ARIANA AMANONI

Aloha! Maloelelei! Hello!

My name is Ariana and if you’re reading this right now, you’re helping us get to Merrie Monarch! MAHALO NUI! A little bit about me, I am a mom to a 7-year-old teenager who also dances hula with AHA and a crazy fur baby who needs to go on at least a 5-mile walk. I started dancing hula when I was 5 years old and am still going at it at 28! Dancing has been more than just a workout but it's what keeps me grounded emotionally, mentally, and fundamentally cultured.

As a Polynesian growing up in the Bay Area, I had minimal resources to learn about my roots. Although I am not Hawaiian, I am still able to make similar connections with my own culture through hula. Hula gave me the space to take pride in being Polynesian. I have formed lifetime friendships and have even met my other half here!

Being a mom to a Native Hawaiian keiki, I have a responsibility to make sure she stays connected to her culture. Since I became a cultural role model for my daughter, this makes dancing even more important.

That said, it’s pretty obvious who my motivation is during this long training season. My daughter, Ilihia!

She has been my biggest motivation in dancing Merrie Monarch. Every time I come back home, with broken knees and sore thighs from yet another strenuous dance practice, I wonder, “Why do I like to torture myself like this?” She tells me how much she loves watching me dance, practicing her ‘ōlelo, and her hula basics. Her love for hula and her culture lets me know I am doing my job.

She tells me how much she loves watching me dance, practicing her ‘ōlelo, and her hula basics. Her love for hula and her culture lets me know I am doing my job.

Now if you’re still here reading this, that means I didn’t bore you with my mushy admiration for hula and my kid! Soo, MAHALO NUI AGAIN! I hope this little post about me gives you an insight on how your donation helps dancers like myself, inspire others whether it’s our kids, our communities, or even you!

I hope you stay updated by following along our Merrie Monarch journey!

ARIANA AMANONI

Aloha! Maloelelei! Hello!

Being a mom to a Native Hawaiian keiki, I have a responsibility to make sure she stays connected to her culture. Since I became a cultural role model for my daughter, this makes dancing even more important.

She tells me how much she loves watching me dance, practicing her ‘ōlelo, and her hula basics. Her love for hula and her culture lets me know I am doing my job.

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