E Hula Mau is Here

E Hula Mau is a cultural event filled with Hawaiian arts & crafts, foods, workshops, and of course, hula and chant competition. It is a spectacular, annual gathering of the best halaus (hula schools) in California and takes place this labor day weekend, Aug. 29-31. For more info, please visit Na Mamo or the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Thanks for your support and God bless.

Photo by Adam Lejak Photography.

Hula Panic

One of the biggest fears in hula, other than performing the festivals/competitions, is getting up to the stage to realize that all your hula implements are missing. Well, luckily that didn't happen, but for some reason Milani's implements were no where to be found. For the past month, we searched high and low for the missing uli uli (feathered rattle), pu'ili (bamboo sticks), and ipu (hand held gourd). Strangely, the bag that held all of the stuff was home but everything else was gone. Milani and her dad aka dear husband looked in the car, the garage, the closets and the rooms but to no avail.

It just didn't make sense that the bag was at home but everything else was missing. First off, the hula gear is always in the car. Its permanent spot is in the car just because we can't forget it for hula practice. (Instilled by our previous hula teacher who used to charge money whenever the hula book and implements were forgotten). Secondly, the only time it is ever removed out of the car is if we go away to my parents place or on a long trip somewhere. Of course my mom did not find it anywhere in her house. Thirdly, the last people to see it was Milani and her dad. Thus, it must be dear husband who lost it lol.

Fortunately, his wife remembered that he and the kids went with his parents on a cherry picking excursion, hence, suggested that it might be at his parents. In conclusion, DH has a bad memory but happily, all the items were there. And yes, his wife is taking credit for finding it;)

Thank you

Thanks so much for those of you who took the time to take a look at our freebies. They went to some fellow etsyans so thanks for giving our jewelry a good home:)

Only a few more days til our ho'ike. We are busy making ti leaf leis and will try to post a picture of how it is made. There are five pieces - one for the head, wrists, and ankles. It's a lot of work but I can't complain as we only have one set to make. There are a few families that have 3-4 children so 5 pieces versus 20 pieces is little in comparison.

Anywayz, until tomowwow peoples:)

Hula Ho'ike

So my daughter, Milani, is going to have a hula ho'ike (recital) and we haven't even started selling tickets yet- yikes. It should be fun w/ lots of onolicious food, dance, and music by Tropical Heat. The nice part is that the location is in Alhambra, so at least it's kinda in between for those living in Orange County and Los Angeles. It's on Saturday, June 28, so if you'd like to enjoy some grindz, entertainments, and a good time w/ friends and family, be sure to hit me up for tickets:) The name of the halau (hula school) is Halau Hula Moani'a'ala Anuhea under the Kumu Hula Nani Aiu-Quezada. Anyways, thanks for reading about us.

Local Hawaiian Joke

How was your weekend? We had a very mellow, relaxing weekend. Hula for Milani, errands, church, and that's about it. Sorry, I have no new pics to post as it rained all weekend here in "sunny" California. I do have an oldie but goodie local joke for you.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to offend anyone. We are of mixed ethnic descent and are poking fun at our own ancestral roots.


There were three students: one Japanese, one Haole, and one Filipino. The teacher asked the students to use the words, "chicken, nut, and bread" in a sentence. The Japanese girl went first.

"Last night for dinner, my mother cooked us chicken and yummy banana nut bread."

"That's good," the teacher replied.

Next went the Haole boy, "I live on a farm and we raise chickens, and grow nuts to put them into our bread."

After that, the teacher asked the Filipino boy to use the words in a sentence. The Filipino boy replied, "Ho ya know, my madda said neba put de plastic bag oba my sistah's head cuz chicken nut bread."