Language of the Heart

"Hula is the language of the heart, therefore, the heartbeat of the Hawai'ian people."

                                                             -Kalakaua 

 

I had the wonderful privilege of seeing that very thing displayed in the younger generation. 

 

While sitting in the bleachers, I lady turned to me and asked "Who are you here watching?" 

I replied, "Oh no one. I don't know any of them." 

She looked at me surprised, wondering why someone would come to spend a day sitting in uncomfortable bleachers. I chatted with her a little more and found out that her two granddaughters were in the competition. 

I freely admit that I know very little about Hula. I decided to come to this competition to learn more, to be immersed with the culture. I can imagine how much time and energy they put learning the dance. The hours of practice. 

 

I found the solo hula event the most fascinating, for even though I didn't know anything about the story each was telling or the rules of technique, I could tell who was going to win. When she danced, she moved beyond the technique. She moved beyond the musicality. She wasn't going through a checklist in her head. She was truly dancing from the heart.

First Friday

 

On the first Friday of every month the streets of Downtown Hilo are busy with activity as the shops and restaurants stay open later, galleries have special exhibits, and music is played at different venues around town. The first Friday of November takes it to the next level as it is deemed "Black and White Night." People are encouraged to dress in black and white as they was through the streets watching all of the special performances by local artists. My friend Annie and I headed to the streets to take in all that was being showcased.