Waianuhea's
Hula Hands:
More than a beautiful hula dancer, she is an 'Ambassador
of Aloha' in her homeland of Mexico City, spreading the 'Spirit
of Aloha' while perpetuating the Hawaiian Culture.
Visit Waianuhea's Website: Ballet
Polinesio
Waianuhea
Lourdes Rodriguez was crowned as the 'Miss Lovely Hula Hands'
international winner for hula dancing and choreography. Beyond
the talents that won her the competition, Waianuhea is also
a kumu hula teacher to hundreds of students in her halau, Ballet
Polenesio De Lourdes Rodriguez. Together, they have performed
in and out of their country doing showcases and competitions.
Ballet Polenesio is an award winning halau, winning first place
in major events like the Tahiti Fete, conducted on the Big Island
of Hawai'i. As a celebrity in her own country, Waianuhea has
appeared and performed on many top television, radio and media
publications, giving her the maximum exposure in showcasing
her passion for the dance of hula, Polynesia and the Hawaiian
Culture.
Lulu, as her friends and family call her, was born and raised
in Mexico with a special passion and interest in the Hawaiian
culture and hula dancing. According to Lulu, "Ever since
I was a little child, I was always fascinated with Hawai'i and
the hula dancing that I saw". As to her feelings about
Hawai'i, she says, "I feel like I was born in Hawai'i,
and when the flying stork was delivering babies, he dropped
me off in Mexico!" She followed her heart and has become
one of the most popular and respected Polynesian Culture and
hula teacher in Mexico.
At home, Lulu is a wife, a mother of a beautiful daughter, and
the middle child between two sisters. She maintains closely-knitted
ties with her Mom, Dad and extended relatives. Her most special
moments are spent with her daughter, enjoying life together.
Recently, Waianuhea has produced and directed Scott Katsura's
'Mucho Aloha Concierto' in Mexico City. It was conducted at
the famous San Benito Abad Theater, featuring over one-hundred
dancers and musicians. The concert was broadcast on PCTV in
Mexico, as well, will be broadcast in the United States.
Currently, Lulu is continuing to perform in major dance events
and showcases. She plans to share with the world her God-gifted
talents, presenting with love and passion, her hula and dance
choreography. In addition, Waianuhea will continue to share
the journey of 'Aloha' with Scott Katsura as 'Miss Lovely Hula
Hands'. Congratulations Waianuhea for carrying the torch of
love, with the true spirit (and meaning) of Aloha! We love you,
the world loves you!
Waianuhea Speaks:
1. How did you begin your journey of the hula?
I take my first hula class when I was 11 years old, and since
this moment I was charmed by it’s magic.
2. When did you first see hula dancing?
When I was 17 years old I saw the real Hawaiian dancing, and
I was so impressed, since this moment I knew there was a lot
to learn and feel.
3. Are you inspired by any hula teachers? My
inspiration for hula had been taken by several teachers, they
had share with me so much and they are Ms. Alvarez, Méndez,
Novelo, Ayala and my Hawaiian Kumus had been Auntie Pat Namaka
Bacon (Mary Kawena Pukui’s daughter), Ray Kahikilaulai
Fonseca, Pa Mai Tenn and Mel Lantaka. All of them had shared
with me all their Aloha, and in Tahitian dance Makau Foster.
There are so much more Hawaiian teachers in my hula life, but
they are the ones that had been so close to me.
4. Why do you love Hawai’i so much?
When I learn my first hula dance, I found my own personal identity,
I could feel my own way of think, so dream about visiting the
place where all of this inspiration comes from, so when I had
been there, I
can’t stop thinking, how marvellous could be the native
life there and their great love for life and nature!
5. Why do Mexicans love Hawai’i and the hula dancing
so much? Definitevely the Hawaiian Culture are so similar
to Aztec Culture, Mexicans feel a great identify in our roots,
before the Spanish Conquer our lands we pray for several Gods,
we offer rituals to them, the music, outfits and so much more
are so similar to the Hawaiian culture, so there is a great
identification between two cultures.
6. How many hula students do you have? My Ohana
are about 150 students.
7. Beyond dancing, what is important to teach them about
Hawaiian culture? The ALOHA meaning is the most important
thing that my students should learn, so if they understand the
meaning of Aloha they could understand the meaning of Ohana,
if they understand Ohana, they could understand the meaning
of Halau, and if they know what is Halau, surely they could
feel the Hula.
8. What was your most memorable performance?
Dancing “Flower Lei” at the beach.
9. What makes you most proud of your hula accomplishments?
Winning “Miss Lovely Hula Hands” remembers me that
besides a teacher I am also in love hula dancer.
10. What made you decide to enter the Miss Lovely Hula
Hands contest? I really love to choreograph, so this
was a beauty
opportunity to share with someone else my love for hula and
my way of feel besides my students.
11. How did you feel when you won first place for Miss
Lovely Hula Hands? Wow, when I was mentioned as one
of the 6 semi-finalists, I was pleased with that, but when I
was mentioned as Winner, it was a dream come true.
12. How would you describe Scott Katsura as a personal
friend? Scott Katsura is a great person, he always
take care of people who needs help, and their friends are as
his Ohana (family), he has a great heart.
13. How would you describe Scott Katsura’s music?
Scott Katsura music is magic for your ears and for your mind
and soul.
14. What is your favorite hula choreography to perform?
Scott Katsura’s “Flower Lei”
15. What is your hula dancing plans for the future in
Mexico? I want to seed my hula grain in Mexico and
that it grows so much as if we were in Hawai'i.
16. What are your future plans in your personal life?
Always being a good mother for my daughter Tiare, being near
my family and continue dancing hula forever the way it could
be.
17. What is the most important thing in your life?
My family at home and my Ohana at Halau!
18. Where do you find your inspiration to choreograph
and produce shows? After dancing and dancing beautiful
hula choreographies, when I listened unknown songs, I instinctively
improvised my dance, then I was inspired by Auntie Namaka Bacon
to make a choreograph; so then I felt the necessity to create
a performance to show the work of my students in a great stage.
19. Do you have a specific goal with your hula dancing
and choreography? My only dream is continue sharing
my hula with hula lovers!
20. Who were your hula teachers and what did you learn
from them? All my Mexican teachers show me the love
and respect for the Polynesian culture, so Mahalo nui loa to
Ms. Alvarez, Méndez, Novelo and Ayala!
©
2006 Airtime Recording Company
email: info@scottkatsura.com
