The Papa Palai teen dancers of the Beamer Solomon Halau O Poohala, a traditional Hawaiian hula school from Waimea, under the direction of fifth generation Loea (dance master) and Kumu Hula Hulali Solomon Covington, have been selected to represent the
Waimea halau will represent U.S. at
int’l folk festival
The Papa Palai teen dancers of the Beamer Solomon Halau O Poohala, a traditional Hawaiian hula school from Waimea, under the direction of fifth generation Loea (dance master) and Kumu Hula Hulali Solomon Covington, have been selected to represent the United States at the 2012 Folkmoot USA International Folk Festival in Waynesville, N.C. The festival began July 17 and runs through Monday.
The festival is ranked among the top 25 in the Southeast and draws 100,000 visitors to North Carolina annually for two weeks of traditional performances and cultural exchange. Out of 300 annual submissions, only 10 countries are invited to participate each summer.
In addition to the Hawaii halau, the 2012 Folkmoot Festival will present performers from Belgium, Indonesia, Serbia, Peru, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Ukraine, New Zealand and France. In all, the Papa Palai teen dancers of the Beamer Solomon Halau O Poohala will be performing at a total of 24 different venues.
“This is a great opportunity and honor for our halau’s award-winning teen dancers, which includes Leiomalama Tamasese Solomon and Kamaile Sohriakoff (both recent Hawaii Preparatory Academy graduates), Marisa Saito (a Parker School senior) and Leilani Gabrielle (a Kealakehe High School senior), to perform with and for exceptional dancers from around the world. The cultural exchange for all of us will be extraordinary,” said Covington. Covington’s granddaughter, Puuwai Covington, 6, will be the keiki soloist.
The Beamer Solomon hula school presented its third hula drama, “Eia Ka Hula” (Behold the Hula) in June 2011 in New York City and at Waimea’s Kahilu Theater in February to conclude a three-year celebration of the school’s 150-year Hawaiian dance and music legacy extending back to the Kalakaua Reign.
“This showcase is frosting on the cake as we bring our 150th anniversary celebration to a close. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience” said Leiomalama Solomon, the group’s lead dancer.
Accompanying the halau will be Na Mele O Poohala with Russell Paio, who represents the legacy of the Kaapana musical ohana from Kalapana, as the lead vocalist and guitarist, Nathan Grace on bass and singing falsetto, and Covington playing ukulele and singing and chanting.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Hawaii Senate have recognized the accomplishments of Beamer Solomon Halau O Poohala. The governor has asked Sen. Malama Solomon, cultural adviser to the halau, to represent the state at the festival and present a proclamation congratulating and commending festival organizers. Solomon will also present a congratulatory certificate from the Senate to the organizers at the gala preview and opening reception, Parade of Nations, grand opening, and World Friendship Day.
Helping make the trip possible is sponsorship by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Richard Kelley Trust and the Charles Kelley Trust.
Bridge results
Results of the American Bridge League play at the Kona Bridge Club:
July 2: First, Marlene Sabo and Chuck Clark. Second, Shelly Hershberger and Dean Jenkins.
July 5: North/South: First, Dean Jenkins and Richard Gittelman. Second, Marlene Sabo and Michael Folkert.
East/West: First, Susan Brown and James Mills Jr. Second, James Elstran and Chuck Clark.
July 6: First, Nancy Palmer and Sara Ito. Second, Marlene Sabo and Michael Folkert.
July 9: First, James Mills Jr. and Allan Young. Second, Barbara Eichelbarger and James Elstran.
July 12: North/South: First, Marlene Sabo and Michael Folkert. Second, Joan Hill and Dorothy Case.
East/West: First, Mary Dee Overton and L. Stuart Vance. Second, Chuck Clark and James Elstran.
July 13: First, Mary Dee Overton and Marlene Sabo. Second, Liz Holey and Joan Hill.
For the schedule of games, call 443-7708.
