Fairbairn 'Ohana Fundraiser for ODG!

Aloha e kākou! I had the privilege of being born and raised on Maui, where I will always call home no matter where my feet are planted. It taught me the respect and humility that I have carried into life as a parent, spouse and community member.

Though we try to make it back home once a year to visit family, enjoy our favorite local foods, and soak in the unmatched natural beauty, we regularly yearn to go back far more often than funds & time allow.

That's where hula comes in! Being a part of this hālau and reimmersing myself in Hawaiian culture has helped to, in all honesty, bring me back to life after years of depression. I truly love dancing & learning alongside my hula sisters, and Kumu Kaponookalani holds a very special place in my heart. It's an honor to be trusted with the knowledge and artistry shared throughout our lineage, and has deepened my connection to home.

My greatest gift, however, has been the opportunity to be a Kōkua for our beloved keiki class, Papa Hinahina. Every Saturday morning, my daughters and I join their hula sisters and brothers (now almost 25 strong!) for mele, 'ōlelo and hula. It's inspiring to see how much their love for hula has grown. Mākena dances with an elegant confidence beyond her 8 years, and has a profound memory for 'ōlelo. Kaimana is drawn to the role of ho'opa'a, often asking Kumu if she can practice her ipu heke and 'oli alongside her. I often hear her chanting not just her own 'oli, but those she picks up from observing my class, as well.

This year, our goal as a halau is to send another dedicated group of haumana to study under Master Kumu Hula Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and perform with other hālau in our lineage on O'ahu in October. I had the pleasure of attending 2 O'ahu trips, and all of the hard work to prepare along with the intense learning & performance schedule of the trip created core memories that furthered my love and appreciation for hula.

This October, I would love to bring Mākena along to experience the trip for her birthday, and to mark the start of her 4th year of hula. Your support during this Big Day of Giving season will help not just our 'ohana, but allow our haumāna to further our journey as a hālau.

Me ke aloha pumehana,

Makanaalohaokalani, Mākena e Kaimana