Image search results - "Hula"
010-107_0779.jpg
Entrance to Ikaho Onsen. Ikaho Spa has two Hawaii connections. One is with Hawaiian Minister to Japan Robert W. Irwin who had a summer house in Ikaho.
011-107_0781.jpg
Ikaho is also a sister city of Hawaii island. During Aug. 5-7, 2003, Ikaho hosted the 7th King Kalakaua Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival featuring hula performances by numerous Japanese hula groups.
012-106_0691.jpg
In the evenings, Hawaii's top hula halau (winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii) performed as the festival's main event. Photo: Flags of Hawaii and Ikaho town (merged with Shibukawa in 2006).
013-106_0692.jpg
Town parking lot with a makeshift stage and main venue of the festival. The "Merrie Monarch" refers to King David Kalakaua who reigned over the Hawaiian Kingdom 1874-1891. He promoted hula in Hawaii as well as Japanese immigration to Hawaii.
014-108_0876.jpg
Canopy for the spectators fronting the main outdoor stage.
015-108_0872.jpg
Main stage where many Japanese hula troupes performed during the day for three days. Free admission.
016-108_0871.jpg
Tahitian dances were also performed.
017-108_0880.jpg
Hawaiian souvenirs for sale.
018-108_0887.jpg
Ikaho is famous for the Stone Steps lined with shops. A section of it also served as a second hula stage during the day.
019-108_0888.jpg
Hula on the Stone Steps 石段街
020-108_0857.jpg
Hula workshops are also offered during the day at cost. A famous kumu hula teacher from Hawaii teaches the class.
021-107_0788.jpg
Other workshops are held such as ukulele lessons and a lei-making class.
022-107_0796.jpg
In the evenings, the overall winner of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii performed on stage. In 2003, it was Hula Halau 'O Kamuela from Oahu. They performed both the ancient hula kahiko dances (pictured here) and modern auana dances in Ikah
023-108_0804.jpg
The Ikaho hula festival is officially sanctioned by The Merrie Monarch Festival, held in spring in Hilo, Hawaii. It is the most important and prestigious hula competition.
024-108_0808.jpg
Hula is also performed by men. These photos were taken during the 7th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival (Aug. 5-7, 2003).
024-IMG_4278.jpg
Hula dancers
025-108_0817.jpg
026-108_0829.jpg
They wore a variety of colorful costumes and used various hula instruments such as these frayed bamboo sticks called Pūʻili.
027-108_0830.jpg
Modern hula dances such as this one is mainly for tourist entertainment.
028-108_0827.jpg
029-108_0826.jpg
030-108_0831.jpg
031-107_0746.jpg
After the bamboo sticks, the girls used a gourd drum called ipu.
032-107_0749.jpg
Finally, they use feathered gourd rattles called Ulīʻulī.
033-107_0750.jpg
034-108_0835.jpg
035-108_0837.jpg
They are professional hula dancers, some of the best in the world.
036-108_0842.jpg
The kumu hula is Kamana'o Anson Kauionalani or Kaui for short. He does a solo dance here. The music was performed by a wonderful Hawaiian trio called 'Ale'a.
037-108_0849.jpg
Finale. Also see photos of the 2008 Ikaho Hawaiian Festival here.
046-IMG_4408.jpg
084-IMG_4666.jpg
The ceremony included hula chanting and dancing.
085-IMG_4674.jpg
086-IMG_4682.jpg
092-IMG_4721.jpg
Hula dancers watch the ceremony
101-IMG_9007.jpg
Hula dancing at a phallus festival?? (Click photo to learn why.)Because hula can also be considered as a sexually-suggestive dance. The way they sway the hips, etc., can be sexy enough to stir up your loins...
102-IMG_9016.jpg
Hula
103-IMG_9035.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
104-IMG_9018.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
105-IMG_9026.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
106-IMG_9031.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
fw056-20090808_3193.jpg
On Aug. 8, 2009 at 12:30 pm, they held the 1st Waraji Day Dance Contest on Ekimae-dori. (わらじDayダンス選手権)
fw057-20090808_3229.jpg
For a few hours, numerous dance groups performed in a contest. They even had a hula troupe dance, to my delight as I'm from Hawaii.
fw058-20090808_3216.jpg
Notice anything unusual about these hula dancers?
fw059-20090808_3200.jpg
Look at their footwear. They are wearing a pair of waraji straw sandals.
fw060-20090808_3221.jpg
Also see my YouTube video here.
fw061-20090808_3207.jpg
fw088-20090808_3589.jpg
Hula dancers
fw089-20090808_3587.jpg
Apparently, it was their first time to appear in this festival.
