HURAITI MANA
  • Home
  • Mission
  • Fa'a'ori 2024 Showcase
  • Current Events
  • Workshop Registration
  • Dance Classes
  • Gallery
  • Field Trip Reservation
  • Contact

Northwest Folklife Hula Cultural Workshop May 27, 2018

5/29/2018

 
Picture
Huraiti Mana 'ohana wrangle our little nephew before the start of our adult hula cultural workshop at Northwest Folklife
Our day at Northwest Folklife 2018 was so full of life, love, and connectedness, that we didn't have a moment to take a proper group photo! I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet so many bright (and then sweaty) faces as we danced it out under the sun in the early morning session for children at the outdoor Seattle Center Discovery Zone; and then, again, as we danced indoors at the Armory Loft Room 3 later in the afternoon. At the Discovery Zone, I fortunately welcomed a young Alaka'i (leader) to the stage who joined me for the entire workshop. She asked poignant questions related to Disney's recent Moana. "Are you Moana? You look like Moana." 

​To this I always answer with a smile. "Moana looks like me." 

It's true. Our people, Polynesians, settled in the islands of the Pacific as early as the 3rd Century, over 1,800 years ago. The directors of Moana visited our islands and asked our elders to share our stories. My Alaka'i preceded to ask me then about the legends in Moana - Maui? Teka? And so, I told the legends I learned as a child, the legend of Maui and how he snared the sun atop Haleakalā, the house of the sun. Of Teka, I told her the legend of Pele who sailed from Tahiti with her brother Kamohoali'i leading the way; Pele, whose volcanic powers were in full force on Hawai'i island, today. Mahalo nui loa, e young Alaka'i, for your inspiration and for guiding me back to the stories of my people. 

​In the second workshop, the Armory room filled with over 60 participants, mostly adults, and many who were a part of our islander and hula-dancing community in Seattle. It was such a pleasure to see so many familiar faces and so many new. We discussed the Hawaiian heart or na'au, of speaking with truth; brief lessons of Hawaiian history and language; and my kuleana or responsibility to continue learning and sharing the practice of my people, an opportunity not afforded to my own Native Hawaiian mother due to the affects of colonization and intolerance. So, today we dance. We also looked over the language and story of Ho'opuka E Ka Lā Ma Ka Hikina, a hula ka'i whose powers summon for the blessings of the gods to connect with us on this land. Mahalo nui loa for all the hula 'olapa and the nā haumāna hou who joined us this day. I hope to dance together again, soon! A hui hou. 

Comments are closed.
    CONTACT
    [email protected]
    ​Seattle, Washington

    CATEGORIES

    All
    Competition
    Events
    Hosted Workshop Series
    News
    Performance
    Workshops

    ARCHIVES

    October 2024
    August 2024
    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
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Mission
  • Fa'a'ori 2024 Showcase
  • Current Events
  • Workshop Registration
  • Dance Classes
  • Gallery
  • Field Trip Reservation
  • Contact