreographed combinations to apply our teachings with more movement

Wednesday 5:30-6:30PM Tama (5-11yrs)
  • Youth enjoy story-telling, language learning, and cultural lessons of Tahiti and Hawai'i through song, dance, games, and cultural exchange activities!
  • Youth will be challenged to learn, memorize, and embrace choreography, utilizing all of their basics, strength, stamina, knowledge, and expression  
  • Class builds on itself for completing choreographed numbers and lessons; consistent attendance is expected for the most fulfilling experience

Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Pa'ari (12+yrs)
  • This class introduces beginner choreography in both 'ori Tahiti & hula as well as cultural story-telling, language, history and context
  • Dancers will be challenged to learn, memorize, and embrace lengthy choreography, utilizing all of their basics, strength, stamina, knowledge, and expression  
  • Class builds on itself for completing choreographed numbers and lessons; consistent attendance is expected for the most fulfilling experience

Friday 6:00 - 7:00PM Itoito - 'Ori Tahiti Solo Choreo & Freestyle (All Ages)
  • This class is open to dancers who are interested in learning how to create improvisational AND choreographed 'Ori Tahiti solos!
  • Competition is not required

Our classes are very welcoming as a place of passionate work, much laughter, and shared stories. Come every Wednesday and give yourself time to learn the basic steps, our practice routine, and the language. E ha'amana ma'atou!

Questions? Email huraitimana@gmail.com

Virtual Northwest Folklife 2020

5/28/2020

 
Picture
Northwest Folklife 2020 went virtual, as so many gatherings have this year, providing opportunity for artists of the Pacific Northwest to share out anything they wanted - a workshop, choreography, story-telling, their laughter and knowledge, their passion and expression - on a virtual stage. A special māuruuru to the community folks who so kindly and so generously donated to Huraiti Mana! Your donations go toward cultural learning opportunities for our students such as attending workshops with other professionals and travel fees, as well as competition registration fees and more! 

Mo'olelo Moment with 'Anakē Kalei

5/21/2020

 
How Māui Captured the Sun
.
In old Hawai'i, the nights were long, and the days were short. Days were so short, that fruit did not have time to ripen and the kapa clothing did not have enough time to dry. Led by the fierce women in his family, Polynesia's favorite demigod, Māui, embarks on a journey to slow the sun's descent across the Hawaiian sky. Join 'Anakē Kalei of Huraiti Mana along with Story Time @winglukemuseum as she shares with us her performance rendition of, "How Māui Captured the Sun."
.
Enjoy this mo'olelo and more in young toddler board book editions distributed by Bess Press. These board books are available as gift sets at the Wing Luke Museum online Marketplace. Sold while supplies last. Email marketplace@wingluke.org for more detail. For more stories and dance by 'Anakē Kalei, check @huraitimana IG videos!

Ka Lei Online Challenge Winner

4/14/2020

 
View this post on Instagram

I raro I te Tumunu by Kura Happ & Tekura Ruaporo sung by Kalei'okalani #huraitimana #hīmene #hei #kuilei @thematsuiohana

A post shared by Huraiti Mana (@huraitimana) on Apr 9, 2020 at 1:48pm PDT

Picture
Beloved leader, guardian, and creator for much of the beautiful 'ahu (dress) you see in the states, Auntie Mel of California Hula Center motivated creation and creativity during the first few months of a nationwide and worldwide quarantine by launching a weekly online craft competition! This week, a challenge to create a lei in honor of all those who were graduating in the class of 2020! I created a triple-decker lei kui pololei style lei ʻāʻī for the neck and a lei kui poepoe style for the lei po'o (head); both using beautifully fragrant northwest hyacinth - reminiscent, to me, of the beautiful Hawai'i puakenikeni lei. Mahalo nui e Auntie Mel! You continue to inspire, uplift, and bless. 
<<Previous
    CONTACT
    huraitimana@gmail.com
    ​Seattle, Washington

    CATEGORIES

    All
    Competition
    Events
    Hosted Workshop Series
    News
    Performance
    Workshops

    ARCHIVES

    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015

    RSS Feed

    Organizations we love

    • 4 Culture
    • 4 Days of Aloha
    • 21 Progress
    • API Chaya
    • API Heritage Month Celebration
    • Arts Corps
    • Chief Seattle Club
    • Duwamish River Festival
    • Duwamish Tribe
    • Families of Color Seattle
    • International Community Health Services
    • ​International Examiner​
    • ​Jubilation Foundation​
    • Live Aloha Festival
    • Northwest Folklife
    • Rainier Beach BAAMFest
    • Seattle Asian American Film Festival
    • Seattle Children's Festival
    • Seattle Poi Company 
    • Sharon H. Chang
    • ​The Meridian School
    • UTOPIA
    • ​Wing Luke Museum
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Gallery
  • Programs
    • Dance Classes
    • Performance
    • Fresh Flower Lei-Making
    • Workshop Series
    • Annual Fa'a'ori
  • Current Events
  • Contact