| Thanks to the enthusiastic support of the Aloha Camp `ohana the February Camp was a resounding success.
Highlights? There were so many!
- The setting was beautiful and the weather superb. Those of us who rose in time to view the full moon melting into the ocean on Monday morning had a special treat.
- First time intructor Konabob earned his MVP--it seemed he was everywhere!
- Raiatea graced us with her wonderful voice. How nice have her join the family.
- The Monday Night Staff concert started out great with Konabob's band and then morphed into a high-powered jam session when percussion legend Buddy Fo joined Mark, Bob & Trev for a few songs. Then Buddy sang while his wife Sammy danced--pure old style perfection. And to wrap it all up, we were treated to a performance by the Keawe `ohana.
- Thanks to the Mohala Hou Foundation, our dear friend Aunty Ku`ulei and her punahele D.J. joined us from Molokai. Aunty out played everybody at the nightly kani kapila, too.
- Wednesday's Open Mic was the best ever. Such talent!
- Thursday we watched an unbelievable show~Raitea performing with the Beamer `ohana old and new. "Imagine" that!
- All of the teachers and haumana worked very hard all week; Friday's ho`ike came all too soon. But what a show.
- It seemed like half the camp visited the volcano after the camp. Almost like we planned it that way....
- In the end, it is the people who make the Aloha Camp so special. A tip of the hat to all who volunteered: the stage crew: Greg, Trev, Chris & Guy; sound operators Michael and Earl; Open Mic coordinator Tom, Ho`ike wrangler Jim, stagehands Annette and Jack; store helpers Jean, Mary & Guy; and everyone else who helped with a smile, a laugh, or an encouraging word.
Here are some photos for your enjoyment. Our fearless camp administrator was too busy to take many pix this time; mahalos to Ben Allen, Hiro Sone, & Annie Dempsey for sharing theirs.
You can see more of Ben's pictures here.
Hiro's online photo gallery is here.
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Ohana
by Jo Grant
Here on Sacred Ground
The People gathered long ago
Raising their temples of stone
To honour this place of power and light.
Guided by stars and currents,
Their gifts of songs and stories
Left for us to carry on.
Today, it is the music that calls us across the seas.
We come on our own migration.
Bruised and battered by the world left behind.
We come seeking restoration and healing,
And are surrounded by secret gardens
And magic pools.
Songs and strings float through the air
Chants rise up and echo through the trees
Bodies move in answer as all catch the sound
Of whale-song rising from the deeps.
We welcome each other
Touching cheek to cheek
Smiles are bright as sunrise.
Arms reach out in friendships remembered
In the sun we meet and trade knowledge
Enlarging our worlds
In the evenings we gather and share the day?s small victories.
Our laughter lighting the way home.
Though fragile as a string of flowers
Aloha enfolds us, binding us together as family
Now when we meet we say
“Aloha, Mahalo Aloha until next year.”
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