fw090-20090808_3591.jpg
They weren't wearing waraji.
fw091-20090808_3541.jpg
Also see my YouTube video here.
fw092-20090808_3537.jpg
fw093-20090808_3539.jpg
gi514-20130526-6661.jpg
Then I stumbled across this arch kite.
gi515-20130526-6660.jpg
To my delight, it was an arch kite of hula girls.
gi517-20130526-6686.jpg
The hula girls were joined by Awa Odori girls from Tokushima.
gi518-20130526-6674.jpg
They're even wearing a lei and a flower in their hair!!
gi519-20130526-6720.jpg
Huge arch kite of hula girls and Awa Odori dancers.
gi520-20130526-6696.jpg
Needless to say, this was my favorite kite at the festival. How did they know someone from Hawaii was coming?
gi521-20130526-6693.jpg
gi522-20130526-6719.jpg
Their feet fluttered in the wind and their hips rocked left and right like real hula dancers.
gi523-20130526-6871.jpg
gi524-20130526-6713.jpg
The Awa Odori dancers also danced great in the wind. (Watch my video.)
gi525-20130526-6845.jpg
gi526-20130526-6829.jpg
Hiko-nyan (Hikone Castle's official mascot) meets hula girls!
ha329-P1040932p.jpg
Hula lesson for kids at the Beach Theater in the Water Park.
ha330-P1040937.jpg
Hula lesson for kids at the Beach Theater in the Water Park.
ha331-P1040925.jpg
ha332-P1040910.jpg
ha333-P1040939.jpg
ha334-P1040876.jpg
Beach Theater shows are free, but they also sell tickets for the best seats for ¥600 to ¥800.
ha335-P1050065p.jpg
Colored seats are reserved and cost extra.
ha336-P1050083.jpg
Hula Girl Polynesian Revue at 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm at the Beach Theater.
ha337-P1050087.jpg
ha338-P1050092.jpg
ha339-P1050094.jpg
ha340-P1050101.jpg
ha341-P1050103.jpg
ha342-P1050108.jpg
The live band were all Japanese. All the dancers were Japanese and most are from Fukushima.
ha343-P1050111.jpg
Fire knife dancers are the highlight and crowd pleasers. They are Japanese, but well-trained and highly skilled with the fire.
ha344-P1050114.jpg
ha345-P1050118.jpg
ha346-P1050124.jpg
ha347-P1050127.jpg
ha348-P1050130.jpg
Great dancers and great show!
ha349-P1050131.jpg
ha350-P1050133.jpg
ha351-P1050135.jpg
ha352-P1050137.jpg
ha353-P1050140.jpg
ha354-P1050142.jpg
ha355-P1050146.jpg
ha356-P1050147.jpg
ha357-P1050148.jpg
ha358-P1050150.jpg
ha359-P1050154.jpg
ha360-P1050157.jpg
This is Maluhia Yukari, the leader of the hula girls. She was a pivotal in taking the lead following the 3/11 disasters and promoting Spa Resort Hawaiians on tour. She retired in June 2012. マルヒア由佳理
ha361-P1050164.jpg
ha362-P1050166.jpg
ha363-P1050174.jpg
At the end of the show, people who paid for reserved seats could have their picture taken with the hula girls.
ha364-P1040962.jpg
The Hula Museum shows the history of Spa Resort Hawaiians first established as Joban Hawaiian Center in 1966.
ha365-P1040965.jpg
Congratulatory letter from the Governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, upon the opening of the Hula Museum.
ha366-P1040966.jpg
Congratulatory letter from the mayor of Kauai upon the opening of the Hula Museum.
ha367-P1050020.jpg
How Spa Resort Hawaiians got its start.
ha368-P1050027.jpg
Recruitment of hula girls.
ha369-P1050029.jpg
ha370-P1050030.jpg
ha371-P1050036.jpg
ha372-P1050014.jpg
ha373-P1050037.jpg
ha374-P1050048.jpg
Shortly after Joban Hawaiian Center opened in 1966, famous singer Aunty Genoa Keawe from Hawaii performed here.
ha375-P1050040.jpg
ha376-P1050043.jpg
ha377-P1050054.jpg
ha378-P1040969.jpg
Hawaiian movie posters.
ha379-P1040971.jpg
Hawaiian records by Japanese artists.
ha380-P1040982.jpg
The second room of the Hula Museum introduces hula.
ha381-P1040987.jpg
ha382-P1040988.jpg
ha383-P1040995.jpg
The 2006 comedy movie, "Hula Girl" was a major hit and made Spa Resort Hawaiians famous again. Awards given to the movie.
