Stranger in a Strange Land
08/18/2006
Well I’m totally embarassed. I went to a local Hawaiian shop to get a pa’u (skirt for hula practice). I asked if they had any other choices of color and design, since there were only 2 skirts (same design). I was asked what hula school I dance for. Here’s the embarrassing part–I can’t pronounce it nor remember it. But when I gave the kumu’s name (teacher), the guy at the store said he has known her forever. The school is Kawailehua (”ka-vi-lay-hoo-ah”) Hula Ohana.
Anyway, I have a practice skirt, mostly for home, since they have skirts at the school to borrow. I think they like everyone to wear the same colors even for practice. Anyway, I’m still navigating my way around–trying to figure out how they do things at the school. It seems like I stepped into an alternate universe: new words, strange language, food, etc. At least now I have an excuse when I go to the hairdresser’s to complain about how much she cuts off my hair because they require long hair. I’m not sure how long is long enough, but mine (curled) is about six inches past my shoulders. I’m guessing that I need another 4 inches, so that it is mid-back when curled. Of course, it is 4 inches longer if straight. Although straight lasts 15 minutes.
I’m mostly set for practice with the things I need. The sarongs for Tahitian should be here today, and I bought some tops yesterday. I’m ready to try practicing today, since the soreness has finally worn off.
Technorati: hula, long hair, pa’u, Kawailehua










zandperl said,
August 18, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
Wow, that sounds like so much fun!
Will they not let you perform if your hair isn’t long enough though? That’s an amusing role reversal, I usually hear stories about how men are told they have to cut off hair, not women having to put on more hair. 
Anonymous said,
August 18, 2006 @ 9:15 pm
I know exactly what you mean - We went to Hawaii and couldn’t pronounce any of the words. I think its harder than many languages out there.
Nice blog!
-RTT
http://rtt.typepad.com
Lizzie said,
August 19, 2006 @ 7:47 am
To RTT: Thanks for the compliment.
You can still perform with short hair, but as the kumu said, it costs less to grow your hair out than to get extensions.