Important!

• I have put on three new posts (including this one) so be sure you read all of them as to not miss any important information.

• I have put a list of material options for the May Recital Costumes. You can find this list at the right hand of the blog where it lists: Choices #1-5. Just click on the link and it will take you to the website where I buy the material.

• Please take a look at all 5 choices and let me know which one you and your daughter like the most.

Thanks,
Kumu Atwood

End of School Recital

Okay Ladies!!!

This recital is going to be amazing! The girls are working so hard on only two numbers this recital. But they are so beautiful and you're in for a REAL treat! The two songs we will be performing are:

• Somewhere Over the Rainbow by: Israel Kamakawiwa'ole
• E O Mai by Keali'i Reichel

I have made a CD for each of the girls with these songs. I really hope the girls (and ask that you encourage it) practice as much as they can at home too! Each girl has been assigned a verse from E O Mai to choreograph themselves!!!!! I have provided them with the English translations for their verse and we work on it in class. But they will need to do some work on their verse at home as well. I feel like this is a task these girls can take on. Please join me in giving them lots of confidence in this challenge.

The recital will be sometime at the end of May close to when school gets out. I am in the process of finding material for their costumes. I will post pictures of what I find so you can all leave comments of what you think.

Please check our BLOG at least once a week so I can use this as a tool of communication between you and the girls. I appreciate all your support. If you have any questions please feel free to call me whenever!

Until Next Time,

Kumu Atwood

We Need Your Help!

My family has had to move homes. We are moving just a block south of our old apartment. We have been practing in our apartments' community room, which will no longer be available for us to use once I move. We are moving the second week in March. Most places I have checked up on are way too expensive to rent with our little number of girls.

• Elementary School & Middle School($20/hour = $100/mo)
• Ephraim Assisted Living Room ($40/day = $160/mo)
• Above Roy's Pizza ($100/night = $400/mo)

So now I need your help!! Please help us find a new practice place! Once the weather gets warmer, I can have practice in my backyard (fenced in area). Please give me any input and ideas you might have!

Recital Time!

Dear Parents & Girls,
The Christmas Recital will be December 17th (Wednesday before school gets out). At 7:30pm to about 8:00pm (a short program). It will be held at the Elementary School Cafeteria. I am asking all families to bring some sort of finger food to share. (It could be chips & dip, goodies, or anything else you'd like to share)

As far as the costumes go. I have had some mothers ask about helping to sew them. That would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to get together this week just for 2o minutes to explain how to make the costume. It's simple and not too time consuming. Let's meet on Wednesday night at 7:00pm. Does that work for everyone? Even if you just want to come and see what the costumes will be like. Please call me if you can't make this time. I will just plan on it so please be there.

I also need to spend more time with the girls on their dances. I'd like to have two practices this coming week (Dec 8-12th) for an hour each. We will have their normal practice on Tuesday. Then there will be another practice on Thursday at 4-5pm. Again, please call me if this does not work for you. We will go ahead and have our last practice on Tuesday, December 16th, the day before the recital. Then the girls will have a break until the 13th of January. Practice will be at the same time and place.

Mahalo for all your support! I have loved teaching your girls and look forward to another year with them. Remember to tell your friends so we can build our group! Have a wonderful Christmas break with your families and see you in January!

Please look at the material choices below. These are the options we have for the Christmas Recital costumes. After you have looked through them, please either comment or call me with your favorite. Involve your daughters in the decision so we know they will like them also. Thanks!

green with red & white















white with red & green














green & gold














white with red & green














green & red















red & gold














White with Red & Green

Welcome to our Blog!

I decided to start up a blog for our hula halau. This is where you can come look for updates, upcoming events, and any other pieces of information I think you'd be interested in. Under each post, you are also welcome (even encouraged) to leave a comment or question. I will check this blog regularly so I can keep this fairly accurate and updated.

So far, I have had so much fun with the girls! We have learned four new hula steps and are working on mastering each one. These steps include:

• Kaholo (vamp)
• Hela (point)
• Umi (circle of hips)
• Kahulihuli (sway)

At each practice, the girls learn new Hawaiian vocabulary. I try to only say the Hawaiian words so they can become very familiar with each one. The girls have picked up the language so easily. We also have been learning about telling stories using our hands along with our feet. The motions we used at this point are:

• Makani (wind)
• Mauna (moutains)
• Kili (rain)
• Kumula'au (tree)

We have been working on two dances. Each dance is full of rhythm and fun lyrics. The two we spend the most time on right now are:

• Hukilau Song
• Out on the Beach at Waikiki

I will make copies of all the songs learned this session (until Dec 16) on a CD for only $5. This way the girls can practice and perform their dances as they please. Just let me know if you're interested.

We are getting closer to our Winter Recital. We will have it on the 12th of December. This date is still subject to change. I will be sure to let you know as soon as I get things finalized.