Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 4, 1 April 2001 — HANANA KŪIKAWĀ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HANANA KŪIKAWĀ

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īehani Kealamailani Gonzado reigns over hula festival, air waves

By Manu Boyd £ £ ~tr ~Tepa Kiani " (flexible whīp) is a name Ē / chant for Kinoiki, revered and admired sister of Queen Kapi'olani -

just the kind of woman Tehani Gonzado wanted to emulate. I "When we were selecting material for the Miss Aloha Hula competition, I knew I wanted to do a hula noho (sitting dance)," said Gonzado. "Aunty Paleka (Kumu Hula Paleka Mattos) learned 'Uepa KianV from her kumu, Sam

Nae'ole. After researching the biography of Kinoiki Kekaulike, 1 knew that mele was fitting. She was strong and confident," Gonzado explained. In a cramped studio at Dole Cannery, Miss Aloha Hula 2000 Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado glows - void of makeup, designer duds and gold bracelets bearing her many hula titles. Just plain

niceness that shines from the inside. Not long after dancing off with the coveted Merrie Monarch soloist title, Gonzado gave interviews at radio stations - fatefully leading to a career as an on-air personality. "I interned at FM 100 and eventually

got my own show. For three I months now, I've been on Island I Rhythm 98.5 FM," Gonzado I explained, noting that she still I prefers Hawaiian to the reggae fare I she serves up eaeh morning. "Tehani" means "passionate I love" in Tahitian, and passion is what she approaches her varied

endeavors with. "I probably don't fit the mold of what most people might expect a 'Miss Hula' to be like. ī'm kind of 'out there,' sort of controversial in the kinds of things we do and talk about," said Gonzado, sitting with partners Augie T. and Lanai Boy. "She's off," laughed Lanai. Gonzado takes on a different look eaeh time she

performs. One photograph is not like the next, reflecting a kind of transformation that occurs when she dances. Her charisma has landed her magazine covers and eameo appearances. "I've done some travelling - several trips to Japan, and have been invited to perform at the Brothers Cazimero's Lei Day concert. Dancing at last summer's tribute to Iz (Kamakawiwo'ole) was awesome," she said. Perhaps her 'auana performance of " Ku 'u Ipo i ka He 'e Pu 'eone " — the Princess Likelike classic recalling a moment of passion — put her over the edge. "Unele Robert (Cazimero) always said he would sing for me," she said, remembering the rush on stage in Hilo last year. "It was magic, and I'm so thankful to everyone who helped out." Even performers have favorite performers. "I really like Anita Baker," Gonzado said, although all forms of music - except Country - appeal to her. Her favorite hula dancer? "Pi'ilani Smith. 1' 11 never forget her performance when she won Miss Aloha Hula (1989). "She transformed, too." ■

Lanai, īehani and Augie