Hula expert Kanoe Miller to launch dance magazine

HALEKULANI hula dancer Kanoe Miller, one of Hawaii’s most accomplished hula authorities and dancers, is putting together HulaStudio magazine. She says it will be a digital magazine delivered as an app on your tablet. Kanoe has been dancing at the Halekulani’s House Without a Key since 1977.

"Throughout those years I have witnessed the renaissance of Hawaiian culture and the renewed interest in hula and Hawaiian music," she said. "My teacher, Ma’iki Aiu Lake, was one of the leaders in this movement and believed in sharing the knowledge with everyone. I would like to continue this sharing with my new publication.

"I will feature articles written about Hawaiian language used in chants and songs, their meaning and correct pronunciation; I will have articles about kupuna kumu hula of old and their contributions; I will have articles about the music and the composers; I will explore the flowers and the ferns that are used to make the lei along with the different methods of lei making. In general I will try to examine all the areas that relate to hula."

Kanoe has gathered a strong initial team of writers that includes Puakea Nogelmeier, kumu and professor of Hawaiian language at the University of Hawaii; Harry B. Soria Jr., host of the radio program "Territorial Airwaves," now in its 35th year; Maile Loo Beamer, kumu and Hula Preservation Society director; Bradley Keaupunikapu Cooper, kumu and teacher at Kamehameha Schools for more than 35 years; and Jocelyn Fujii, freelance writer and author of "Under the Hula Moon" and "Stories of Aloha" …

Kanoe dances Fridays and Saturdays at the House Without a Key. She had to take time off from work for five months last year after she underwent rare surgery to remove a third lung, and her nightly schedule was eased after returning to work in October. But she would welcome the opportunity to dance more nights now as she is back feeling 100 percent. She is such a crowd favorite at the beautiful oceanfront location …

"TERRITORIAL Airwaves" host Soria is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to music of Hawaii. He gave me a CD recently that he thought I would like. He was so right. "Pua Almeida and His Sunset Serenaders" was recorded live in 1966 when the group performed at the Banyan Court of the Moana Hotel. Singer-musicians Almeida, Lucky Viloria, Billy Hew Len, Tony Kwan and Ronny Souza come across like a happy-go-lucky bunch of local boys having a good time and singing songs that were popular at backyard parties, patios and garages. Songs on the album include "My Little Grass Shack," "Susiana E," "Maui Girl," a medley of "Analani E"/"Nani Waimea" and "Lahainaluna," a big hit by one of the newer composers of the day, Kui Lee, who went on to achieve greatness. Another favorite of mine is the closing medley of "My Darling"/"To You Sweetheart Aloha"/"Dream"/"Now Is the Hour"/"Time to Say Farewell and Aloha" and "Show Me the Way to Go Home." Anyone fortunate enough to have seen or danced to the music of the group at the historic Moana Banyan Court will most likely enjoy the CD, produced by Soria and Michael Cord. Cord International restored and released this recording nearly 50 years after it was made. Good job! …

FRIDAY THE 13TH is a lucky day for Soria as it marks 35 years of continuous broadcasting as "Territorial Airways" host. The show is carried by AM 940. "The show has repeatedly relocated on the radio dial, and I’ve shared the microphone with friends," Soria said. "For the first seven years, the Honolulu Skylark (Jacqueline Rossetti) was my partner. For the next 13 years, Keaumiki Akui was my sidekick. Those 20 years of partnership prepared me for the past 15 years as a solo announcer" …

Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.