HALAU TRAVELS THOUSANDS OF MILES TO LEARN FROM THE BEST
Alohanani Hula Studio participates in special workshops at the Polynesian Cultural Center
La‘ie – More than 100 hula dancers traveled 4,000 miles to O‘ahu for a special trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). Japan’s famous kumu hula, Sayumi Kasugai brought 104 of her students from Chubu, Japan to participate in various workshops at the PCC last week. The female dancers, who ranged in age from 30 to 70 years old participated in hula and ukulele lessons, lauhala rose weaving, crotchet and flower lei making.
“We are so excited to be able to come to the Polynesian Cultural Center and learn from prominent kumu hula Cy Bridges and Ellen Gay Dela Rosa,” says Kasugai who previously took private lessons from both kumu hula.
A select few of the dancers, including Kasugai, were chosen to perform that night in the PCC’s award-winning Ali‘i Lu‘au dinner show. Also, as part of their package, the halau members were able to showcase their workshop dances amongst themselves in the PCC’s Pacific Theater.
Kasugai established her hula halau, Alohanani Hula Studio in 2003 in Chubu, Japan, with 200 students. Today, she has 36 studio locations in Chubu, Aichi, Gifu and Mie areas with more than 500 students altogether.
PCC recently introduced this ala carte workshop package to its Eastbound market, offering various cultural workshops with interpreters available. Although visitors have only expressed interest in the Hawaiian and Tahitian workshops, the PCC also offers a broad-range of workshop opportunities from any of its seven villages. (Travel agents receive 10-15% commission on the workshop packages).
“For groups interested in more than the 10-minute village hula lesson or drum session, PCC’s workshops are great ways to gain more in-depth knowledge of the different cultures,” said Alan Walker, Regional Vice President, Eastbound Sales. “The participants really enjoy the workshops and seem to embrace this learning opportunity.”
For more information on Eastbound workshop opportunities, contact Alan Walker at (808) 923-2911 ext. 235 or via email at walkera@polynesia.com, or Naomi Sellers, Marketing Coordinator for Japan Sales at (808) 923-2911 ext. 239 or via email at sellersn@polynesia.com.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 31 million visitors while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 14,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they have attended Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, all funds generated by the PCC are used for its daily operations and to support its cultural and educational missions.