ha384-P1040994.jpg
Autographs by the actors and actresses in the movie, "Hula Girl."
ha385-P1040998.jpg
Autographs by the actors and actresses in the movie, "Hula Girl."
ha386-P1040999.jpg
Autographs by the actors and actresses in the movie, "Hula Girl."
ha387-P1050002.jpg
ha388-P1050011.jpg
The Hula Museum also has a small stage where this band performed at 12:30 pm.
ha389-P1050013.jpg
Hula implements.
ha389a-hawaiians.youtube
My video of Spa Resort Hawaiians. Visit Fukushima, visit Spa Resort Hawaiians!
ik010-20080804_7354.jpg
Main venue of the Ikaho Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival held every summer in Ikaho Spa, Gunma Prefecture since 1997. It is on a city-operated parking lot. 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバル会場
ik011-20080804_7360.jpg
The main venue has two large adjoining tents. The tent on the left covers the stage, and the one on the right covers the audience seats. The place is ringed by outdoor shops selling Hawaiian goods (mainly clothing).
ik012-20080803_7070.jpg
About 600 seats at the main venue. Ikaho's connection to Hawaii lies with the summer residence of Robert Walker Irwin, the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century.
ik013-20080803_7072.jpg
The Hawaiian festival's opening ceremony was held on the festival's first day on Aug. 3, 2008. Among Japan's many hula festivals, this one is unique since it is organized by a city government based on sister-city ties.
ik014-20080803_7076.jpg
The opening ceremony included a few speeches and a ukulele performance by Mr. San'uemon Chigira, the chairman of the festival committee.
ik015-20080803_7091.jpg
Short greetings by Luana Saiki-Kawelu, Assistant Director of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Ikaho's Hawaiian festival is Japan's only hula event officially endorsed by the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.
ik016-20080803_7101.jpg
A few words by Kau'i Kamana'o, kumu hula of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela who was the festival's guest performer and overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.
ik017-20080803_7104.jpg
Kumu hula Kunewa Mook also speaks at the opening ceremony. In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa. In Japan, all cities, towns, and villages have their own official logo and flag.
ik018-20080803_7110.jpg
Kumu hula Aloha Dalire, instructor of the Hawaiian seminars during the festival, also greets the audience. アロハ・ダリレ
ik019-20080803_7114.jpg
Thomas Goya, from Hilo and president of the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, speaks as a representative of the County of Hawai'i, Ikaho's sister city. ハワイ島日系人協会会長
ik020-20080803_7120.jpg
Tommy Hirano, Honorary Consul-General of Japan from Hilo, Hawaii also speaks. It was his first visit to Ikaho.
ik021-20080805_7662.jpg
Signboard at the entrance to Ikaho Spa. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス。
ik022-20080804_7281.jpg
Main venue of the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. メイン会場
ik023-20080804_7283.jpg
Shops around the main venue.
ik024-20080803_7127.jpg
More shops on the lower level.
ik025-108_0880.jpg
Shops on the lower level.
ik026-20080804_7255.jpg
During Aug. 3-6, 2008, about 390 hula groups (totaling 4,700 people) performed on this stage. About 838 hula groups applied to perform, and only 390 could be selected to appear.
ik027-20080804_7257.jpg
Every 4 minutes, a new group of hula dancers went on and performed on stage. This went on for four days 10 am to 6 pm (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).
ik028-20080804_7261.jpg
The first day featured Keiki Hula (hula by children).
ik029-20080804_7263.jpg
Once upon a time, hula in Japan was mainly done by elderly women. Not anymore as hula's popularity has spread to all ages in Japan.
ik030-20080804_7276.jpg
All the seats were filled during the all-day performances. So many hula groups applied to perform during the festival that Ikaho had to draw lots to decide who could appear.
ik031-20080804_7275.jpg
For many women, hula is good exercise, recreational fun, or a chance to look and feel like a different person. The colorful costumes, flowers, attractive movements, and glamorous setting are all very appealing.
ik032-20080804_7280.jpg
Kupuna 4分ごとに各フラチームがステージで出演。
ik033-20080804_7377.jpg
The famous Stone Steps of Ikaho. Ikaho is on a mountain slope, and the Stone Steps goes through the center of the hot spring town. It is lined with shops and inns. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス
ik034-20080804_7383.jpg
One section of the Stone Steps also served as another venue for Ikaho's Hawaiian Festival. 「街角フラ」石段にて
ik035-20080804_7384.jpg
This venue is called "Machikado Hula." (Street corner hula). It went on from 11 am to 5 pm during the four-day festival (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).
