A First Performance

My good friend Becky, who also happens to be the Young Women's president, threw a litle Luau for all the graduates this year. She got the halau to dance and then told our husbands and boys that they had to dance as well. So after a few practices they got the boys performance ready. Wyatt, TJ, Israel, and Kainoa were all taught the Haka and the Samoan slap dance. They were, by far, the hit of the show. It was funny because after all the complaints by Wyatt and TJ they hammed it up the most and had the best time. I think it helped that their friends talked about it for awhile afterwards. The pictures didn't turn out so great which was such a bummer.

The Haka

Israel and Kainoa doing the slap dance

Tealani performing the Tahitian number for the first time.

Nyah and Israel waiting to do their number.

My beautiful hula girl.

Hula

Tealani had her first public hula performance in May at Kadlec hospital's Kid's Safety Day. She did really well for her first performance. I kept encouraging her to smile, but she was too nervous. It was so awesome watching her dance. I was such a proud mom. Since then she's had a few more shows and smiles a lot more. It's always enjoyable watching her.
The keiki halau in their Maori costumes.

Getting ready to dance.

Dancing with poi balls.

My Hula Honeys (except Israel of course)

I put Tealani, Israel, and Nyah in a hula Halau soon after we moved to Pasco. There are quite a few Hawaiians living around that area which is quite surprising. We had a party in January and the kids danced. This was Tealani's first time and she was basically thrown into the older class because she was too advanced for the beginning class. She absolutely loves it and the friends she's made. Although she's a little unsure of herself, she does a great job.


Israel doesn't love it but he's got some great friends as well. He hates learning the dances but likes doing the "manly" chants. He told Aunty at our last practice "I don't really like doing this dance". She laughed and said she hadn't had any of the kids tell her that before. I think he gets embarassed because he thinks his brother Wyatt will make fun of him. I threatened Wyatt and said if he ever made a negative remark about Israel dancing he'd come to the all girls classes. He's never said a word since. He knows Mama means business!!!



Half the time Nyah has no clue what is going on. She just likes wearing the pa'u (hula skirt) and doing what Tealani does. She's getting better though and loves to dance.





I asked Tealani which video she wanted me to post and she opted for this one. She gets a little mixed up but like I said before, she didn't get to start from square one, she learned by following the other girls. The polynesian girl next to her is her good friend Kiana Fa'aumausili. They are the only other Samoan family in our stake and these two are joined at the hip!!

Nyah and Israel are dancing in this one. This is one of the dances Israel prefers not to dance but he's a good sport.