Brides take the stage even when they lack training

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Monica Kalahui of 'Ewa Beach learned a hula number to perform for her husband, Derrick, at their wedding in July 2000. Photo courtesy of Monica Kalahui

As the lights dimmed and the Carpenters' "You're the One" started to play over the sound system, Villanueva began a surprise hula performance for her beloved.

Like many other Hawai'i brides wanting to perform a wedding hula despite having no real hula background, Villanueva felt that this important event would not have been complete without a hula; it was a plan the 28-year-old Waipahu resident had since she was in high school. She had no real background as a hula dancer, with the exception of some classes she took at a dance school for about a year when she was 5, and again at 23.

Villanueva learned the dance from her friend's cousin, who chose the song and taught Villanueva the choreography in a month.

Regardless, Clifford Villanueva, 30, proudly said that his wife was "spectacular ... I know that she really loves me for going out of her way and doing this."

Hawaiiana expert Nona Beamer said the wedding hula "has become a contemporary tradition."

Beamer welcomes the idea of teaching hula to women who have no hula background but want to learn a dance for a particular occasion. "I'm one of those that, I'm so grateful that hula is living and I'm so grateful it's growing," she said.

However, there are some traditionalists and purists in the hula community who don't feel the same way.

Vicky Holt Takamine, kumu hula of Pua Ali'i 'Ilima, is among those who find it inappropriate.

"One of the things about dancing hula is, it takes a lot of training and work to look as good as it does," Takamine said. "It's an insult to our culture to think it's something you can just pick up."

Takamine said women should not dance hula if they don't have the required skills.

"Don't do something you're not comfortable with," she said. "And you're supposed to be absolutely gorgeous that day and not look awkward and not look nervous — because that's what happens ... and to me that's the worse thing."

Meanwhile, Hokulani De Rego, kumu hula of Halau Hula 'O Hokulani, appreciates those who take interest in learning hula for their special day.

"I really applaud the women that have never danced before that are willing to try and learn, even if it's just a small fraction of 'Hawaiianess' that they can get out of that one mele, out of that one song," De Rego said. "Even if just for a brief moment, they're able to look into our Hawaiian culture and be able to feel, even just for a moment, the joys of hula and storytelling that we do, better that than nothing at all."

Beverly Judy Villanueva performs a hula for her husband, Clifford, at their wedding reception Aug. 19 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Although Beverly has no hula background and learned the dance in a month, Clifford said her performance was "spectacular." Photo courtesy of Beverly Villanueva

The wedding hula — something of a misnomer since it's usually performed at the reception — signifies many things, experts say.

"It depends on the giver," De Rego said. "It's whatever their thoughts are."

She said the dance is a gift from the bride to the groom, a way for her to open up her heart and soul to her husband.

Beamer said that it should signify a love of many things.

"I think it's a combination of love, love for Hawai'i, love for Hawaiiana and the bond of aloha," Beamer said.

Monica Kalahui of 'Ewa Beach does not have a background in hula, but learned a dance for her July 15 wedding last year for several reasons.

"I wanted to express my love and also (honor) his heritage," said Kalahui, 33.

Kalahui's 31-year-old husband, Derrick, who is of Hawaiian ancestry, said he was touched by her tribute.

"She's not Hawaiian, and so that gave it more meaning," Derrick Kalahui said. "She's dedicated to our relationship and especially (to) learning my culture."

Hula vs. dance

Learning about the Hawaiian culture should go hand in hand with learning hula, said Maile Loo, kumu hula of Halau Hula 'O Kaho'oilina Aloha. Brides-to-be learning a dance should "think more about really learning and valuing hula and the culture, rather than them just treating it as a show at their wedding," Loo said.

Although Loo is open to teaching women with no hula background dances for their weddings, rather than calling what is taught to the women as "hula," she simply calls it "a dance."

It's "because they don't have the background and they haven't made a (long-term) commitment to learn hula," Loo said. "They want to dance to a Hawaiian song, basically."

Hula, Loo explained, in its true cultural sense involves more than just learning movements to a dance. The dance is in context of something culturally significant, Loo said, which includes history, myths, legends and the language.

"My hope, in terms of taking the time to work with them, is that maybe it would be the entree for them to really become involved in hula and learning (about Hawaiian culture)," Loo said.

It's all about the effort

Beamer said brides-to-be wanting to learn a wedding hula in spite of not having hula experience is "very commendable."

"I think it's very difficult," Beamer said, "but you do the best you can."

Many wedding coordinators recommend those interested in learning a dance go to people they're close to for referrals to hula instructors.

Erica Neves, director of public relations at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, said coordinators at the hotel said that "rarely, actually, do they get requests from either local people or visitors for hula instructions specifically for their wedding," Neves said. "Most of the local people ... probably would go to their family and friends."

Neves added that the wedding hula isn't common among their Japanese visitors, many of whom come to Hawai'i for a Hawai'i-themed wedding. "They get married ... at the hotel and they have a very simple wedding," she said. "So they're not doing any hula dancing."

Kalahui went to a close friend who taught her a dance to Keali'i Reichel's "Maunaleo," which she learned in about a month and a half.

"It was very easy because I would give her one verse to practice, then she would go home and practice it," said Kalahui's friend and teacher, Wendy Namoca, who danced hula from ages 3 to 21. "She was very determined and she just stuck to it."

But not all women are able to learn a dance as easily as Kalahui. Many with no hula background may find it extremely difficult.

"Sometimes you really can't call (what they do) a hula," Beamer said and laughed. "Sometimes they can barely move. It's just more interpretive than it is hula. But still, they gotta get 'E' for effort."

While many kumu hula agree that the ability to move gracefully is important in dancing, they also believe that conveying emotions is just as significant.

In De Rego's view, if a woman is radiating emotions while dancing, then all is forgiven if she cannot perfect specific hula movements. "For those who've never danced before, it's the emotion, it's that love and aloha that everybody will remember," De Rego said.

De Rego recommends women with no hula background planning to learn a dance for their wedding to start early. It is impossible, she said, to properly learn a dance in two weeks or even two months.

"To prepare for that special day, ideal would be at least a year," De Rego said. Before buying a dress, finding a church and reception hall, and anything else that "you're going to be bogged down with," De Rego said, a bride should "do hula right before that because I think she would find peace, tranquility and better direction."

Beamer advises women wanting to learn a wedding hula to give 100 percent of their time and effort.

"It seems a shame if they want to do it and they don't give it their best effort, then it looks shabby," Beamer said. "They should want to do it badly enough to do their very best."

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at 535-8174 or by e-mail at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com.