May Day 2005 at Wailoa Center
There was an early May Day celebration at the closing of Leilehua Yuen's art show at the Wailoa Center Gallery in Hilo on Saturday, April 30. The celebration featured a lei display, lei making demonstration, lei competition, storytelling, keiki hula performance and a Hawaiian music performance. Auntie Nona Beamer was on hand to give the opening chant and offering of mo`olelo o na lei (stories of the lei) to a crowd of a couple dozen visitors. Kumu hula Mo`ikeha Yates introduced her students from Na Keiki Hula `Ohana with a wonderful performance by the troupe. Finally, more mo`olelo from Auntie Nona and jamming from the congregation of several musicians from around the island. It was truly a wonderful, sharing of music and stories in a most intimate setting.
Nona Beamer (center), Mo`ikeha Yates (2nd from left), Leilehua Yuen (second from right) and friends trading stories and musical licks Leilehua Yuen
Na Keiki Hula `Ohana performs under leadership of kumu hula Mo`ikeha Yates Nona Beamer
Auntie Nona personally thanking each keiki after their performance, while Leilehua Yuen offered gifts Jamming, Hawaiian style Mo`ikeha and Leilehua with an impromptu performance with cowry shells for Pu Pu, Inu Inu