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Sharing "hula" spirit
by Radasha Ho'ohuli, staff writer
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Hula is an ancient style of dance native to the islanders
of Hawai‘i and was once only performed in Hawai‘i.
Today the dance can be witnessed all around the world. Hula
is an experience of sharing, whether you are a kumu hula, or
teacher of hula, a professional hula dancer, or a visitor to
Hawai‘i who learned to dance the hula while here. It
doesn’t matter how one learns hula or where one experiences
its performance. What counts is that it is being shared.
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Hula allows many people to feel connected to Hawai‘i,
whether they have been here or just want to visit. In Japan,
the wish to be connected to Hawai‘i is so passionate
that many Japanese, especially women, take personal lessons
in order to learn the art of hula. Many of them are so good
they dance as though they were typical local Hawaiian women,
who had danced hula for generations.
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| For local hula dancers, being able to travel to
Japan to witness the amazement and excitement of the Japanese
is another adventure in itself. On Sept. 5, with three other
dancers, I left Honolulu on a flight to Narita airport. We had
an invitation to sing and dance at the Hakone Ohan Hotel in Hakone,
Japan. When we arrived in Japan, we were treated with the care
and compassion one would expect due to a king or queen. The people
are professional and business-like, as well as respectful and
genuine. |
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| Sponsors and hosts were especially helpful. Our
host, a man well—known in the Hawaiian entertainment community,
was Mr. Ariga. He has taken numerous Hawaiian groups to Japan
to share a variety of songs and dances. He and his assistant,
Kako, met us at the airport, right outside of the baggage claim,
so that we didn’t get lost amongst all the hustle and bustle.
They took care of our transportation, hotel room, and meals (sometimes
even treating us to fine dining). |
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| The people of Japan are thoughtful about personal
wants and needs. Our hosts were no exception. They made sure
they did all they could to ensure that our visit was a pleasure
and not all hard work. It is customary for the Japanese to bow
to show respect. When we arrived to our hotel, they bowed. When
we walked into the hotel, they bowed. When we would leave for
the day, they bowed. And, at the end of our fun trip, when saying
our final farewells, they bowed. The bowing episodes lasted all
the way to the end of the road, until we were completely out
of sight. |
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| So, what is it like to share the hula in a place
where people are already kind, generous, respectful, considerate,
and giving? Many Hawaiian entertainers are not surprised, when
they arrive for a concert, to find their dressing rooms full
of food, drinks, and omiage. Regularly hosts and sponsors go
above and beyond western courtesy to ensure a relaxing wait. |
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| When performing the hula, our troop felt a warm
appreciation and joy from the audience. They become involved,
clapping their hands to the music, swaying from side to side
to the rhythm, or they were simply mesmerized by a beautiful
hula dancer. At the close of the concert, “Hawai‘i
Aloha” was sung, the whole audience sang along, as they
too all knew the song. |
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| And, just when we thought that everything was done,
still more presents and flowers arrived at our dressing room
to thank us for our wonderful performance and for sharing the
beauty of the hula. |
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