My teacher and her children.
photography Micky (Low Fat Group) From "Sandii's Melehula Love² Pacific"

You Are So Beautiful to Me

Several times a year, I travel to Hawaii for study. When I go, I stay at the home of my teacher, Kumu Paty Kealohalani Wright.

In the morning, she wakes me with a chant. There's a chant called "Ealae" that expresses gratitude for the energy rising from the deep ocean floor to the heavens. With gentle, muted clapping, it says, "You are the sun, so wake up quickly and shine brightly." Upon waking, I look in the mirror and smile, partly to reconnect with myself. Then, I silently sing a line from "You Are So Beautiful to Me," and the person in the mirror greets me kindly. Starting the day this way brings a profound sense of peace. Those first few minutes of a new morning are incredibly precious.



What I learn from Kumu is to "memorize the written map." I meticulously learn and record the respect for the Hawaiian spirit, the chants, the traditions, and the dances exactly as they are documented.
This isn't about whether the teacher is good or bad; it's about imprinting the ancient map onto my mind and body.

The Role of Carrying the Map

This is something I've realized: by precisely recording the map of Hula as it was drawn in ancient times, the map of when the dances were created, I preserve the landscape of that era through dance and chant. As I imprint this, I must also honor my own inner landscape and how things are in the present.

The ancient map must not be rewritten. The ancient map and the current map must be held in balance. Neither should fade. That is balance. It is only through balance that we can convey it to people today. When you realize you are being allowed to carry the map, it reaches them. It is a living thing, so one must be careful not to let it spoil, drop it, or have it stolen. You must walk with the awareness that it contains something precious. To carry it, one's physical muscles must be trained; what drives me to push myself to that extent? It is my unfading passion, awakened to life's significance through Hula. I always return to that.

Kumu and I

photography Micky (Low Fat Group) From "Sandii's Melehula Love² Pacific"

Kumu and I are one. Until graduation, I must not question or doubt Kumu. I must simply obey. Therefore, I never ask "why."

I also longed to graduate quickly and be set free, but I never felt lost. Because I wanted to be by Kumu's side. Her journey is fascinating, so before graduating, I silently followed her, holding her hand. Now, I sit in the passenger seat, sharing her journey. Of course, she is the one driving. Eventually, when she is no longer here, I will have to drive, so if I'm just zoning out in the passenger seat, I won't learn anything. Lately, I've been trying to drive myself, observing from her perspective.

photo by IDEGUCHI Keiko

For those dancing Hula at my studio, I want them to hold both the ancient map and the map I've drawn, and through them, create new records. Otherwise, they won't understand how far this treasure has traveled. Creating records through experience is a wonderful thing. In Hula, the moment you dance Kahiko, you are creating a record. It's like watching an ancient film.

photography Micky (Low Fat Group) From "Sandii's Melehula Love² Pacific"

No matter how much I explain in words, if the recipient doesn't receive it with their body, my feelings won't be imprinted within them. For those who have been with me for a long time, like the main members of the Halau, we have reviewed the ancient maps together so many times that I feel we can now walk the ancient map through the places that have changed.

Anything can be understood if pursued with sincerity and seriousness. It becomes engaging because it's interesting. You gradually find yourself becoming more interesting. You can laugh in moments of wondering how things came to be. Of course, there are sad times too. But there are always incredible gifts hidden beyond sadness.