LIHU‘E — There were two girls who were not on the stage when Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala dancers walked off with the overall trophy at the Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Festival last month. “They are very much a part
LIHU‘E — There were two girls who were not on the stage when Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala dancers walked off with the overall trophy at the Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Festival last month.
“They are very much a part of this group,” said kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao-Jardin. “Unfortunately, not everyone can make the group, but that did not stop these two young dancers from coming to all the practices, and even from going to O‘ahu. They are very much a part of this group, and this kind of commitment shows they are ready for 2010.”
Pavao-Jardin is the kumu hula for Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala that was honored with commendation certificates by the Kaua‘i County Council during its Wednesday meeting.
The Kalaheo-based halau, comprised of girls between the ages of 8 through 12 years old, earned top honors in the kahiko competition and second place in the ‘auana competition en route to it receiving the overall winner accolades.
“When you saw the girls dance, you could tell they were from Kaua‘i, and dancing about Hanalei and the rains, a place they all knew,” Pavao-Jardin told the council members.
The commendation said this is a tremendous accomplishment because it was the first time in more than 10 years that a Kaua‘i halau was invited to participate in the top keiki competition in the state, and the dancers of Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala represented Kaua‘i with grace, humbleness and respect.
Councilman Derek Kawakami, in congratulating the halau, said he was pleased with keiki learning the traditional hula because it represented a bridge to the past. This is especially important because visitors are interested in who we are and what makes Hawai‘i the special place it is.
In addition to taking the overall award at the 34th Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Festival, Breeze Ann Pavao, the daughter of kumu hula and Sean Jardin, earned the title of Miss Keiki Hula 2009.
The kumu hula relayed an incident at the competition where she knew Breeze Ann’s weak point was footwork.
“I prayed to my deceased mother before the competition and asked her to carry Breeze Ann across the floor,” Pavao-Jardin said. “When the competition was over, Breeze Ann was bawling because she said ‘I couldn’t feel the floor.’ I told her that’s because grandma carried you across.”
Breeze Ann is 9 years old and a fourth grade student at the Kalaheo School.
Other dancers in the halau include Nalani Ventura, Gabrielle Balisacan, Amber Pabustan, Noelle Lovesy, Melia Takakusagi, Jaedyn Pavao, Annie Funaki, Kukana Pulawa, Kylie Wong, Tiffany Ishibashi, Rylee Pavao, Emily Melchor, Kiley Culkin, Nika Tapucol, Kaila Harris, Cherish Pascua, Krystle Pascua, Kaitlin Sandal and Taelor Sagucio.
