Hula Mai is a performing arts troupe. We teach, we learn, we dance, and we perform hula. Hula is known as the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people, and along with aloha, it allows people on the mainland to participate in an important part of ancient Hawaiian culture. Hula Mai is proud to have a part in the continuation of this art form here in Sonoma.
Our Ho`ike, or performance, is the culmination of the previous 12 months of learning, practice, and performance at other venues. It is our "big" show. The Hula in the Plaza is our thank you and give back to the people of Sonoma.
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| Alika - Ho`ike 2019 |
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Preparation for our 10th Anniversary Ho`ike began the moment our last Hula in the Plaza show ended. We take on everything that goes into a stage production, from creative concepts to soldering audio cables. Betty Ann creates the concept of the show and blocks it out, the dancers must learn the new dances and routines, Linda Bodwell, Jill Powers, Gail Ford, Becky Zyskowski, and Jana Cohen design and make many of the costumes you see on stage. Wendy Shepard and her son Max go to work on graphic design as Steph Brucker writes press releases and the show program. Bill Shepard videos the show, Gary Sugiyama mixes sound, and Craig Scheiner shoots still photos. Kokua, who help with anything that's needed, include Li Boccia, Ned Dillon, Alan DiPirro, Donna Keegan, Jeff Mott, Hideko Pond, Liz Quinn, Naomi Radtky, Steve Sowa and Lorie Thomas.
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Below are pictures from our 2019 10th Anniversary "Hula in the Plaza" show in the Grinstead Amphitheatre in Sonoma’s Central Plaza.
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You can watch video from this show by clicking HERE.
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| Hawaiian War Chant - Ho`ike 2019 |
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| Betty Ann Ka`ihilani Bruno, Hula Mai founder |
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| Pam Gilberd. Linda Balanesi |
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| Becky Zyskowski |
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| AJ Ames |
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| Kaui`i Medley |
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| Ava Burk and Betty Ann Bruno |
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| Wendy Shepard and Kim Douma lead the Maori dancers onstage |
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| Wendy Hayes, Celina Hall, Karyl Carter |
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| Becky Zyskowski and Sheryl Leighton |
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| Gail Ford does her 'helicopter'. |
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| Celina Hall |
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| Kim Douma |
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| Bob Miyashiro and his friend like it |
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| Li Boccia and his friends like it too |
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| Ava Burk, Karyl Carter, Betty Ann Bruno, perform kahiko |
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| Kahiko line |
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| Celina Hall dances Lae La Lae Lae |
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| Faye Brown dances Kalena Kai |
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Watch the `O Kalalau-He Motu video by click
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| Wendy Hayes, Pua Hone |
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| "We loved the hula festival. The costumes were so lovely and coordinated so well. It was a great show. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
"I loved the costumes. Pua Hone was outstanding with the use of the fans! "
"Loved those long red and black dresses....so pretty.”
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"Wow you all look sooooo beautiful! The costumes are amazing, keeping those changes straight and hoping you’re not missing a skirt would be crazy!!! I’m sure you all were concentrating so hard but laughing at the same time while you’re changing and moving so fast."
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| Wendy Shepard |
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| Wendy Shepard, Steph Brucker, Wendy Hayes |
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"...I loved the chanting and kahiko…"
"We had a great time ! Amazing dancing and so much fun! We could see the tremendous amount of work and practice to do all those different dances with such beauty of movement. Works the body and the mind!"
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"Wow! What a impressive Ho’ike!!! Congratulations to Hula Mai! It is a result of your inspiration and being your teaching! I wished I could have danced all night with you all."
"Congratulations! What a great show. The dancing and costumes and music were great. Smiling through every moment really enjoying yourself. Totally delightful. Good job!!!!”
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| Betty Ann Ka`ihilani Bruno, Hula Mai founder |
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| Celina Hall, Janie Roqui, Gail Ford, Maori dance line |
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"I loved the Maori dances and costumes and they were really skilled with the poi balls.”
"Bravo to you all. I can’t believe all that you have to remember and still look so graceful. The playing with poi balls was a huge crowd pleaser! So glad we came.”
"The hulas were beautiful, the costumes were wonderful, the ladies were great and it was a totally FAB performance. You have every reason to be proud of yourself and your dancers. The Maori dances were incredible and so authentic. However did you think that one up???”
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| Becky Zyskowski |
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"I did manage to pass out programs at the ho`ike, and really enjoyed being able to sit in the audience (although quite jet-lagged) - and see all the amazing performances. It was spectacular and wonderful to see everything come together so beautifully.
YOU DID IT AGAIN!!! Thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself with all of us. Memories that will last a lifetime!!"
Aloha, Donna
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| Lynda Morley-Mott and Aloha |
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"My congratulations on the best ever show last Saturday ! Beautifully trained and costumed dancers in an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere! The audience joined with the dancers in the happy experience of dancing and enjoying the afternoon together. Your direction and commentary helped to appreciate the
courage of Queen Liliuokalani who held her own against the greedy planters!”
"I thought your Ho'ike was absolutely wonderful! really wonderful to hear Kumu tell us the story behind the songs and hulas. The hula choreography was beautifully danced by all the hula sisters.
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| Linda Bodwell, Dina Smith, Lynda Morley-Mott |
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| Karyl Carter, Celina Hall, Sheryl Leighton |
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| Linda Balanessi, Jill Powers, Wendy Shepard |
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| BiBi Malvino, AJ Ames, and stage manager Vikki Williams |
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"Your group did the most wonderful numbers. Loved the music...it sounded great. My favorite was the dance in the white dresses with the black trim. The young blond girl, who I think is the granddaughter of the other dancer had the most beautiful hip movements.”
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| Lynda Morley-Mott and Celina Hall |
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| Betty Ann Ka`ihilani Bruno, Hula Mai founder |
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| "I loved watching your Kumu dance. It was such a lovely time. I loved every minute of your Ho'ike!! I felt that being at your Ho'ike was more like a gathering of family and friends than a show of performers and audience.”
"It was an absolutely stunning performance!!! The costumes were gorgeous, the dancers were gorgeous, EVERYTHING was gorgeous!!!”
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| Hawaiian War Chant fanale with Linda Bodwell surrounded by uli-uli |
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"I was so happy I could be of some help especially to the newer dancers. I had fun in the dressing room and was kept busy zipping zippers, attaching flowers and just being there as a calming influence, hopefully, to those who had not danced before in the plaza.
The hulas were beautiful, the costumes were wonderful, the ladies were great and it was a totally FAB performance.” --Lizzie
"You make us better wahine💕💋🌴🙌” --Faye
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Watch all the Ho`ike 2017 videos by clicking HERE.
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