Every Tuesday morning from 9:30am – 11:30am you can find Kumu Hula Dungca leading her Halau in dance at the Momilani Community Center. She has been teaching Hula in the community since 1983 with stops in Salt Lake, Moanalua Gardens and Aiea but now spends her time concentrating on her Pearl City Halau. “When I decided to teach in Pearl City a lot of my students came with me”, Kumu Dungca commented. She has a strong connection and bond with seniors in Hawaii and spends a lot of time with them. Kumu Dungca is also employed by the City & County of Honolulu as a Program Aid for senior citizens in Wahiawa.
Halau Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna has just returned from competing over the weekend in Kona on the Big Island at the 27th Annual Hawaii Kupuna Festival held on September 16 & 17. The Festival was sponsored by the City & County in Kona. The Halau placed second in two Kane categories.
Kumu Dungca explains how important Hula is to sustain a healthy lifestyle, “Hula is a great exercise and very enjoyable. It’s good for the arms and legs and mainly your mind. Hula becomes a habit.” This is obvious for Halau member Gladys Ihara who is dancing and enjoying Hula at the age of 93. “I’ll be 94 for next year’s Annual Hawaii Kupuna Festival. I can’t wait to go”, Ihara said.
Halau members practice and perform as one. It’s something to truly admire. They also have a great sense of humor. This could be seen with a few members in the group as I visited with them earlier in the week. Kumu Dungca puts it this way, “We’re one big happy family. We are known as the “Kau Kau Halau.” The group is always asking, where we going eat?”
The group volunteers their time to perform throughout the year at numerous community events, hospitals and care homes. They will perform at the Mayor’s City & County Craft Fair scheduled for November 21, 2009 at the Blaisdell. In December they will perform for family and friends during their annual Christmas Party to be held at the Okinawan Center in Waipio.
Kumu Dungca also teaches her Halau to dance to a selection of ethnic music and songs. Her goal is to expand the Hawaiian culture through Hula to other ethnicities.
MyPearlcity.com has provided video clips below of the Halau performing to Japanese, English, Hawaiian, and Patriotic music.
Hula Halau Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna led by Kumu Hula Rosemarie Dungca is a very special group of Kupuna. They sway with each day to the movements of the Hula. They live for the music and the lyrics of Aloha.
Check out our photo gallery for images of Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna.
Momilani Community Center is located at: 715 Hoomoana Street, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782
For information call: (808) 456-2073
Momilani Community Center is located at: 715 Hoomoana Street, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782
For information call: (808) 456-2073
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4knC4VYByQ
Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna led by Kumu Hula Rosemarie Dungca dances to Kimi to Itsumade mo/Koko ni Sachi Ari at Momilani Community Center in Pearl City on 9/22/09.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phlv-4KHZAk
Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna led by Kumu Hula Rosemarie Dungca dances to Hawaiian Lullaby at Momilani Community Center in Pearl City on 9/22/09.
Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna led by Kumu Hula Rosemarie Dungca dances to Pua Carnation at Momilani Community Center in Pearl City on 9/22/09.
Na Leo Nahenahe ‘O Na Kupuna led by Kumu Hula Rosemarie Dungca dances to God Bless America at Momilani Community Center in Pearl City on 9/22/09.