Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 11, 1 November 2012 — Alama sisters honored for dedication to hula [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Alama sisters honored for dedication to hula

By Lisa Asato An intimate Saturday morning awards luneheon turned into a full-blown, unscripted pā'ina Oct. 6, as sisters Leilani, 87, and Puanani, 82, Alama received Hula Grill WaikM's fifth annual I Ola Mau Ka Hula Award. Called "inseparable legends in the hula community," the sisters are the oldest active kumu hula today and have taught thousands of students at their respective hula studios over seven decades. On a day proclaimed "Puanani and Leilani Alama Day" by Governor Abercrombie, the two sisters wiped tears from their eyes as they were recognized through heartfelt speeches for living and exemplifying

Hawaiian traditions through hula. But above all, it was a day of fun. And after a short weleome to the private gathering of some 50 guests from as far afield as Virginia and Japan, restaurant manager Cris Pasquil kicked off the party with the words, "If anyone wouldlike to sing, dance, the fioor is yours." Puanani Alama joined in impromptu hula by a group of women, and everyone took turns dancing, including Hula Preservation Society's Maile Loo, nieee Te Moana Makolo and nieee Tanna Hee, who thanked Leilani Alama for raising her as a daughter after her mom died. "She always says, 'Make me proud.' Today, Aunty, I am proud of you." Puanani Alama's daughter, Pua-

nani Jung, a kumu hula in Orange County, California, also danced with her 12-year-old twin girls, Ku'upua and Ku'ulei, who earned the titles of Keiki Miss Hula 2011 and 20 12, respectively, at their loeal E Hula Mau eompeiiiion.

Adding to the fun with rascal, humorous speeches and uplifting hula were Robert Cazimero, Kimo Alama Keaulana and Ainsley Kelii Halemanu. The three kumu hula, along with Tony Conjugacion, were described as the aunties' "four

darlings" because "they're always there to support them. They never say 'no,' " Makolo noted. Keaulana told the crowd, "My hula life would not have been enriched if it weren't for Aunty Pua and Aunty Leinani. They were the standard." Cazimero said when it comes to the aunties, "there's no such thing as an 'acquaintance' " "Everyone is family. Everyone is friend. Everyone is loved," he said. As they have every year since 1940, the Alama sisters eonhnue to anchor the Nā Hula o Hawai'i Festival at Kapi'olani Park, and they regularly judge hula competitions. Leilani Alama, a past Aloha Week queen, still teaches five days a week at the Kaimukl studio she has taught at since 1943. Puanani, whose image graced the Lovely Hula Hands alhum cover, is the last living judge from the first Merrie Monarch Festival, whieh marks 50 years next year. To the crowd, Puanani pledged, "I'm going to teach iill I go to Heaven." ■

j MO'OMEHEU v > CULTURE f

Sisters Leilani, left, and Puanani Alama are this year's recipients of Hula Grill Waikīkī's I Ola Mau Ka Hula Award. Behind Ihem are Maile Loo, left, and Puanani's daughter, Puanani Jung, far right. - Photo: tynn Cook