A wonderful way to feel the energy of Hawaii, gently tone your body, strengthen your core, and enjoy dancing to beautiful Hawaiian music. No experience necessary. Men, Women age 15 years and older welcome!    

 

Mondays

6 - 7 pm 

Tuesdays 

11 am - 12 noon 

Saturdays

8:30 - 9:30 am  

    

Hula class prices are increasing in January.  Gift certificates for Hula Classes at current prices are available until

January 1st!

Signe Ku'ulei Whittaker
Fremont, California
                
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June Kaililani Tanoue

Kumu Hula

Hawane Rios on Mauna Kea

Hāwane Rios  is a young 25 year old activist, singer/songwriter, dancer and chanter who deeply believes in the healing power that the arts can bring.  She is from Pu`ukapu, Waimea on the Big Island. Her mother is Bonnie Pualani Case and her father is Anthony Rios. Her step-father is Eric Kalani Flores.

Hawane was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in Hawai'i.  She graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus then went on to further her education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo where she received a degree in Hawaiian language with an emphasis in Performing Arts.

In 2011, her family became petitioners in the contested case hearing for the proposed Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) to be built on the Northern Plateau of Mauna a Wakea (Mauna Kea).  

Pua Case sent us this update today, "We are in litigation with one appeal moving into the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) challenging the TMT conservation district use permit and another case pending in the Third Circuit Court challenging the University's request for an extended sub-lease for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).

We remain steadfast and committed to Mauna Kea both from an environmental law standpoint as well as from a spiritual and cultural kuleana or responsibility. We forward in Aloha as defined as a complete commitment to PONO..what is just, right, for the highest benefit to the Mother Earth.."

We were lucky to catch Hawane in a spare moment for this interview.

June Tanoue:  Why are you so involved with Mauna Kea and trying to stop the building of the 13th telescope?

Hawane Rios:  The profound connection I feel to Mauna a Wakea is so deep, so clear and unwavering, that it is almost indescribable.  My childhood memories are filled with moments of looking to this sacred mountain in awe of its incredible vastness and unprecedented beauty.  I was raised to honor the mother earth and her marvelous bounty; to know the powerful relationship between human, earth, sky, sea, and creature; and to understand that we are not separate but one with the universe.

My younger sister, a seer of the Mo'o realm, was asked by the great Mo'oinanea of Wai'au [lake at the top of Mauna Kea] if we as family could try one more time to protect and save the mountain.  There were specific and clear instructions as to how we should proceed.  We were to do this with the highest frequency of love and compassion. 

As a passionate young woman, this instruction was difficult to grasp at times, especially when standing in the face of adversity and criticism.  However my family kept strong in what was just, true, and in complete alignment with our spiritual guides and ancestors.

We are living in an era where the health and well-being of our entire planet and all of its inhabitants are threatened daily by our decisions and actions as human beings.  Many of our young ones are growing up looking down at tiny screens for entertainment instead of exploring the greatness of the outdoors. 

There are many times that I myself am completely distracted by our new technologies and various ways of communication.  I find myself rushing through tasks and thinking ahead about what I have to do next.  In those moments, I tell myself to take a breath, ground, go outside, look unto our great mountain, and remember the sacred union once again. 

I have learned that to rekindle the relationship with the earth is to simply go to the earth.  It is gifting yourself a moment to lay down on the land and communicate with the sky.  It is going outside to plant a seed and make a vow to nurture and watch it grow.  It is savoring the sweetness and the brilliance of a starry night. 

It is knowing, really knowing that you come from generations of ancient gifts, of strength, of love and divine connection.  One of the most beautiful lessons I learned from this wonderful journey is that you need not travel far to return to center, for you possess within your spirit all of the wisdom needed to guide you.

June:  Why did you write Make Strong?

Hawane:  Papa Mau Pialug, master Navigator and master teacher to many Hawaiian voyagers, would say "Make Strong like mountain" to a crew before embarking on a voyage. Those words have inspired me and encouraged me in many moments in my life when I needed to be strong.

In this time of great change, a time of rising and revolution, we sometimes get discouraged and afraid. I wanted to create a song that reminded people of the connection we all have to the earth and to each other. The intention of this song is to lift people up from any struggles they are going through and ignite a fire within to continue.

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You can help the effort by sending a donation to KAHEA - the Hawaiian Environmental Alliance and as always individuals may purchase Mauna Kea Shawls, Poliʻahu Scarves, Mauna Kea Kupaʻa Beanies by contacting Pua Case on Mauna Kea Shawls.  Halau i Ka Pono also has some shawls for sale (see below).