As I danced on the large stage under the blinding lights of Japan’s Pia Arena, the adrenaline rushed through my body. 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 stories we were dancing about were 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 also the best feeling. It made me so happy to know that others really enjoy us and appreciate our culture.

My hula halau won top three at last year’s Merrie Monarch, the biggest hula competition in the world. It has been an honor to participate in the competition in Hilo for the past three years. The top halau are gifted a trip to Japan to perform their winning dances at a hula festival of its own. This is always 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 Hawaii, 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 our traveling there to showcase hula in the way that we did for Nā Poʻokela is significant. It is important for them to be able to see this type of culture in person, which is not always accessible.

 “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,” a fellow halau member Momi Tolentino said. “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.” 

While we shared our hula from Hawaii, we also experienced the culture of Japan. We were fortunate enough to eat their traditional types of foods and try new things that we don’t have back home. One of the things we were able to try was the yakiniku, which means “grilled meat” in Japanese. It was the best experience. The savory meat melted in our mouths with every bite. We also got to visit Tokyo Disneyland, which I would say is the best and cutest Disney park on Earth.  We were able to connect with our Japan halau, 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.