When most people think of Hawaii, beautiful beaches, the sweet scent of plumeria-laden hula dancers and a luau at the local five-star resort may come to mind. But, what may seem like just another beautiful spectacle to vacationing tourists is actually based in the sacred traditions of the Hawaiian culture. In Pleasanton, we are lucky to have a wide variety of opportunities to learn about these traditions and the people who pass them along.
Nani Lozier shares her love of hula with the seniors at the Pleasanton Senior Center. Raised in Hawaii by her “auntie,” Lozier grew up speaking the Hawaiian language and dancing traditional hula.
“Hula tells the tale of ancient peoples,” Lozier explained. “Before written language, Hawaiians recorded their history through stories which were then interpreted into dance. In order for this history to pass on to future generations, we must keep the old dances pure and alive.”
While the term “hula” refers to movement and gestures, the most important component of hula is “mele,” the story. Meles are records of cultural information that are then expressed through hand gestures and foot motifs. Each hula is a very exact dance. One wrong hand movement or step can change or lose the original story, which is why accurate technique is vital.
Lozier has volunteered at the Senior Center for the past two years, leading hula classes every Monday morning at 10 a.m.
“My students at the Senior Center love the sense of history. I translate the story while we learn the steps and movements,” Lozier said.
For those interested in learning more about Hawaiian culture, Lozier encourages them to visit the Hula Festival at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in November.
“People come from all over the world to share the love of hula and Hawaiian culture,” she said.
And you don’t have to be from Hawaii to appreciate the culture. Terri Ruggeri, a Pleasanton resident and self-proclaimed “haole,” or foreigner in Hawaiian, teaches hula through the Dublin and Livermore recreation centers. She first fell in love with hula when she watched a class at her daughter’s dance studio.
“Hula is a beautiful, spiritual style of dance,” Ruggeri said. “It is an ethnic art form that shares the ‘aloha spirit.'”
Ruggeri began studying with a “kumu” (Hawaiian for teacher) and enjoyed it so much that she decided to start teaching classes herself.
“We are all members of the human race,” said Ruggeri. “Hula brings us back to what truly matters: love, spirituality, connectedness to nature and the Earth. It is about respect.”
Many different styles of hula have been passed down over the generations and, as with any art form, styles evolve and change. Many Mainland kumus have chosen to veer from traditional styles and incorporate newer interpretations. The trick is finding balance between the old and the new.
“My native Hawaiian teachers took the time to teach me the stories and legends. If the traditional hula is only shared with natives, this valuable art form and the peoples’ history will die on the Island,” Rugerri said. Now in semi-retirement, Rugerri encourages others to embrace the “gift of hula.”
Gloria Akamai Ruiz, an experienced hula teacher who runs the Hula Makana Lani school located in Dublin and Livermore, also incorporates the tradition of luau in her love of Hawaiian culture. In ancient Hawaii, men and women ate separately, and women and commoners were forbidden certain delicacies. These traditional practices were abolished in 1819 by King Kamehameha II and, in a symbolic act, a feast was held where everyone ate together in celebration. It was then the luau was born.
“We have luaus and ho’ikes (recitals) every year to spread the ‘aloha spirit,'” said Ruiz. “It’s so we can share what we have learned and bring awareness to the community.”
Students come from all over the Tri-Valley to attend Ruiz’s hula school where they share traditional food, music, dance and crafts.
Ruiz feels that, although it’s fun, spreading hula and knowledge of Hawaiian culture is also an important responsibility. At a hula retreat on Kauai several years ago, Ruiz had a spiritual grounding that connected her to the many generations before and generations to come.
“I realized that I am a human being before being from a particular place,” she explained. “I am from this ‘Mother Earth’ and, like Hawaiians before me, I have a responsibility to the ocean, the skies, the people and the knowledge that has been entrusted to me. Sharing hula and luau, teaching about these sacred traditions, will only help to save them.”
If you are looking for something authentic to wear to that luau or hula recital, or just looking for a quick break from the daily grind, The Aloha Island Trading Company on Main Street provides just that. There, owner Debbie Donald has created a little “paradise in Pleasanton.” From the fresh brewed Kona coffee, island music and a variety of Hawaiian products exclusive to her store, Donald tries to re-create as best she can that relaxed atmosphere found only in Hawaii.
“We strive to support Hawaiian artists whenever possible,” Donald said. “The warmth and graciousness of the Hawaiian people is what we try to pass along to our customers.”
Every Thursday evening is “Ladies Night” at the Aloha Island Trading Company, where customers enjoy a Hawaiian jewelry show while sipping tropical cocktails and escaping for a while.
“The Hawaiians have a more laid-back lifestyle,” said Donald. “They have a reverence for the Earth, other people and their cultural history–qualities that can be easily lost in our busy, competitive environment here at home.”
Catch the ‘aloha spirit’
Pleasanton Senior Center–931-5365Terri Rugerri–846-3942
Gloria Akamai Ruiz–803-902
Aloha Island Trading Company–417-0560
