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About Hālau Ha'a Kea o Mokihana
Founded in 2006
Hālau Name
The name of our hālau here in Washington D.C. means “The Kea hula style of
Mokihana.”
Hālau means school or, culturally, the extension of the breath of life. Ha’a is to
dance in a sacred mindset or humility.
Kea is the family name of our Kumu Hula Paul K. Neves and in Hawaiian means
pure, white or snow.
Mokihana is the name of his wife and refers to the lei of Kaua’i that is very special
to Hawai’i’s peoples. Its fragrance and beauty is unique and not all people can
wear it. Wanda Mokihana Neves, his wife, symbolizes that rare person and Kumu
wants you to know that you are being asked to wear your uniqueness as a very,
very special lei Mokihana in Hālau Ha’a Kea o Mokihana.
Colors
The hālau colors are green, black and white.
Green, or ‘ōma’oma’o, represents the green forests and lawns of the Washington
D.C. area and the green of the lei Mokihana of Kaua’i. For Kumu Paul, green
represents constant growth and freshness.
Black, or ‘ele’ele, is for the inclusion of all colors and it means that all people are
welcome. Black, in the Hawaiian context, also symbolizes pō, the darkness by
which we can clearly see the stars that have guided the Hawaiian people since
time immemorial.
White, or ke’oke’o, denotes purity and clarity of spirit. When and if we are asked
to express the dance in public we will do so with love and respect for the Hawaiian
people and their culture and we will express ourselves in a way that moves our
audience to do the same. Hālau Ha’a Kea o Mokihana shares the same white and
black colors with our sister hālau in Hawai’i and California.
In Hawaii, Hālau Ha’a Kea o Akalā uses yellow, or melemele, as its main color.
Yellow is for the rising and setting sun over Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest
mountain, which shades Hilo, Hawai’i, the home of this hālau. Hālau Ha’a Kea o
Akalā, “The Kea hula style of a new day”, is named for Kumu Paul’s daughter.
In California, Hālau Ha’a Kea o Kinohi uses red, or ‘ula’ula, as its main color. Red is
for the volcanic region of Northern California and the town of Calistoga where the
hālau is located. This Pele-like area is the home of Hālau Ha’a Kea o Kinohi, “The
Kea hula style of a new beginning, and is named for Kumu Paul’s son.
The drum
The hālau does not have its own drum, or pahu, at this time but obtaining one is a
primary goal in 2007. Until then we are extremely grateful for the generosity of
Albert Adaong who is allowing us to use his drum.
Hālau Name
The name of our hālau here in Washington D.C. means “The Kea hula style of
Mokihana.”
Hālau means school or, culturally, the extension of the breath of life. Ha’a is to
dance in a sacred mindset or humility.
Kea is the family name of our Kumu Hula Paul K. Neves and in Hawaiian means
pure, white or snow.
Mokihana is the name of his wife and refers to the lei of Kaua’i that is very special
to Hawai’i’s peoples. Its fragrance and beauty is unique and not all people can
wear it. Wanda Mokihana Neves, his wife, symbolizes that rare person and Kumu
wants you to know that you are being asked to wear your uniqueness as a very,
very special lei Mokihana in Hālau Ha’a Kea o Mokihana.
Colors
The hālau colors are green, black and white.
Green, or ‘ōma’oma’o, represents the green forests and lawns of the Washington
D.C. area and the green of the lei Mokihana of Kaua’i. For Kumu Paul, green
represents constant growth and freshness.
Black, or ‘ele’ele, is for the inclusion of all colors and it means that all people are
welcome. Black, in the Hawaiian context, also symbolizes pō, the darkness by
which we can clearly see the stars that have guided the Hawaiian people since
time immemorial.
White, or ke’oke’o, denotes purity and clarity of spirit. When and if we are asked
to express the dance in public we will do so with love and respect for the Hawaiian
people and their culture and we will express ourselves in a way that moves our
audience to do the same. Hālau Ha’a Kea o Mokihana shares the same white and
black colors with our sister hālau in Hawai’i and California.
In Hawaii, Hālau Ha’a Kea o Akalā uses yellow, or melemele, as its main color.
Yellow is for the rising and setting sun over Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest
mountain, which shades Hilo, Hawai’i, the home of this hālau. Hālau Ha’a Kea o
Akalā, “The Kea hula style of a new day”, is named for Kumu Paul’s daughter.
In California, Hālau Ha’a Kea o Kinohi uses red, or ‘ula’ula, as its main color. Red is
for the volcanic region of Northern California and the town of Calistoga where the
hālau is located. This Pele-like area is the home of Hālau Ha’a Kea o Kinohi, “The
Kea hula style of a new beginning, and is named for Kumu Paul’s son.
The drum
The hālau does not have its own drum, or pahu, at this time but obtaining one is a
primary goal in 2007. Until then we are extremely grateful for the generosity of
Albert Adaong who is allowing us to use his drum.
Wanda Mokihana Neves' dancing inspires us all
