hula – Three One Nine

Another night, another day goes by…

September 24, 2009September 24, 2009 thethreeonenineLeave a comment

Last week K and I were judges for Showdown in Chinatown, a monthly 48 hour film shootout in Honolulu. They’re partnering with HIFF and MOCA’s Chinatown Film Project to feature this month’s winner as part of an outdoor screening during the film festival next month. The event was great–well organized and well attended. K and I really loved the film that won.

Afterwards we went with Sarah and Anderson to visit DJ ESKAE who was doing a six hour set at a club called Soho. The theme was Neon and it was PACKED. If I hadn’t seen it I wouldn’t have believed that neon could be such a big draw. I had flashes of being 17 again and partying on Long Island. It was hot, sweaty, and the music was really hard not to dance to.

On a more wholesome note, I started my hula classes last week. So far, it feels like transferring into a school after the year has already started. It’s hard meeting new people when there’s no context for my being there. I haven’t made any friends yet but I love my teacher. She’s a beautiful wacky spirit that dances like an angel. She invited us all to join the more advanced Monday class if we were so inclined. My friend Michelle is in that class and it would be more comfortable for me to know someone but I’m thinking maybe being comfortable isn’t always necessary.

My teacher gave me a pa’u skirt to use for class. Everyone has their own. I tried looking online for a store and one of the first entries was ‘Where to get a pa’u skirt: make it!” Eventually I found an ebay vendor who sold really pretty ones though I think they might be kind of fancy.

This is the dance/song we’re learning. Though obviously this is a professional and I think maybe I’m doing the baby version.

Inbetween Days

September 2, 2009September 2, 2009 thethreeonenine1 Comment

K started work this week.
And with that, I’m left with a finite number of days to make the most of my time in this beautiful place and be useful in the process.

In two weeks, I start hula classes. Everyone back home laughs when I mention this. Our idea of hula is such a bastardization of how beautiful and intense it is. I’ve come to understand that it’s key to understanding Hawaiian culture and history. It’s funny because I get very serious and righteous when people laugh even though I don’t really know anything yet. I’m going to Michelle’s teacher and I’m excited about it even though it feels intimidating. There’s a list of things I have to bring on the first day including a three ring binder. I feel like buying a trapper keeper.

In other news Beth came over for lunch today. I told her the other day that our blogs are like sisters. She’s kindred.

Aloha

April 1, 2009 thethreeonenineLeave a comment

We went to a party for K’s friend’s new restaurant over the weekend. At the end of the night, as things were slowing down, he gave K one of the many leis from around his neck. It’s one of the prettiest leis I’ve ever seen!

The next day I met with writers I’m reading with at the end of the month. They asked me what my plans were here in Hawaii. I told them about the film Noho Hewa, and how it sparked my curiosity in Hawaiian issues like affordable housing. Michelle said that my interests might eventually lead to studying hula as some forms are a way of telling Hawaii’s ancient history.

I asked her about it in an email later and she broke down the different hula hulaus and said there would be performances at the I Love Kailua! town party. She thought I could get a sense of what I wanted to study from being able to see the different styles. I find it tres cool.