Kevin Teves and I taught a Hula lesson for a girls day out before Donna's wedding the following weekend.  The 15 ladies were all visiting from Canada and staying in a lovely home on the Kona Coast.  We began the lesson by making leis form the flowers of PuaLani Orchids. The ladies surprised us by already being prepared with grass skirts!  All of the women were quick to pick up the hula steps and we learned the entire hula to Keep Your Eyes On The Hands.

Kevin Teves is one of my favorite musicians. I have the privilege of performing with Uncle Kevin every week at Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa.  A little clip was taken of the two of us tonight.... with a point and shoot underwater camera :) 

Several months ago I was booked to photograph Fridays wedding at Sunset Cove.  The only conflict was that I am booked every Friday to dance at Huggo's On the Rocks.  I asked my dear friend, Joy, if she would sub and dance at Huggo's.  As usual, Joy would do anything for anyone, without hesitation she said yes.  With time, the double booking turned into a triple booking.  As the wedding date approached, Joy was also  requested as the hula dancer for the wedding.  Fortunately another lovely dancer, Heidi, was able to dance at Huggo's.  Being that Sunset Cove is right next door, when Bula paused between songs  we could here Jeff playing in the background and could see Heidi in the distance. 
The best part was that I had the opportunity to photograph my dear friend as she danced throughout the evening.  As with any great dancer the movement appears effortless, and the dance carries on beyond the body.  Joy is the epitome of sharing Aloha, and is so properly known throughout the island as, The Joy of Aloha.

Unlike most wedding photographers, I am not always privy to details. One of my venues often does not share the itinerary, number of guests or any of the brides coorespondance.  However, yesterday no conversation was necessary to understand who was in attendance to celebrate the couples union.  In the front row of chairs placed on the first seat was a triangle box holding an American flag and a beautiful orchid lei.  The procession included the couples little daughter and the beautiful bride entered escorted only by her mother.  I wanted to capture a moment for the bride that included her fathers memory.  This picture was take very quickly because I had to lay into the sisters' lap who was seated in the second row. Not until looking at the footage did I realize the couples daughter had danced into the frame.  As a hula dancer, the first thing I notice is the little girls hands.  They appear as if she is placing a lei on a loved one.  Mahalo to this sweet keiki who is teaching me that my work is to acknowledge presence, not document memories.  I don't know how long ago the brides father passed, or if he ever had the chance to hold his granddaughter..... but he did yesterday. The family showed him honor, and his presence was most certainly at his daughters wedding, holding the entire family. 

This video inspires me.  Today I went to Kaysen's 2nd Birthday Party and was surrounded by inspiring ladies. Kaysen's mother is Dede, the line leader of Polynesian Paradise. Dede and Jennifer featured in this video as well as the drummers are all improvising while being heavily encouraged by Auntie.  When tired just think of these ladies.  All three of these women have two children each, tend to them day to night, as well as work full time .....THEN still have the energy to shake it like this: