Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 12, 1 December 2023 — Healing Through Performing Arts [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Healing Through Performing Arts

V E 'ONIPA'A KAKOU V ^ BE STEADFAST *

By Ka'ohinani Daniels All kamali'i are destined for greatness. Lili'uokalani Trust (LT) has been hard at work on its 2045 strategic plan, spanning early

childhood (ages 0-5), youth programs (ages 6-18), and opportunity youth services (ages 16-26). Partnering with mission-aligned Ha-wai'i-based and national and international organizations who reciprocate shared learning, aloha, and hō'ihi is part of our kuleana to fulfill LT's vision of "E Nā Kamalei Lupalupa." LT has an ongoing partnership with New York City-based Gibney Dance. This multi-faceted dance organization taps "into the vast potential of movement, creativity, and performance to effect social change and personal transformation." LT recently brought their HANDS ARE FOR HOLDING(S (HAFH) program to Hawai'i for the Queen's beneficiaries - and the experience was deep and impactful. HAFH is a youth-centered workshop series that uses dance and movement to engage in conversations about healthy

relationships, boundaries, respect, and ehoiee in everyday interactions. As part of the cultural grounding that is a hallmark of all LT programs and services, the partnership began with oli, mele, and hula, honoring Queen Lili'uokalani. The collaborative workshop series created a healing space for kamali'i to express their feelings and experiences as they connected to themselves, eaeh other, and the Queen. Kīpuka Leihano [LT's Kapolei location whieh hosted the workshops] was filled with energy, deep conversation, music, and laughter. "This program was really great, and I had so mueh fun...the space felt safe, and I felt loved. I had so mueh fun learning with Gibney and creating a new dance," said LT 'ōpio, Palehua. "Gibney gave me the opportunity to reflect on myself, my relationships, and my friendships. This program was life-changing! Ihank you so mueh!" In addition to Gibney Dance, LT partnered with Hale Kipa and Kanaka Maoli director composer, and choreographer Joshua "Baba" Kamoani'ala Tavares, who shared his original mele and hula with the kamali'i. "The mele and hula, He Mele Mana Wahine, was composed and choreographed in honor of Lili'uokalani, as well as the young mana wāhine in our hui, as an inspiration to embody and honor our Queen and her legacy," Tavares said. The synergy between oli, mele, hula, movement, conversation, and pu'uhonua of the Queen's space allowed kamali'i to share and heal in ways that exceeded the expected outcomes of all of mākua present. E ola e nā kamalei lupalupa! To learn more about Lili'uokalani Trust's partnership with Gibney, please contact Ka'ohinani Daniels at kdaniels@onipaa.org. ■ Kaohinani Daniels is from Ka'elepulu, Kailua, O'ahu, and is humbled to serve Queen Lili'uokalani and LT's mission by co-creating perfortning arts programming with and for LT teammates and kamali'i.

HANDS ARE F0R H0LDING is a youth-centered workshop series thot uses donce ond movement to engoge in conversotions obout heolthy relotionships, boundories, respect, ond ehoiee. Picture (l-r front) ore Polehuo, Poli'ohu, Chioro ond Melonie. Kopilino is in the bock row. - Courtesy Photo