Hawaii Tribune-Herald Sunday, April 1, 2018 17
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described Ka‘iulani, who attempted
to restore the monarchy, as “the
last hope of the Hawaiian nation.”
“I want to be as strong as Ka‘iulani
was,” Nohealani Kalima said. “I can
relate to her making her journey to
the mainland to go to school and
later to stand for her people, as I’m
trying to stand for my people and
my family. This hula gives me the
opportunity to connect more strongly
to my mom’s side of my family on
Kaua‘i. I haven’t had the opportunity
to see them that often or to be
on that island as often as I’ve been
on Maui and Oahu. To learn about
this hula and take it to that place on
Kaua‘i gives me a deeper sense of
who I am and where I come from.”
The ‘auana will be “Sanoe,” a
song credited to Queen Lili‘uokalani.
The musicians will include Lehua
Kalima, Iwalani Kalima’s sister and
Nohealani’s aunt, Shawn Pimental
and Robert Cazimero, whose version
is thought by many to be the definitive
modern rendition of the song.
The song was one of those sung
Jan. 17 at Iolani Palace to commemorate
the 125th anniversary of the
overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
“I was in awe because I chose
the song. I thought, ‘I guess it was
meant to be,’” Iwalani Kalima said.
Also born into her hula lineage
is 21-year-old Asialynn Genoa
Kailhilihi‘ulaonalehua‘ohopoe Yap,
representing Halau Manaola, the
Kohala halau under the direction of
her mother, kumu hula Nani Lim Yap.
Yap is multitalented, a singer-musician
who plays traditional Hawaiian
music on upright bass with her dad,
Ed Yap, and her aunt, Lorna Lim, in
the atrium of the Mauna Lani Bay
Hotel. And as DJ Asiadoll, she is an
electronic DJ who creates the music
for the runway fashion shows of her
brother, designer Manaola Yap. She
also won a Pele Gold Award for her
music for the 2016 ‘Ohina Short
Film Showcase entry “The Craft.”
Yap said her cousin, Miss Aloha
Hula 2006 Bernice Namakana
Davis-Lim, had an influence on her
decision to enter the competition.
“When my mom guys asked me
if I wanted to, I was, like, ‘Yeah,
sure, why not?’ What better way
to represent myself, my family
and our halau and our traditions,”
Yap said. “It’s such a prestigious
event, so I’m really excited.”
Yap’s mele kahiko is a chant
called “‘Aia ‘O ‘Awini Pali Ali‘i
Hula‘ana,” which Lim Yap said will
“take it back to where we come
from, Kohala, for Kamehameha.”
“When Kamehameha was born,
his mother, Keku‘iapoiwa, wanted to
take him away because she was afraid
Alapa‘inui, the ruling chief, would
kill him, because it was predicted
he would be a great leader and that
he would be the filial chief,” Lim
Yap said. “And that’s why Nae‘ole
became the runner who took the
child to the safety of ‘Awini.”
For her ‘auana, Yap will dance to
Charles E. King’s “Mi Nei” (“How
About Me”), a song popularized
by the Kahauanu Lake Trio.
“When you look at the words of
the song, it describes someone who
is searching for love,” Lim Yap said.
“In that song, you speak of all the
attributes that you have and you’re
sharing that with someone. ‘Will you
just take a look at me? You’ll find
that here is where the beauty is.’”
Musical accompaniment will be
provided by Lim Yap, Lorna Lim,
Sonny Lim and Kevin Kealoha.
“I’m very thankful to be a part of
this family. There’s a lot of support
and my kupuna are standing behind
me. I’m definitely grateful for that,”
Yap said. “Music is a part of me, hula
is a part of me and my family is a
huge aspect of that, of myself, also.”
Dancing From page 15