aloha.

I performed in my first hula show!

I started official hula classes in January of this year after years of wanting to pursue hula but it was never the right time. Then, I found Halau Makana and realized that my friend Cat also wanted to get into hula. So we ventured together and now we are hooked!

My first hula performance was at the South Shore Center on the Island of Alameda. 🙂 There were musicians, dancers, and this fun crowd.

Backstage: (pre) Hula hair, don’t care.

Plus some behind-the-scenes practicing.

The synchronicity of group dance intrigues me. I grew up performing Philippine folk and liturgical dances in church, creating dance videos with my closest friends, and eventually joining a hip hop troupe in college. It felt so great to be on stage again (in the back, behind the advanced students, 😉).

Thank you to my hula instructor Kumu Lani for teaching me hula moves and Hawaiian culture and stories, and for inviting me to perform at the Alameda Aloha Festival. And to my friend Cat (above) for hula-ing with me; I’m so happy we get to experience this together! And to this team of talented dancers!