ik036-20080804_7388.jpg
The audience sit on the Stone Steps to watch the "Street corner hula." So what did they do when it rained?
ik037-20080804_7393.jpg
A few hula dancers take a break after performing their number on the Stone Steps.
ik038-20080803_7200.jpg
A total of five 90-min. Hawaiian seminars were held during Ikaho's Hawaiian festival in Aug. 2008, and they were all taught by kumu hula Aloha Dalire who was very well received by the (thrilled) students.
ik039-20080804_7252.jpg
Kumu hula Aloha Dalire explains that she is a 7th-generation kumu hula in her family, and produced five Miss Aloha Hulas at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, including all three of her daughters and Kuhi Suganuma, the 2008 Miss Aloha Hula.
ik040-20080804_7428.jpg
Aloha Dalire taught seminars in hula history, Hawaiian expression, and lei-making (pictured here). She brought a boxful of a'ali'i flowers for lei-making. All the students had heard of the flower, but it was the first time for them to see it.
ik041-20080805_7665.jpg
Aloha also taught two hula workshops. For the first workshop, she taught the song "Nani Lawa'i" (sung by Na Palapalai). First, she had the students close their eyes and listen to the song.
ik042-20080806_7694.jpg
Aloha Dalire teaching hula in Ikaho. The Hawaiian workshops were held at the Ikaho Kaikan Hall in central Ikaho. アロハ・ダリレが教えるフラセミナー
ik043-20080805_7672.jpg
For the second hula workshop, Aloha taught the song "Nani Manoa." The workshops were held at Ikaho Kaikan hall. 伊香保会館
ik044-20080805_7675.jpg
It cost 30,000 yen to take all five seminars or 10,000 yen for one seminar. The hula seminars were the most popular. Free ukulele lessons were also taught at a different venue by a Japanese teacher.
ik045-20080806_7695.jpg
Students who attended all five Hawaiian seminars were given a Certificate of Completion signed by Aloha Dalire who enjoyed teaching the seminars. She then freely signed autographs and took pictures with the students.
ik046-20080803_7237.jpg
From 7 pm to 8:30 pm, the Hawaiian Waiwai Party allowed anybody to go up front and dance the hula. Hawaiian music provided by a Japanese Hawaiian band (Dan Yamamoto & Ikaho Hawaiians).
ik047-20080803_7232.jpg
Hawaiian Waiwai Party ("Waiwai" means boisterous.)
ik048-20080803_7241.jpg
After the Waiwai Party was a nightly drawing for prizes. People staying at any Ikaho inn/hotel would receive a lottery ticket which they put in this large box. The grand prize was a trip for two to Hawaii. The prize drawing was held on all four nights.
ik049-20080803_7242.jpg
Guests of Honor from Hawaii were introduced to the crowd.
ik050-20080806_7802.jpg
The nightly main event was an hour-long Merrie Monarch hula show by Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, the overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawaii.
ik051-20080806_7787.jpg
Every year, the overall winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival is invited to perform at Ikaho's Hawaiian festival. They started with a hula kahiko (ancient hula) dance.
ik052-20080804_7577.jpg
This was a song about paddling a canoe, I think.
ik053-20080804_7584.jpg
Dreamy stage lighting.
ik054-20080806_7853.jpg
Colorful costumes and lots of eye candy.
ik055-20080806_7940.jpg
Crowd-pleasing performance.
ik056-20080806_8087.jpg
Kumu hula Kau'i Kamana'o does a solo number.
ik057-20080806_8110.jpg
Many more photos of this show here.
ik058-20080806_7700.jpg
On the last day of the festival on Aug. 6, 2008, a closing ceremony was held at 8 pm before the prize drawing and Merrie Monarch Show. Luana Saiki-Kawelu gives a few words.
ik059-20080806_7710.jpg
Aloha Dalire also speaks during the closing ceremony.
ik060-20080806_7718.jpg
Thomas Goya during the closing ceremony.
ik061-20080806_7728.jpg
Tommy Hirano during the closing ceremony.
ik062-20080806_7737.jpg
The Honorable Jiichi Kogure, mayor of Shibukawa, lauds the festival during the closing ceremony. 渋川市長 木暮治一
ik063-20080806_8217.jpg
Mayor Kogure speaks with Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu after the Merrie Monarch Show.
ik064-20080806_8262.jpg
On the last night of the festival, a farewell party was held for the Hawaii delegation. Shibukawa city council chairman Katsuaki Oshima (left) and Mayor Kogure pose with members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela.
ik065-20080806_8276.jpg
Members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela try Japanese-style dancing during the farewell party.
