Canoeing and Then Some

I have neglected this blog... partly because over the summer I was involved in other kinds of schooling and withdrew temporarily from hula. But so much has happened since then!

I took a three day Lomilomi massage workshop with Papa K Kepelino, at the Berkeley Accupressure Institute, and was also able to take him and SF lomilomi practioner, Jerry Huber, to the Aaron Mahi/Martin Pahinui/George Kuo concert at Templebar in August. Jerry, by the way, is an amazing healer. Contact him at Healing Winds Massage Therapies in San Francisco, (415)673-4325.

I returned to Hula classes in September, and it felt so good. My kumu, Mahealani Uchiyama, continues to astonish me, and the dancers in her performing group just get better and better. Another thing that I really like about our halau, Ka Ua Tuahine, is that we are able to participate in extra-curricular studies about the culture, and share these projects with each other. Once a month "halau night" is also a wonderful new feature, which really helps nurture the community of dancers.

In late September I went to Hawai'i moku with my sweetheart, a man who had never travelled to the islands. We stopped first on O'ahu and had lunch with two sovereignty activists. Then, we paid a quick visit to 'Iolani Palace before taking a bus back to the airport to fly to Hawai'i moku (Big Island). We had many adventures, and perhaps I will write about them in a day or two. The one I want to mention today concerns our sailing excursion off the Kona Coast:

I had the extraordinary good fortune to sail in a Hawaiian double-hulled canoe recently, off the Kona Coast (of Hawai'i moku -- the "Big Island.") Captain Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa built this canoe himself using two existing single outrigger canoes as a base and connecting them to create a replica of a traditional Hawaiian canoe. He was a wonderful guide to the culture as well as to the waters. There is nothing like sailing (and paddling) in one of these beautiful vessels, and I was filled with great happiness while we were out on the water. We sailed past the terrible battleground of Kuamo'o, and eventually anchored in a small cove for swimming. Delightful! On the business side, Captain Kiko was prompt, reasonably priced, and very flexible in his arrangements with us. His wife Margaret also joined us, and it was great to talk story with them both, as well as the other two visitors.

I highly recommend this "family operation" -- instead of the more corporate "adventures" advertised in Hawai'i. Kiko and his wife were great. The sailing was fantastic. If you're going, call them. Take a sail. It is well worth it!!! Visit his website at www.waakaulua.com. Contact Captain Kiko at (808)938-5717 or Kiko JK@aol.com.

A final item: I am happy to say that last night's annual Kapalakiko 'Aha 'Aina (lu'au) Fundraiser, which took place in Mountain View, appeared to be a sold out success! Brothers Cyril and Martin Pahinui were the headliners, the Kapalakiko Hawaiian Band did themselves proud, and hula was performed by none other than Mahea Uchiyama's Ka Ua Tuahine. Such a great evening out, even though I did have to leave early to accommodate my very tired ten year old son!