As I danced on the large stage under the blinding lights of the PIA arena, the adrenaline rushed through my body as I felt the beat of the drums playing behind me. My mind blanked but my body was flowing and I felt free on stage. Every motion, emotion, and every step with the group flowed together in perfect harmony, as if the story we were dancing about was coming to life, through us. The feeling of dancing in front of over a thousand people was surreal. It was like reliving the Merrie Monarch all over again. The relief of walking off the stage while everyone was giving us a standing ovation was the best feeling. It made me so happy to know that others really enjoy us and our culture.
My hula hālau won top three in the biggest hula competition in the world called The Merrie Monarch. This competition was created 61 years ago and has been an honor to dance in for the past three years. The top hālau are gifted a trip to Japan to perform their winning dances to other people. This is an amazing experience for those who are fortunate enough to attend.
A lot happened before this moment, and it all began with a suitcase full of many lei, costumes, and a heart of aloha ready to share my culture with others. I woke up at 5 a.m. full of excitement as I was ready to journey through another country with my favorite people. The plane ride was as long as ever but just so happened to be one of the best flights I have ever been on. The food was amazing and our seats were so comfortable. As I stepped outside of the airport, I was greeted with the humid warm air of Narita Japan. It was as if I never left home.
Culture in Hawaiʻi as everyone knows, means a lot to us. It’s a huge part of who we are and what we believe in. Taking from this experience in Japan, it goes way beyond just that. I would say it is very well-known for Japanese people to show such a high level of appreciation for Hawaiian culture, especially for hula. They go above and beyond to make sure that they are getting the right knowledge from the right people. I think us traveling there to showcase hula in the way that we did for Nā Poʻokela is significant because it is important for them to be able to see this type of culture in person which is not always assicable.
“Watching YouTube videos or third-party accounts of hula is not giving you the full experience and I think hula, although is a physical representation of our culture it is also very emotional. So to be able to have us in person there to showcase our culture to the Japanese people really allows them to also feel those emotions and to connect to the stories we are portraying through our hula.” Momi Tolentino stated.
While we shared our hula from Hawaiʻi, we also experienced the culture of Japan. We were fortunate enough to eat their traditional types of foods and try new things we donʻt have back home. One of the things we were able to try was the yakiniku. It was the best experience. The savory meat melted in your mouth with every bite. We also got to experience Tokyo Disney, which I would say is the best and cutest Disney on Earth. We were able to connect with our Japan hālau and it is always a good time being with them.
As I head home, I carry with me all the lessons, knowledge, and unforgettable experiences from this trip. From the intricate rhythms of the dance to the deep cultural insights I’ve gained, this journey has been a perfect blend of tradition, connection, and growth. I am grateful for the new friendships formed and the opportunity to make new ones. These experiences and memories will stay with me, continuing to inspire and guide my hula journey as I move forward.
