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Aloha! (Usually whenever I've gone to a big event out there or similarly to the Alohafest down in Houston, they want big greeting back from everybody! So I start off with that thought in mind.)
The first person I remember meeting from Hawai'i came to our small rural school when I was in elementary grades. Statehood had just ...occurred. She was a nurse for a local doctor. We got told about a few island things back then, including the hula but the strong traditions associated with it, of course for kids, was beyond our thinking. Back then kids here did square dance in school. So we learned those moves and we thought that was a sort of a different kind of folk dancing, which I guess was not completely off the mark.
The nurse, we also learned later, returned back because they said she was home sick. I thought that unusual because she was a "grown up" and that was something kids associated with loneliness at summer camp. (Back in '60s it was probably much easier to go back than today.)
Years (who I kidding?)...Decades later I happen to watch "American Aloha" on PBS about the California hula halaus and I finally got many of those forgotten questions about "why do Hawaiians (or at least some of them
) participate in hula?" resolved. It's nothing like just a living history museum demonstration, etc. Early part of that film covers the economics of reality for people/ohana who elect to come to mainland or stay and what importance the culture plays on it all.
Of course other questions resulted (and an grew into an interest--paddling, etc.)and finally I have made some trips out to see some things first hand. Several memorable things and meetings with interesting folks occurred.
Those excursions were fairly frugal. The biggest splurge of all was a Kauai helicopter tour on the first trip ("cause this will be likely be my only chance/trip" I convinced myself) and will likely remain so the way things are going. (I think that's mostly on the "highway 808" heading so enough on that with fares, rental cars, rental places, etc.)
I am trying to get started with the "one man" outrigger canoe paddling here locally as a recreation for myself... and others if they show an interest. There have been some challenges with locating and transporting those 20' long and delicate craft to these parts*, however. I do have old '88 Dodge pickup with rack to haul with so maybe that looks pretty authentic!
So no travel or relocation plans for me now but will be trying to spread some parts of aloha locally if able, paddle in hand. Hope to learn a little more and maybe share an observation or two. Thanks for the chance.
Mahalo.
PS *"these parts"...well let's just say for now that school where I studied architecture is presently (and locals would probably add "and curiously") in same conference as UH... but this is last year for that and maybe a potential "topic"
!
The first person I remember meeting from Hawai'i came to our small rural school when I was in elementary grades. Statehood had just ...occurred. She was a nurse for a local doctor. We got told about a few island things back then, including the hula but the strong traditions associated with it, of course for kids, was beyond our thinking. Back then kids here did square dance in school. So we learned those moves and we thought that was a sort of a different kind of folk dancing, which I guess was not completely off the mark.
The nurse, we also learned later, returned back because they said she was home sick. I thought that unusual because she was a "grown up" and that was something kids associated with loneliness at summer camp. (Back in '60s it was probably much easier to go back than today.)
Years (who I kidding?)...Decades later I happen to watch "American Aloha" on PBS about the California hula halaus and I finally got many of those forgotten questions about "why do Hawaiians (or at least some of them
) participate in hula?" resolved. It's nothing like just a living history museum demonstration, etc. Early part of that film covers the economics of reality for people/ohana who elect to come to mainland or stay and what importance the culture plays on it all.Of course other questions resulted (and an grew into an interest--paddling, etc.)and finally I have made some trips out to see some things first hand. Several memorable things and meetings with interesting folks occurred.
Those excursions were fairly frugal. The biggest splurge of all was a Kauai helicopter tour on the first trip ("cause this will be likely be my only chance/trip" I convinced myself) and will likely remain so the way things are going. (I think that's mostly on the "highway 808" heading so enough on that with fares, rental cars, rental places, etc.)
I am trying to get started with the "one man" outrigger canoe paddling here locally as a recreation for myself... and others if they show an interest. There have been some challenges with locating and transporting those 20' long and delicate craft to these parts*, however. I do have old '88 Dodge pickup with rack to haul with so maybe that looks pretty authentic!
So no travel or relocation plans for me now but will be trying to spread some parts of aloha locally if able, paddle in hand. Hope to learn a little more and maybe share an observation or two. Thanks for the chance.
Mahalo.
PS *"these parts"...well let's just say for now that school where I studied architecture is presently (and locals would probably add "and curiously") in same conference as UH... but this is last year for that and maybe a potential "topic"
! 
~
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