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AILEEN SAPIANDANTE

Why Hula, and why AHA?

It started in my Tutu’s living room in Waialua, Hawaii. She taught a couple of mele hula to me at 7 years old and from that point, I was inspired. I am not Hawaiian by blood but being born there and nurtured by my elders that lived there all their lives, I feel fortunate to sustain my passion for hula and the Hawaiian Culture.
 
At 10 years old I enrolled at a Polynesian Dance Group, where I was introduced to different forms of dance. Fast forward 20 years I made the choice in focusing on Hula.
One of my previous hula sisters asked me to visit her at the halau she danced for which was then Na Mele Hula Ohana under the direction of Kumu Mark Keali’I Ho’omalu.
 

My first impression was “wait...

 
I skipped the second day of his workshop and there is no chance, I could handle his style and way of teaching”.  Yes, I was very intimidated but intrigued as I watched the students execute their motions. During one of their breaks, I was approached by a lead dancer about joining the beginner’s class on Saturdays. And this is when the journey began...

After dancing with Na Mele for a year, there was a break in attending classes for about 4 months. I was freaking out thinking that Kumu Mark was retiring from teaching, and this would be the end of my hula journey.

I then received a call from one of the leads asking if I would be willing to attend classes in Monterey where Kumu Mark was teaching. With no hesitation, I accepted the invitation, and this is when I realized I am now dancing for the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.

During my 20 years with the Academy, I was asked numerous times “why do you continue with the Academy and what makes this halau different from the others”? Long story short is, the commitment to the trifecta of Educate, Entertain, and Inspire, is my “Why” to all questions.

Once I made the commitment to take those two steps into the halau, I knew the expectation was going to change. Working out, basics for hours, and long practice days and nights, knowing that I can contribute to the “People’s Choice” halau, makes me a proud haumana and helping others with their hula journey strive to do their best, there is no other feeling.

Never did I think in my Hula journey that I would travel to different countries to perform, compete in the Olympics of hula Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, and meet and marry my husband! I am sure if you ask him, he feels the same way. The Academy has shaped so many students into becoming great dancers and human beings.

I am forever grateful for Kumu Mark and AHA for helping me continue my Tutu’s legacy and understand the true meaning of ALOHA. And I thank my friends, family, and community for the continued support for me and my extended family at the Academy through my (our) Hula journey.

I am forever grateful for Kumu Mark and AHA for helping me continue my Tutu’s legacy and understand the true meaning of

 

ALOHA.

 

And I thank my friends, family, and community for the continued support for me and my extended family at the Academy through my (our) Hula journey.

 

 

 

 

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