Our first hula show since the pandemic happened. It is befitting that we did it in a garden since Singapore is the garden city and Kaua’i is the garden state. Christmas in the garden brings home the message of hope and peace as we focus on the one who brings good news. Melé Kalikimaka. Merry Christmas !
I am so honored to be able to share Hawaiian arts and culture in Singapore, as passed down to me by Kumu Hula Leihiilani Kirkpatrick . Many years ago she accepted me as her student and I have been learning so much about the practice of Hawaiian hula which is not just a dance form but encompasses so many things such as living aloha (having love and compassion in your heart), honoring our elders, caring for the environment and so much more. Mahalo e ke kumu for your aloha, mālama and patience.
Mahalo to Lacy Deniz for reaching out to us, the Singapore extension of Hālau Ke Lei Kukui Hiʻilani. I want to bring honor to our Kumu and our Hālau by authentically perpetuating Hawaiian culture and hula here in Asia and I am grateful for the time we spent together during the interview.
Here is the story that just aired on Hawai’i News Now Sunrise.
What a blessing to be able to be out at beautiful Lakeside Garden in Jurong to film our hula. My hula sisters Kiyoko San and Mihoko San and I danced this wonderful hula choreographed by Kumu Hula Leihi’ilani Kirkpatrick amidst the greenery, flora and fauna. Mahalo e Annabelle for your leo and Daniel, Jeffery and Derek for the music. Mahalo Aaron for the videography and photo shoot !
It’s been a long year battling the pandemic but mahalo Ke Akua we are out and performing once again ! This is the soft launch of the NAC Public Art Trust commissioned art installation by Laniakea Culture. We had a wonderful time bright and early at Punggol Waterway Park enjoying the fresh air and bird songs. The traditional Oli that signifies the start is E Ala E and our voices rang out across the waterway. It felt good to be performing as a Hālau with my hula sisters after such a long break.
The School of Hawaiian Hula Singapore, the Singapore extension of Hālau Hula Ka Lei Kukui Hi’ilani, was proud to represent South East Asia at the birthday celebrations honoring Loea Kawaikapuokalani Frank Hewett aka Lehua. We practiced hard for many months to perfect our oli and our hula so that we could join with the main hālau, which is based on Kaua’i, and the San Diego extension. It was a magical and enriching experience for us as we soaked up the mana of the ‘āina and just enjoyed being connected to our Kumu Hula Leihi’ilani Kirkpatrick as well as to the land and the people of Hawai’i.
We are in serious preparation for a hula presentation for Lehua, our Kumu’s Kumu. Lehua has received a lifetime achievement award and Kumu Leihi’ilani Kirkpatrick is summoning her extensions from San Diego and Singapore to join the main Hālau to honor Lehua. This is a big thing for us, a huge honor and privilege. To be counted as worthy to join in to honor our Kumu !
Ka Pā Hula Ka Lei Maile Hi'ilani 