I've been AWOL from tribe for a while. Yes, the slow loading of pages started to get to me; but I was also really really really busy. My hula hālau (school) has been in practice mode for a major local hula competition, which took place the first weekend of this month. I decided to go for it, and -- YES!! I got selected to represent the Academy in the Gracious Ladies category (ages 35+).

I know there are some of you who turn your noses up at the idea of there being age categories, but in a culture which honors elders and has built-in respect for its older members, this kind of thinking is more of homage than discrimination. In other words, it's not a bad thing, believe me.

But back to my saga: after practicing (a lot! Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons) for over a month, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to join nine other dancers to compete. We took the stage at around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3rd. Results were announced the following evening, and to our joyous amazement, our group took second place out of a field of 11 competitors. The scores in our category were 447 (first place), 422 (second place), and 417 (third place); 450 points was the highest score.

What's particularly remarkable about this win is that our group of 10 had never worked together before as a unit (although we have danced together in class situations; three of our number have danced together for at least 20 years with the same teacher, or Kumu). By comparison, our competitors had most probably been dancing together for a number of years. Half of our group are experienced "senior" hula dancers -- the other half are real dance "newbies" who've been dancing hula less than five years!

It was a remarkable experience of mutual respect and amazing sisterhood. Our "big sisters" offered constructive criticism in gentle and helpful ways, encouraged us to keep trying, laughed and joked with us through our clumsinesses: they made it fun along with helping us understand the importance of doing a good job.

On the Thursday night before our Saturday presentation, we finally "jelled" -- we became that one mind/one body/one dancer that is the essence of good troupe performance, for me, at least. When we took the floor on Saturday, we were such a unit!

I think I'm still in shock about it all. I know I was there ... but it's still so hard to believe, considering that I started studying hula in August of 2003.

I think this is my reward for getting through the drama that was last year ...
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Congratulations to the Kâne (Men) of the Academy of Hawaiian Arts for their 4th place win in the Hula 'Auana category at this year's 44th Annual Merrie Monarch Competition. And congratulations to the Wâhine (Women) of the Academy of Hawaiian Arts as well: although the judges did not see it within their scope to award these wonderful dancers, their Hula Kahiko performance garnered the greatest audience response of the entire three-day competition. Ho'omaika'i!!

Here are links to a feature Honolulu newspaper article about the Academy, links to photo galleries of the wâhine and the kâne performances, plus a video link to the men's winning performance:

starbulletin.com/2007/04/1...ory01.html

the.honoluluadvertiser.com/arti....html

the.honoluluadvertiser.com/arti....html

www.thehawaiichannel.com/video...x.html

... 'cuz we're off to Hawai'i again for the Merrie Monarch Festival.

I REALLY need this break. I'm tired ...

More when we get back -- or not. I may be taking a break from all this for awhile.

Time to get on with the rest of life!!!

Me ke aloha,

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