Kailua Town Hula

At a hula performance here in town.  I love her smile - to me it is the embodiment the aloha spirit!

U'i

Some of the beautiful ladies of the Hano Hano No Akua Ka Hula Hula halau.  This was taken right after their Easter sunrise performance yesterday, which was quite moving. 

Collecting Seashells by the Seashore

Two little friends collect sticks and shells on the beach after a sunrise hula service.  I love the morning light here, and the breathtaking backdrop that the Ko'olau mountain range provides when the clouds ascend and hover just above its peaks.  For more sky photos from around the world, please go visit Skywatch Friday.

Uli Uli

Not the best photo I took on this evening, but still one of my favorites because of their facial expressions - I like the way they just look like they are having fun!   What are Uli Uli, you ask?
 
The Hawaiian version of a shaker is called the Uli Uli, this type of shake is more of a rattle style of shaker with seeds or beads placed inside the Uli Uli to be used in a similar way to a tambourine to follow the tempo of the dance. The Uli Uli is normally decorated with patterns or flowers around the head of the shaker. The Ul Uli is carved out of wood in a sort of bottle shape hence the rattle sound it produces with the beads and seeds. (from Hula-With-Me).

Merry Christmas To All, and To All a Good Night

It has been a good weekend:  Christmas Eve hula performance by my daughter's halau, both kids getting hopped up on sugar cookies and dancing to Christmas music, cheese fondue with my Santa after the stockings were stuffed, pre-dawn awakening for presents, church service this morning to celebrate Christ's birth, delicious dinner with friends, and an evening visit with more friends.  I am worn out, but in a good way.  Merry Christmas everyone!

A Hula Pic - Because It's Been Awhile

Isn't she a lovely woman?

Sunrise Hula

Fort Hase beach, with its windswept ironwood trees, provided the perfect backdrop for an outdoor hula performance.  This young woman was actually part of a large group of dancers. 

My Hula Girl

I had to share a couple of photos of my daughter today - these were taken at a hula performance by the Hanohano No Akua Ka Hulahula group this past weekend.  I was very proud of her!

Keiki Hula

Snapped this at one of Kailua's free hula performances,  just as she glanced at her mom for a little reassurance on stage!