Thriller at Roppongi

Tonight I received an invitation to see Thriller LIVE at the Blue Theatre in Roppongi Tokyo.  I entered the hall with a little skeptism wondering if this show could possibly live up to the legend/myth Michael Jackson.   After only a few songs into the peformance I was swept away and fully bought in to what all these young performers had to share.  Each dancer and singer which totaled around 15 were awesome.   Each had their own personality and character.  Each were talented beyond belief.  But what I loved about the performers were their outward exuberance of love, dignity and kindness.  These traits were quite visible and the audience could easily connect with each and everyone one of them.  To see their smile and watch their hearts in song and dance showed not only their professionalism but more importantly perhaps their greater respect for the legend himself Michael.  I would highly encourage everyone to see this performance to support the performing arts.  In the show there is a young Michael he was very charming and quite an excellent performer too.  Me ke aloha Hikari.

Fuji TV April 21,2014

昨日 ふじ テレビ の 日 ハウマナ と たのしかった です。 海に フラ おどりました、 たいこ 人 も えんそうしました。その あと じびきあみ から 生しらす いっぱい くれました。 今朝 しらすを なんかい  あらった。 この オムレツ りょうり しました。 マハロ ヌイ ロア Uncle (Kumu) Michael Delacruz and halau, Junko Tamura Sensei and Halau, Kuhai Halau O Ka Pua O Ka Naupaka and Anapanapa Wai O Puolena. メケアロハ イア オウコウ。。。カヴェナ

Hula Lei カヴェナ マン フラレイ

It's been six year now living here in Japan.  Teaching hula in Japan has it's ups and downs to be very honest.  Everyday I thank God for this chance to teach hula and Hawaiian culture here in Japan. I have amazing relationships with students, teachers and others that purely love Hawaii.   

With the new year nearly one-third finished,  I've kept busy planning a concert in July, organizing a trip with my students and recording a new cd.     Eveything is coming along great.

This photo below was taken during my weekly lesson at Enoshima.  At ENOSPA, they have an excellent medical program whereby I get to teach their clients hula.  Our lesson studio always overlooks Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji. After our lesson,  there is a natural hot spring (Onsen) that is part of the facilities too.

This is it for now please visit my website.  Me Ke aloha Kawena

http://www.hulalei.com

I AM HULA 2014

Sad songs!

Today, is October 3rd and Hoike is this weekend on Sunday.  I am quite excited as well as all of our students.  Everyone is making their lei, preparing their costumes and practicing hard.  My lei are done, and I feel like I have landed a little.  Just have some final practices then show time.  Hawaiian guests will arrive tomorrow.  Loea and Ula Hewett are on the rock and maybe just as excited as us to get this thing going.

For this blog I wanted to step away from  the hussle that has basically taken over my life these past months getting ready for the Big One. As always before going to sleep, I practice with my guitar from about 12:00 to 1:00 AM.  I feel sorry for my next door neighbor's children,  I try to practice quietly.  Well last night, a little inspiration came and I wrote a sad song.    And, I was ecstatic both yesterday and today.  Why could anyone be happy about a sad song?  I dont know!  Maybe from life we just have to be happy and make  the best of what we are given.  

Here are the lyrics...Aloha HIkari.

Kawena Mann

October 2, 2013

I wrote my first sad song.  The reason why I wrote this song was because the day before while jogging I was listening to all this country music with some really sad stories that didn't make you sad it just made you chuckle or laugh inside.  This song was just a little creation piece I did before going to bed.    In this song its similar to those country songs that I  listened too with sad stories, but maybe my purpose for this song is satirical. There some definite truth in this song but in life and through living our lives there is lots of joy and happiness too.   

Why are you sitting

So far away from me?

Is it because 2-days ago we fought

Looking back to why we act this way

Maybe its because we’ve grown apart

            When I recall our earlier days

            we were happy

            Singing a song beside a waterfall

            Dreaming a dream together forever

            Living our lives together as one

Now when we are home

we hardly talk

Laughing like before is rare

Our eyes never meet there either here or there

Our lips dry from the cold air

            Chorus

You love the moon I like the sun

Mornings I wake up late , to find your gone

Day to day,  gets harder and harder to  live this way

To love one another with pure hearts.

Aloha Kakahiaka

Today is another nice day here in Japan. The past two days I have been in Chiba doing music for two of my friends that have their own halau.  Kumu KAMALANI Kia had his hoike in Funabashi and Lee Sensei held her hoike in Chiba Chuo.  I think both concerts had a very nice warm and tender feeling.  Last night was truly special because I could share the stage with our teacher Loea Kawaikapu Hewett.  

Music performance is still new for me.  Trying to achieve an ambient sound; trying to connect with an audience; being able to perform naturally is still hard for me.  However, one basic thing that I've learned to do was to do all things with love and respect and also to include and acknowledge God.  These things I hold in my heart all the time and helps to settle me.

Soon I will be returning home to Kugenuma Kaigan,  but there's more work awaiting me. I think everything will be ok though.  I just approach each piece of work slowly and it will get done.  Later I will share some of my photos from today's happenings.

God bless you all back at home and abroad.  To my Japanese haumana/Ohana have a nice holiday today.  It's windy!

Aloha HIkari

Hoike Hula Aloha

Hoike Hula Aloha is near, October 6, 2013 at Kamakura Geijutsukan.  Everyone has been practicing hard, sewing costumes, ordering leis, leaves and flower.   We have invited many of our friends and hula sensei to enjoy our special day with us.  We have made preparations to bring our teacher Loea Hewett and his daughter Ula Hewett from Hawaii as well as Pu'ukapu band (Sonny Lim, Wailau Ryder and Kevin Kealoha).   I think all of our students are very excited.  I hope they can enjoy themselves and not be overwhelmed with their kuleana.  Regarding my blog, I am really sorry I cannot keep the events page up to date.  But with little information when I can provide it, I truly hope I can see and meet you (my internet friend, Facebook friend or other acquaintance).  God bless you all...HIkari.