On New Year's day, a huge hawk landed high on the branch of the oak tree in front of the Halau. Roshi and I could see it clearly outside the window of our bedroom on the second floor. It was a mature dark-brown hawk - maybe a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk - with long, powerful white-feathered legs.  I caught my breath as it looked at me several times with piercingly intense eyes.  It was so exciting to see this great wild raptor right outside our window!

Hawks also live in the tall eucalyptus trees near our family home in Kukaiau on the Hamakua Coast, and every now and then we would see them circling high above the trees.  I saw a lone hawk diving for prey in a long diagonal descent just after we finished burying my father in the Hilo Veteran's cemetery two years ago.  It was thrilling to see, especially since my father was such a great hunter and knew all the good hunting grounds on the island.

I spent Christmas on the Big Island.  I wasn't planning to go home this soon, but something tugged strongly on my heart.   And so I listened to the message.  It was good to be with Mom, with 'ohana and back on the 'aina.

Mom has been at Hale Ho'ola (state run long term care facility) Hamakua for four years now.  I helped to feed her, and take her to the bathroom -  all the things that she helped me with when I was little.  I took her to visit the home she had lived in with my father, to Spencer Beach at Kawaihae known for its healing sea air, and to Moku Ola (Island of Life aka Coconut Island) in Hilo. 

I also realized, after I made my reservations, that I would be there on December 20^th, the second anniversary of the passing of my father.  We held a memorial service at his gravesite in Hilo.  The day was beautiful and mild.  Our small group included my mother, Dad's two year old great-grandniece whom he met just before he died, and his caregiver Dee who made a beautiful protea arrangement for him.

Many wonderful gifts were presented by the community to the Hale Ho'ola residents during the holidays. The Feliciano-Kaniho Family (all ages) was there to sing Christmas carols and pass out handmade ornaments.  A Waimea church came to sing and dance hula to Hawaiian Christmas carols.  There even was an Elvis impersonator from Waimea that livened things up considerably.  I've never seen the women residents so happy and alert as when he was singing!

Toward the end of my visit, Ma was doing much better.  One late afternoon, the music of the Cazimero Brothers played on the sound system in the dining room.  They were singing Waika so I spontaneously began dancing for her and for a few residents and staff - but mostly it was for me.  It felt as if I were dancing in the cloud forests of Waika as I had done so many times before with my hula sisters in our Waimea Halau.  Time stood still for me like it does when I am totally the dance.

I remember asking Papa Henry once about the 'Io (Hawaiian Hawk) that I saw flying almost stationary, against the wind high above a pond in the Waimea pasture.  He asked what it was doing.  I answered, and he paused awhile and simply said, "good."  So the sighting of a hawk on New Year's Day is a good ho'ailona (sign, omen) for 2011.   For me it says to be watchful, see where you may be out of balance and work to make it pono, and listen closely with patience and perseverance to what can't be heard or seen.  The answers always come forth with this kind of loving attention.

Malama pono,

June Kaililani Tanoue
Kumu Hula

One of the active elders of the halau is 79 years "young" Cissy Plekavic.  Cissy is from Kumu June's home town in Kukaiau and now lives in Chicago.  Here's Cissy's mo'olelo/story in her own words.

"Because my Mom and Dad had lots of kids, I was hanai (foster care) out.  I was raised in Kona.  At the age of four, I was taught to hula.  At five we were entertaining tourists every Saturday night.  I did dance every Saturday nite.  I've learned a lot of songs but can't remember them. 

"When I was little when we entertained the tourists, dancers never got paid.  We made our money by sewing lots of leis to present to the tourist.  We also earned our money from tips.  We made at least $15 a night.  During those days that was a lot of money.

"At the age of fourteen, I learned Halemaumau.  Before I was 15 my guardians took me out of the hula troupe.  So I never danced again until I was in my twenties, when I moved back with my parents.  With the new troupe I learned this song from the Kelikolio's.  This troupe was very big in the 30's through 50's, and I lost track of them when I moved back to Kukaiau. 

When I went back with my parents, my two uncles heard about the Honokaa talent show and persuaded me to dance.  I never thought I would win because the girl I compete with was Mildred Ahuna and they have their own troupe.  I think that's the group my sister learned from.  Anyway I was shocked when they called my name for a first prize-winner.  And here 43 years later I'm dancing that song again.  Thank you June."

Mahalo nui loa/thank you very much to the following 2010 Year-end contributors: Helen Hammer, Nersa Miller, Caren Loebel-Fried, Marcia Matthews, Asako Takekuma-Katsumata, Hannah Jennings, Gabriella Moore, Cecelia Cooper, Erika Comrie, Patti Danko, Signe Whittaker, Mary Lou Kobayashi. Dave & Cheri Levenson, Kathleen Ortiz, Millie & Ann Gordon, and Susie Dorian.  Mahalo to Hoda Boyer and Sharon Ankrum for editing.  We are very grateful for your support of Hula and Hawaiian Culture in Chicago!