Posted on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
MOMENTS OF LIFE
Enter the lion
 |
| The Kuo Min Tang Physical Culture Association has 20 to 30 lions they use for dances. Older ones are used for practice only, and others come out for special occasions, like Chinese New Year. |
Photos by Eugene Tanner • Story by Mary Kaye Ritz
The Honolulu Advertiser
It's a roaring good time for lion dancers such as Cody Hua. As Chinese New Year approaches — it's a week from Wednesday — the days get longer for the members of the Kuo Min Tang Physical Culture Association. That's especially true for the sophomore at Farrington High School, who not only plays on the school basketball team but practices up to three or four hours some nights or weekends getting ready for his troupe's performances.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser "I like to learn Chinese stuff," the 16-year-old said. "I'd like to pass it on someday."
Perhaps you caught him in action yesterday in Chinatown? He was the big one. At 6 feet 1 inch tall and 190 pounds, he also plays center on Farrington's basketball team. Because of his strength, he's often the tail of the lion.
As older brother Charles Hua, an instructor for the club, points out, the tail needs strength to carry the person who plays the head, and the head often is the acrobatic person.
"Most people start off as tail," Charles Hua, 22, explained.
Cody said he also likes to perform as the head of the lion, because it, too, is challenging.
"You have to think like a lion," explained Cody, who is bilingual and whose parents speak Cantonese.
"You can't think you're a man under the costume, you have to feel it and play it."
He also shows a great deal of humility and gratitude.
Cody takes care to say how much he appreciates the people who help him learn his craft — the instructors like Jason Mar and Duane Pang, a Taoist priest.
"I appreciate the time they put in on us," he said. "They become your friend."
Reach Mary Kay Ritz at 525-8035 or mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Hua doesn't mind putting in hours for his passion.
The Kuo Ming Tang Physical Culture Association keeps an assortment of lions used for dancing at Chinese celebrations. For Cody Hua, it's a way to explore his culture.
• • •
 |
 |
| Dancers who are acrobatic and agile, as Cody Hua is, may be the head, which manipulates mouth and eyes. | Cody gets some pointers from his instructor, Jason Mar. |
 |
| Cody practices basic martial-arts movements, many of which are used in lion dancing. |
 |
| He practices his footwork: You have to be lively like a cat, explains one instructor. |
• • •
| GOT A MOMENT?
This is the sixth installment of our monthly Moments of Life feature that shines a light on personal transitions and connections. We welcome your reactions or suggestions for future topics. Send comments to Island Life editor Elizabeth Kieszkowski, ekieszkowski@honoluluadvertiser.com, or 525-8034. |
