Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Halau Hula Leonalani in Japan: Top row dancers are Jamie Kailiawa, Jezarie Dacalio, Alexi Navarro, Kumo Debbie Ryder, Khloe Moses, Leiahi Ka'awa, Arabella Ortega, Zaelee Navarro, Christy Gross and Chelsea Kobzi. Bottom row are Japanese hula sister, Mona Wroblewski, Sensei Miko, Zendaiyah Kobzi, Florida Ortega, Mia Manatan and Melani Manatan. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

All aboard for a cultural exchange in Japan are members of Halau Hula Leionalani, based in Pāhala. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

HALAU HULA 'O LEONALANI RETURNED FROM JAPAN on Tuesday after performances, cultural exchanges and visiting historic sites.
    The halau members, under the direction of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, participated in Mele Paina on July 9 at Kawasaki City's Sangyo Shinobu  Kaikan Hall. The event was sponsored by Kanto Gakuin University College of Intercultural Studies, Ala Moana Produce, and Kawasaki Hawaiian Project.

Dancers from Pāhala share their skills with students in Japan. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

    Some of the halau and their family members stayed extra days to see more of Japan. Halau members chosen for the trip ranged from keiki to kupuna. They are: Jamie Kailiawa, Jezarie Dacalio, Alexi Navarro, Khloe Moses, Leiahi Ka'awa, Arabella Ortega, Zaelee Navarro, Christy Gross, Chelsea Kobzi, Mona Wroblewski, Zendaiyah Kobzi, Florida Ortega, Mia Manatan and Melani Manatan. In addition to Kumu Ryder, Demetrius Oliveira and Gene Beck traveled to Japan to accompany the halau with music.

Halau Hula Leionalani offered public presentations in Japan over the past week. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

Halau members form Pāhala practiced calligraphy with Japanese prescool and kindergarten students. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

    In addition to hula, calligraphy was an activity taken up by halau members who visited a Japanese preschool and kindergarten class. They also took up origami, hosted by the young Japanese students.
    The trip to Japan was funded by families and patrons, with numerous fundraisers during the last year.
    Sister halau from Japan plan to visit Pāhala for their own performances and cultural exchange later this year. Also in Japan over the past week were sister halau from Mexico, Okinawa and Virginia who plan to come here this Fall. 
    Halau Hula Leonalani holds its free classes at Pāhala Hongwanji with regular keiki and adult sessions. Call Kumu Rider at 808-649-9334.

Japanese preschool and kindergarten students welcome halau members from Kaʻū to origami class. Photo by Laurie Roush Ortega

ROOT & RISE OFFERS A VIBRANT HAWAI'I ART FELLOWSHIP. The sponsors will select up to 12 local artists with the purpose of creating art that enhances collective well-being, celebrates diverse stories of home and culture, and builds community resilience and social cohesion. The Fellowship is part of a national One Nation/One Project cohort that focuses on the intersection between arts and wellness. All disciplines welcome, and we're aiming to have an artist from every district on the island. For one year, art fellows will engage in monthly fellowship gatherings to develop relationships and learn from experts in personal and professional development. In July 2024, at the end of the 12-month fellowship, artists will exhibit their work in a one-day showcase.

County and Volunteer Fire Department fought this 42-acre fire from Monday morning into Tuesday off Kama'oa Road which was shut down for part of Monday. On Tuesday, a hotspot launched more fire on the Green Sands side of Kama'oa.  Photo by Bob Martin