**Didn’t conduct expert interview until Friday evening

I did my expert interview with my mentor Kumu Hula Mapuana Samonte. She is the head

kumu of the halau I am a part of. The interview was suppose to happen last week Friday (9-20-

19); however she got an unexpected call from a popular Hawaiian band, Ahumanu, to

accompany them to Japan. So she did not get back to Maui until this past Wednesday. Since

Halau is only held on Fridays, we met before class. We talked for roughly 30 minutes, and I am

very happy with how the interview went.

One of the first things we talked about was being a teacher and her specific teaching

style. She informed me that her style of teaching is “Kaona”, defined as learning multiple

interpretations. For example, you learn the literal part of the dance, then dive into the cultural

meaning. We then dived into how I should teach and how to approach it. She explained to me

that the hardest part about teaching is gaining the respect of the students/ peers. Since I am

teaching people around the same age as me it can be difficult to take control and be a teacher.

That was one of the most helpful parts we talked about.

The next thing we talked about that was extremely helpful was about the costuming for

the luau this year. I asked her about hair syles for the girls, as well as adornments. She informed

me about how you can’t freeze the Kupe’e and Lei Po’o, but you can put them in the fridge.

Also, the Plumeria is the “hula flower”, which I did not know. I also learned that the reason

Kahiko dances use a lot of green accessories, is for respect towards the hula goddess Laka. The

goddess is told to of been draped in greener, and is associated with forestry. That was really

interesting and was very helpful.

 Lastly, one highlight from the interview was when we talked about how I can get

everyone more engaged with talking about cultural related things. So, I have decided to do a

Mana’o, or sharing of thoughts when I do my next Hawaiian club meeting. She told me that if I

choose to talk about the Mauna Kea situation to leave politics out of the subject, and make sure

that everything remains positive. Kumu told me that a Mana’o will be a good way to teach

culture in an engaging style so I am definitely going to do that. Overall I am extremely happy

with how the interview went, and I think there is a lot more I can learn and take to Hawaiian

club.