Hui o Hawaii Scrapbook
Gracious Ladies through 2012
Hui o Hawaii of Sacramento Gracious Ladies
September 2012
On September 26, 2012 at the Community Partners Breakfast Wells Fargo
gave Hui o Hawaii $1000 to help sponsor the 2012 Sacramento Aloha
Festival.
April 2012
Hui
o Hawaii's Annual Luau, April 28, 2012
Hui
o Hawaii dancers
Our
beautiful dancers serving Carlos' Ono Hawaiian Food to our guests
Hui
o Hawaii t-shirts and Aloha Festival bags for sale
smile
Del (Hui o Hawaii of Sacramento 2012 President)
Mona
Foster (Hui o Hawaii of Sacramento 2012 Vice President and Founder)
received the Outstanding Service Commendation Award on April 27,
2012 from Jan Scully, District Attorney.
February
2012
Hui
o Hawaii of Sacramento, Inc. held a workshop with Kumu Mahealani
on February 19, 2012 in Vacaville. Participants included HOH members
and guests from the community.
October
2011
First
Annual Sacramento Aloha Festival
October 22, held at Cal Expo
sacalohafest.org
August
2011
by
Whitney Skillman,
My
daughter and I were privilege to be a part of the original welcoming
when the waka's came to Treasure Island on Tuesday, August 2nd.
There had been a lot of built up anticipation as we had expected
them first on the previous Saturday, then on the Sunday following.
It
was a beautiful, sunny yet windy afternoon. We made our way to the
Northwest point of Treasure Island to look for the waka's as they
sailed in under the Golden Gate Bridge. As they came through the
channel, past Alcatraz, there was an undeniable feeling of growing
excitement. These canoes were alot larger than I had envisioned...they
were regal, they were majestic, they were beautiful.
All
at once I was reminded of times long past, of our history as Poynesians
and I was so happy to be there with my husband and children to witness
this historic voyage. Once they rounded Treasure Island, we moved
to the little stretch of beach on the East side. With the cliffs
protecting the tiny alcove from the elements, it was completely
serene and peaceful. Everyone spoke in hushed tones while we awaited
the waka's arrival--the feeling was one of spiritual reverence.
As the waka's began to arrive, first one, then another, we clamored
to see which islands they represented, unable to tell by sail designs
that were so similar and shared flags aboard each vessel. After
the wakas had anchored on the beach, we watched the First Nation's
welcome, followed by the Hawaiians. There were quite a large number
in every group, but only four of us to welcome the waka from Aotearoa.
As we did our powhiri, the sole female aboard answered our karanga
with hers and it was thrilling and deeply moving all at once. The
captain then gave a speech in Maori and all crew members did the
haka then disembarked. A line was formed so that we might offer
each person a hongi.
As
the sun set, the waka's were bathed in an incredible golden glow,
a dazzling conclusion to an amazing journey. The crew were obviously
happy to make land and I couldn't have been any prouder to be Polynesian.
pacificvoyagers.org
Photo
by, Mark Hofmann
August 7, 2011, Wa`a Ceremony by Dede Waltz
On
August 7, 2011, Our halau and many others from throughout Northern
California gathered at Treasure Island to participate in the Wa`a
Welcoming Ceremony.
The
six canoes were replicas of the traditional Vaka Moana Canoes Pacific
people used to explore and settle the tropical islands of the Pacific and New
Zealand centuries ago. They began there trip in New Zealand and sailed to Hilo, Hawai`i
navigating by the stars, as their ancestors did. Some of the sailors were from countries
such as Cook Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Tonga.
There
were many other Countries also participating in the Welcoming Ceremony.
Included were representatives from Polynesian nations such as Hawaii,
New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Island and more. All were individually
presenting there makana (gift) to the Voyagers. A variety of gifts were offered such
as: `oli (chant), hula (dance), food, clothing, drink, traditional adornments, and many
more.
Our
hula `ohana (family) prepared in quiet reserve by dressing in ceremonial
unbleached muslin pa`us (hula skirts), and wrapped sea salt in tea leaf to
place on our person for personal protection. Silent prayers were said as we waited for the
ceremony to begin. Kumu Hula Kawika Alfiche and other kumu hulas (hula teachers) requested
all 200-plus participating hula haumana (students) to gather together, where
he blessed us all and led us in prayer.
This
was a very powerful moment. A Great Beginning! All the hula haumana
gathered together at the prospective place for our presentation. We stood
in preparation, without movement, waiting for instruction to begin. As the power of nature
knows, there are no time limits. Time became our teacher as we were given a test
of patience, strength, commitment, and endurance. Time gave way to many thoughts as I prepared
mentally and found myself in a completely different place.
As
the canoes grew closer, you could hear the conch shells from the
canoes calling to the shore and the Hawai`ian kia`i (guards) calling back. The excitement
grew from onlookers as the canoes gracefully sailed by and the Voyagers secured
there canoes, lowering there sails which were so beautifully decorated with symbols
of their different nations.
There
were paddlers from huis (clubs) and other groups waiting to approach
the canoes in order to transport each voyager to shore.
The
American Indians from various tribes (who were dressed in headdresses
and clothing covered in feathers) began the initial greeting on the shoreline.
After the American Indians escorted the Voyagers to the ceremonial tent, they gave
the Voyagers their offerings.
As
the Hawai`ian portion of the ceremony was beginning, a powerful
feeling overcame me. It was as if my breath was taken away. This
unexplained phenomenon happened and it was very spiritual. It was so sudden. Everything seemed to have
grown silent. I could hear only the elements of nature around me. The birds were chattering
as if calling out, then as they flew out of the near-by trees and circled around and
around over our heads. It felt as if they were giving us a message. The wind seemed to pick
up and blow stronger and the smell of the ocean seemed to be more noticeable. The cold
air had turned warm and comfortable. I just knew a very spiritual power was with us.
Calmness came over me and I felt we were blessed.
The
Hawai`ian makana offering began with our 200-plus haumana dressed
in ceremonial attire as we stood in front of the Voyagers. As the words of the
first `oli were chanted, I felt the sun grow warmer as if we were being giving permission
from the ancient Hawai`ians to present our offering. The traditional ceremonial `oli
and hula were given and it was truly beautiful.
When
finished, all the haumana respectfully and gracefully moved back
and aside to let the other nations present their gifts. The other Polynesian nations
which participated were dressed in their respective cultural ceremonial attire and similarly
gathered to give their gifts to the Voyagers.
A
time to remember!
Malama
Pono! (Take Care!)
April 2011
Hui o Hawaii Sacramento - April 2011 Luau
Hui o Hawaii Sacramento - April 2010 Luau
Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie, under the direction of Kumu Hula Juni Kalahikiola Romuar
|