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Dancing in the Sea of Life
Halau i Ka Pono Newsletter                                                                                                   December 2010

He 'ohu ke aloha; a'ohe kauhiwi kau'ole.
Love is like mist; there is no mountaintop that it does not settle upon.

                                                                                       'Olelo No'eau -  Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings
                                                                                    as translated by Mary Kawena Pukui
Greetings!

We've had our first snow flurries - winter is here!  All the leaves have blown off of the trees.  Yet the pa hula (mound) is still green as are the five arborvitae in front of the iron bamboo fence.  It's tempting to think that I can still dance on the pa hula(mound).  Perhaps we'll start a new type of hula boot camp in the winter - for hardcore Chicagoans! 

The maple tree that shades the pa hula was golden just a few weeks ago.  It illuminated the community room with a warm beautiful glow.  I brought my drums out to enjoy it and the last of the warm weather.  The Nana evergreen by the northeast corner of the Japanese Sand Garden is growing bigger - extending her tentacle-like branches from a strong inner core. 

I'm reminded of Aunty Nana Kalama, Aunty Maiki's cousin.  She was one of our kupuna, elders that my kumu, Michael Pang, kept in close touch with.  She witnessed two of our 'uniki and gave her approval.  She passed before we graduated as kumu.  When we were looking for evergreens for the garden, I was delighted to find the Nana.  That was one of the reasons we got it - to remember Aunty Nana.  She was short, soft-spoken but could also be spunky.  She had a quick smile and always gave each of us a hug and her blessings when we were with her.

It's been a year of many challenges and opportunities.  It reminds me of the challenges and growth opportunities that the Goddess Hi'iaka (Woman of the Sunrise) faced on her epic journey to Kauai to fetch her sister Pele's dream lover. She is the patron goddess of Hula and Healing. She battled mo'o (dragon lizards) and sharks, found her way through huge wind and rain storms, and helped to bring a chief back to life using prayers, herbs and massage.  Hi'iaka personifies Nature for me: deep, quiet with inner resiliency and integrity.  Nature's love is unconditional and there is no mountain top or valley that it does not settle upon. 

This is the first of what will become monthly newsletters for Halau i Ka Pono.  I've titled it Dancing in the Sea of Life because that is what Hula means to me.  We choose to dance no matter what comes our way. Hula expresses a profound part of our nature. And our dance includes everything - challenges, opportunities, laughter, tears - in the great Sea of Life.  Nothing is left out.

I welcome your feedback, suggestions for articles and support!

Malama pono, (take good care of body, mind and spirit)

June Kaililani Tanoue
Kumu Hula

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Hula Workshop: December 12th
Hula Kahiko (ancient)  10 am to 1 pm Bring ipu to practice Alaka'i,
                    Learn Kawika.   At least 6 months of hula required or permission
                    of Kumu.
Hula Auana (modern)  1 pm to 3 pm,  Learn Ke Aloha.  Beginners welcome.

Click here to register online.  Workshop is at Halau i Ka Pono, 163 N. Humphrey, Oak Park, IL.
Upcoming Performances June w/ipu

Peace Concert and Holiday Auction

Zen Buddhist Temple

1710 W. Cornelia Ave, Chicago, IL

Saturday, December 11th at 7 pm

The Halau will perform for 20 minutes at the fundraiser. Open to the Public.


Calendar of Ongoing Classes
  • Beginner Hula Classes are on Mondays: 11 am - 12 noon and 5:30 - 6:30 pm
     
  • Auana and Kahiko Class: Wednesdays: 7 - 8 pm (at least 6 months of hula required or permission of Kumu)
     
  • Advanced Kahiko Class: Fridays: 10 - 12 noon 
     
  • NEW Beginner Classes for January, February and March:  Wednesdays - 6 - 7 pm
  • NEW Parent/Keiki (5 - 7 year olds) class will start January 6th - Thursdays - at 3:30 pm at the Park District of Oak Park's Dole Center.  Limit to 6 couples.  Call the Dole Center to register: 708.848.7050.
Call Halau at 708-445-1651 or click here to register.  Email june@halauikapono.org for more info.
Halau will be on Holiday Break from December 23 - January 2, 2011
Mahalo Nui Loa!!!
  MAHALO NUI LOA!!! We are grateful to the following people who have helped the Halau in 2010 in many important ways.  We say a warm Mahalo Nui Loa to: Mariko Gordon,  Sharlene Wong, Doreen Elliott, Kumu Pilipo Solatorio, Jason Poole, Bobby Alcain, Halau Hula Ka No'eau, Kahu Dean Kauka & Imiola Church, Hale Ho'ola, Kalopa State Park, Charles Hua & Pu'uhonua O Honaunau,  Kumu Hula Ab Valencia & Halau Hula Kalehuaki'eki'eika'iu, Ricia & Nick Shema, Volcano Arts Center & Marsha Hee, Caren Loebel-Fried, Na Kumu Hula Cherise Mundon, Sharon Goodman & Maile Yamanaka, Tom English & WH Shipman Ltd, Patti Danko, Linda Reid-Meeker, Michael Katz, John-Mario Sevilla, Jeffrey Strauss, Nicole Sumida, Alex Yu, Sharlyne Palacio Brass, Cissy & Harry Plekavic, Mieko Waldorf, Cecilia Peralta, Nina Shigaki, Oak Park Public Library, Brian & Lei Dietmeyer, Kathy Griep & Hula Association of the Midwest, Harry Kepa'a, Yvette Wynn, Sarah Ann McGinnis, Erika Comrie, Sonja Hazell, Mindy Marzal, Chyrel Banias, Nadine Lollino, Becky Jung, and Tasha Marren.
Reiki Special  Nana

Are you feeling run down, stressed by deadlines or just off-center?  Consider trying a Reiki Healing Session with June Tanoue to help you balance yourself. Because we are sensitive to those who need help but may be challenged during these difficult economic times, the Halau is offering up to a 20% discount off our normal Reiki Healing rates for the month of December.

One hour Reiki Healing Session: $60 for Public; $48 for Hula Students (regularly $75 and $60).  Click here to register or call 708-445-1651.  Mahalo!