Kalei'okalani Overall 'Aparima Soloist - Te 'Ori Ora Competition 2021

Kalei'okalani, Hani by Eono

Māuruuru mai tō'u mafatu, mai tō'u ā'au to all at Te 'Ori Ora 2021 for creating such an incredible, immersive, connected experience that expanded nearly over an entire year of workshops, planning, and coordinating. I have grown so immensely in this time where the days are long but the years are short, and I am so very humbled.

my heartfelt thanks goes out to greatest of all, e tā'u Hani e tā'u here iti e tā'u tāne, Kitman. without whom nothing would be. to his cooking countless meals while I teach hours of classes; lifting me up whenever doubt, fear, or frustration set in; making sure I eat, drink, sleep, dance, teach, repeat; carrying our equipment and 'ahu for each show; rubbing down aching joints and muscles; designing our merch and reppin always; countless hours of conversations about my aspirations; countless more hours apart while I practice in solitude, in workshops, in competition mode, in tamari'i class; and always being there with open arms, a cup of fresh water, questions about how it went, and a look that says "I love you and I've missed you so" when I return; nourishing me mind heart body ā'au. this win was for you.

as I dance I give my all. my sacrifice, my love, my joy, my pain, my fears, my hopes, my dreams, my mana, my pride, my scars, my solidarity, my ancestry, my future, my heart, my all.

and he always gives even more.

dedicated to, my Hani.

Māuruuru to all who've provided a platform for me to offer my gratitude to so many with 'ori, with 'aparima. māuruuru for believing in me, for teaching me, for inspiring me, for dancing with me. Te 'Ori Ora competition, Isabel Perez, Hirohiti Tematahotoa, Tiana Liufau, Matatini Mou, Poemana, Moenau Rivera, Polylingual, Dance in Paradise, French Bee, Eono, all the dancers who graced the stage together, 'āmui, and of course all my Huraiti with whom these countless hours are shared. 'O VAI TĀTOU?! 

🏆Overall