KAPA‘A — With the warm sun shining on their faces and the sound of the ocean at their backs, five dancers of Na Wahine O Pukana La (The Ladies of Sunrise) stopped visitors and residents in their tracks to watch
KAPA‘A — With the warm sun shining on their faces and the sound of the ocean at their backs, five dancers of Na Wahine O Pukana La (The Ladies of Sunrise) stopped visitors and residents in their tracks to watch the halau practice hula and Tahitian dance behind the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center on Tuesday.
Clad in red tank-tops and sarongs, the group warmed up to the sound of the pahu as they met for their twice-a-week dance lesson led by 16-year-old Teresa Huff and her father, Mark James.
“Dancing is very pleasurable,” Teresa said, adding that she’s been dancing for nine years. “You feel one with the music.”
While there are dozens of other halau on the island, Na Wahine O Pukana is unique because it offers classes free of charge to anyone interested in dancing.
“A lot of girls who want to dance can’t afford it,” Huff said. “We didn’t want to take away the privilege of dancing away from them.”
Huff, a junior at Kapa‘a High School, established the halau a year and a half ago and has taught students ages 2 to 82.
“I saw them dancing on the beach, and they were very gracious and allowed me to join them,” said Sally Lane, who is vacationing on Kaua‘i from Ohio. “People stop all the time to watch them. It’s a nice thing to have right here; anyone can jump in.”
Christine Harjo, 13, heard about the halau from her mother.
“It’s unorthodox to have a younger teacher, and I thought it would be fun to join,” Harjo said. “This halau is really great. Everyone is nice and accepting.”
The halau performs at a variety of venues across Kaua‘i, and after a busy holiday season, Huff learned that her halau had been invited to perform at the Arizona Aloha Festival, which takes place the weekend of March 10 and 11.
The festival is expected to draw more than 200,000 attendees, and Na Wahine O Pukana La will be the only entertainers from Kaua‘i.
“There’s a huge Polynesian population in Arizona,” said James, noting that it would be a major opportunity to honor Kaua‘i for people who love the islands.
“We are there to promote Kaua‘i,” James said. “We will be dancing to songs all about Kaua‘i and passing out information from a booth we will have set up.”
The halau’s initial goal is to raise $5,000 to cover the cost of airfare for a group of eight to 10 dancers. Since the halau doesn’t charge for lessons or costumes, James and Huff said they rely on donations from fundraisers and community members.
Currently, James is in the midst of organizing a car wash and performance at Kukui Grove Center and a yard and bake sale to help defray the cost of the trip.
“We have girls who never been off-island before because they can’t afford it,” James said. “For them, to go to the Mainland and dance is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
This sentiment was echoed by 16-year-old halau member Tianne Miyoshi.
“I’ve been dancing for four months, and I love how everyone bonds,” Tianne said. “To go to Arizona would be exciting because I’ve never been to the Mainland before.”
Destinee Miyoshi, 11, who loves Tahitian dancing, said seeing new sites would be the highlight of the trip.
Ku‘uleinani Fulton, 11, and Kamalani Fulton, 16, said they were both excited for an opportunity to share their talent with a Mainland audience.
The halau will perform on the festival’s main stage on March 11, and Huff, James and singer Millie Curtis are scheduled to lead a kanikapila with ‘ukulele.
Na Wahine O Pukana La meets at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday behind the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center under the palm trees.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation should call Mark at 652-0892.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257, or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
