I'm in Seattle, where the links to Hawai`i just keep getting stronger. The Island `ohana in this area is BIG! We have dozens of hula halau, several radio programs (and even a cable TV show) of Hawaiian music and cultural discussion, a monthly community newspaper, several great Hawaiian restaurants, and a few Island-themed gift shops. We've had a lot of Hawaiian musicians come through the area in recent years, too.
I'm involved in a lot of these activities myself - I play music and dance (a little) with one halau, I'm one of the radio/TV hosts, I write music reviews for the newspaper, and emcee some of the concerts. As part of my job, I program Hawaiian music for stores, malls, restaurants, airports, etc., in Hawai`i.
And I'm not from the Islands - I'm a convert who has been drawn in by the culture and people. My sweetie is from Kane`ohe, so we visit family almost every year. The people of the Hawaiian/Pacific Islands community in this area have opened their arms wide to welcome me in, and I feel so fortunate every day to be witness to the real meaning of "aloha spirit."
I'm involved in a lot of these activities myself - I play music and dance (a little) with one halau, I'm one of the radio/TV hosts, I write music reviews for the newspaper, and emcee some of the concerts. As part of my job, I program Hawaiian music for stores, malls, restaurants, airports, etc., in Hawai`i.
And I'm not from the Islands - I'm a convert who has been drawn in by the culture and people. My sweetie is from Kane`ohe, so we visit family almost every year. The people of the Hawaiian/Pacific Islands community in this area have opened their arms wide to welcome me in, and I feel so fortunate every day to be witness to the real meaning of "aloha spirit."
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