‘Recalling Hawaii’ to be staged free at KBH Tiki Terrace

“Recalling Hawaii,” a heartfelt hula theatre chronicle, has been performed in Germany, Switzerland and across Hawaii.
KAANAPALI – West Siders can savor a taste of “Recalling Hawaii” Friday night (May 2) free-of-charge at a performance hosted by the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (KBH) from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Tiki Terrace.
“‘Recalling Hawaii’ is a heartfelt hula theatre chronicle awakening the past, revealing the present and the future of Hawaii through imagery, music and dance,” Irene Sutherland announced in a recent press release on behalf of Ka ‘Imi Na’auao O Hawai’i Nei Institute.
The production is the creation of Roselle Keli’ihonipua (Lindsey) Bailey, founder of the nonprofit Ka ‘Imi Na’auao O Hawai’i Nei Institute and Kahiko Halapa’i Hula Alapa’i hula halau.
“Recalling Hawaii” has dazzled audiences across the globe.
Kumu Hula Sharon Ioana (Bailey) Balidoy of Hula Alapa’i Malu’ulu’olele will direct the Friday night show at KBH
“‘Recalling Hawaii’ is an educational production. The more we do it, the more we learn of our ali’i and their visions, accomplishments, struggles and times. We learn of our environment and our connections. It is purposeful, respectful, educational and entertaining,” Balidoy explained.
“We will be doing a segment of ‘Recalling Hawaii’ at Kaanapali Beach Hotel,” Balidoy advised.
Maile Kinimaka of the Lahainaluna High School Class of 2013 has been with the halau since she was nine years old.
“I have danced all of the performances of ‘Recalling Hawaii,’ ” the daughter of John and Lawena Kinimaka told the Lahaina News.
“We had two shows in Germany, one in Switzerland, one in Kauai, Maui, Hilo and Oahu,” she said.
“This has been a great learning experience,” she observed.
Kinamaka’s “hula sister,” Laurie Lei (Kam) DeGama (No Ka Oi Deli), has danced in three of the “Recalling Hawaii” shows.
“I performed for the Maui, Hilo and Oahu performance, and Whitney (her daughter) did Maui and Oahu; she started at age five. I’ve been dancing with Sharon Balidoy off and on from 1986.” DeGama said.
“It’s not just a hula show,” DeGama added. “The show itself is very educational about the history of Hawaii and all the changes we went through.”
DeGama will not be performing Friday night at the Tiki Terrace, but other West Maui names will be onstage (including Kinimaka); among them are Kamalani Ka’eo-Kanikoa; Ui Baricuatro and her two daughters, Kamahie and Kealoha; June Ka’aihue; and Al Nip.
Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s contribution to Ka’ Imi Na’auao O Hawai’i Nei Institute for the Friday night performance will help pay for transportation costs to the eighth “Recalling Hawaii” show slated in California on June 21 at Dominican University of California in San Rafael.
“I think of KBH as a very supportive and nurturing hotel – nurturing their employees, their guests and the community. They provide many opportunities for halau, canoe clubs and other community organizations. I am grateful for their vision and kokua,” Balidoy said.
Donations from the public are also being accepted.
“Roselle Bailey would graciously accept sponsors to pay for the dancers’ airfares (to California). Please visit kaimi.org and attend this Friday’s show from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Tiki Terrace or call me at 248-7752,” Sutherland said.