ik066-20080807_8315.jpg
Group shot of the Hawaii gang and Ikaho Hawaiian Festival Committee.
ik067-20080805_7664.jpg
Hawaiian celebrities Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu pose with yet another group of Japanese hula dancers in a hotel lobby in Ikaho.
ik068-20080804_7362.jpg
More photos here.
ka010-20080804_7436.jpg
Hula Halau'O Kamuela from Oahu won the overall title at the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawai'i. The overall winner is also invited to perform at Ikaho Spa's annual Hawaiian Festival held in August.
ka011-20080804_7437.jpg
For the 12th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival held during Aug. 3-6, 2008, Hula Halau'O Kamuela performed every night for an hour as the festival's main event (free admission). 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバルのメリーモナークショー
ka012-20080804_7439.jpg
Their first number was hula kahiko (ancient hula). The performance was held from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm. On the third night (Aug. 5), the show was unfortunately cancelled due to heavy nighttime rains.
ka013-20080804_7441.jpg
For the three shows they did perform, each show was slightly different. For people who saw all three shows, they got something different from each show.
ka014-20080806_7741.jpg
Hula kahiko started with a chant. ショーは夜の8:45〜9:45、フラカヒコで始まった。8月5日の第三の夜は雷雨のため中止となった。これらの写真は4日と6日に撮影。毎晩、ちょっと違うショーだった
ka015-20080806_7747.jpg
They used one 'uli'uli, a feathered gourd rattle.
ka016-20080806_7752.jpg
The photos on this page were taken on two different nights.
ka017-20080806_7760.jpg
Many of the girls were still high school students.
ka018-20080806_7762.jpg
Two of the girls were students at the high school I graduated from in Honolulu.
ka019-20080806_7764.jpg
ka020-20080806_7765.jpg
ka021-20080806_7767.jpg
One of my favorite shots.
ka022-20080806_7770.jpg
ka023-20080806_7773.jpg
ka024-20080806_7780.jpg
ka026-20080806_7794.jpg
On the left side of the stage was the Hawaiian flag.
ka027-20080806_7796.jpg
ka028-20080806_7798.jpg
ka029-20080806_7800.jpg
ka030-20080804_7447.jpg
ka031-20080804_7458.jpg
ka032-20080804_7463.jpg
ka033-20080804_7464.jpg
ka034-20080804_7467.jpg
Backbend was a real crowd pleaser.
ka035-20080804_7468.jpg
After the backbend.
ka036-20080804_7470.jpg
ka037-20080804_7471.jpg
Music was provided by Puka on bass, Aaron Sala on keyboard and Kunewa Mook on ukulele.
ka038-20080804_7476.jpg
More eye candy with colorful, shimmering grass skirts.
ka039-20080804_7479.jpg
ka040-20080804_7481.jpg
ka041-20080804_7482.jpg
ka042-20080804_7487.jpg
ka043-20080804_7488.jpg
ka044-20080804_7483.jpg
ka045-20080804_7491.jpg
ka046-20080804_7493.jpg
A touch of elegance with this solo number.
ka047-20080804_7498.jpg
ka048-20080804_7509.jpg
ka049-20080806_8028.jpg
ka050-20080806_8029.jpg
ka051-20080806_8044.jpg
ka052-20080806_8053.jpg
ka053-20080806_8054.jpg
ka054-20080806_8020.jpg
Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.
ka055-20080806_8038.jpg
ka056-20080806_8041.jpg
Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem performs at Ikaho, Japan. She later became Miss Aloha Hula 2010. Shadows on her velvety gown look good.
ka057-20080806_8049.jpg
Her lit arms pierce the dark...
ka058-20080804_7512.jpg
Kumu hula Kau'i Kamanao in a cheerful duet.
ka059-20080804_7517.jpg
ka060-20080804_7522.jpg
ka061-20080804_7528.jpg
ka062-20080804_7535.jpg
ka063-20080804_7536.jpg
ka064-20080804_7538.jpg
ka065-20080804_7540.jpg
ka066-20080806_7827.jpg
Hula girl
ka067-20080806_7833.jpg
Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.
ka068-20080806_7837.jpg
Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem
ka069-20080806_7839.jpg
In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa, the sister city of the County of Hawai'i (island of Hawai'i or the Big Island).
ka070-20080806_7850.jpg
ka071-20080806_7858.jpg
ka072-20080806_7862.jpg
ka073-20080806_7865.jpg
ka074-20080806_7882.jpg
ka075-20080806_7866.jpg
ka076-20080806_7872.jpg
Love
ka077-20080806_7875.jpg
354 files on 2 page(s) 1