“Ka lau ‘oliwa a ke aloha
The olive leaf of love.
A gift, kindly given. ”
“The talent is on loan to you,” my kumu said one evening during our hula class. What a wonderful way to speak about impermanence I thought. His halau was located in the uplands of Waimea. At 3,000’ elevation, Waimea was cool and misty surrounded by pasturelands gently sloping up to Mauna Kea.
I was in my late 30’s and 40’s then, still able to bend my knees and go low, my balance was good, and I could memorize chants and kahea easily. Being able to execute them now that I’m in my 70’s is different. My emphasis is on teaching and not dancing.
Hula remains my love, my cultural practice that keeps me grounded to aloha 'aina (love of the land) with roots embedded on Hawaii Island. It has been with me everywhere I go. It will be 21 years this February that I have been living and teaching hula in Chicago/Oak Park, IL.
My first student was Delacy Sarantos, now a spry 90-year old. DeLacy still comes to two classes a week on zoom! She was inspired to practice hula after visiting Hilo and the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The 15th anniversary of our Halau i Ka Pono/School that Cultivates the Goodness is coming up. One of our most important events happened this past October. We came together to raise money for Lahaina. Halau members worked tirelessly to organize food, sell tickets, do PR, and get donations for the silent auction and raffle.
Our performance at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park was sold out (200) and we raised $16,000!!! We gave 100% of it to the Hawaii Community Foundation for their Maui Strong Fund. I’m so proud of how everyone worked so well together to make this happen!
I know there are many good causes to give to. If you have any extra, I hope that you will remember Halau I Ka Pono with a year-end gift. Your contribution provides scholarships for hula students and helps keep the lights on in our Zen Center/Halau. All contributions are tax-deductible.
We thank you for all of the support each of you have given to us this year! We wish you and your families health and good cheer this Holiday Season!!!
Malama pono (take good care of body, mind, heart)
Kumu/Roshi June Kaililani Tanoue
P.S. Here's a recent recording of a talk I gave, " What does it mean to lead a human life?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VysHTHK-uTc