Milwaukee’s Hale O Malo Polynesian Revue
sounds its conch shell
Warm and sunny Islands cultural experience amidst
Wisconsin’s frigid grounds
sounds its conch shell
Warm and sunny Islands cultural experience amidst
Wisconsin’s frigid grounds
By Heidi M. Pascual
It was definitely a very frigid February 21 in Madison, Wis., with fresh snow on the
ground, and wind chills that would have kept families, especially with young children,
home. But many Madisonians came out — with children in tow — to feel the warmth
exuded by the Hale O Malo Polynesian dancers from Milwaukee. These professional
dancers visually transported their audience to the sunny, tropical islands of Hawaii,
Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tahiti. Even if it was only for a few hours, Olbrich
Botanical Gardens was transformed into a “beach” where beautiful ladies wore
colorful wrap-around or hula skirts, with leis and flowers on their long, curly hairs; and
“tribal chiefs” with no shirts, showing off their big muscles and tattoos. The overall
feeling of harmony with nature, the warm friendliness of Pacific Islanders, and the
graceful, energetic dance numbers immediately captured everyone’s attention on the
floor. Hale O Malo is truly Milwaukee’s pride.
Sandra Chow, wife of the late Ron Chow, co-founded Hale O Malo years ago, with
the goal of sharing Pacific Island cultures all over the nation and the world, through
music and dance. Chow is committed to continuing what she and Ron started, knowing
that her family of performers is one with her. Although the group started in Hawaii, they
have settled in Milwaukee, and today, Hale O Malo is well known as the Midwest’s
only Hawaiian-owned, ful-scale Polynesian Production Company, family-run with an
emphasis on ‘ohana (family) and the aloha spirit.
Hale O Malo’s performances at Olbrich Gardens’ Children of the Rainforest Series
have always attracted big crowds. This year, Chow’s daughter, Malia Lani, emceed the
program that was both entertaining and educational. Malia Lani first asked her
audience trivia questions about Hawaii and gave away gifts from the Islands to those
who gave correct answers. Some questions were:
“What does aloha mean?” Ans. Love, welcome, goodbye
“What side do you put a flower on your hair if you are married?” she asked the
ladies, and not getting a correct answer, she said, “Your left. And the reason ... is that
that’s where you put your wedding ring.”
“Can you name two of the eight major islands of Hawaii?” Ans. Oahu and the Big
Island
The movements in the dance numbers had meanings, and the dances themselves
represented some stories, mostly mythical or legendary. One dance number was about
Pele, the goddess of fire. The story, Malia Lani said goes, “Pele falls in love with Chief
Lohi’au, sends her sister, the goddess of hula, to get him. On their way back, the sister
and her lover fell in love. Pele, jealous and vengeful, tried to kill them.”
The group also performed a number from the movie Lilo & Stitch, with the song,
“‘He Mele No Lilo,” attracting the full attention of the children seated on the floor,
obviously familiar with the animated Disney movie.
Enter the Haka Warrior
The Haka Warrior from New Zealand, portrayed by Sean Ueta Taavao, came in with
his “spear,” showing off his big muscles and contorted face, which sent some little
children crying, however. According to records about “haka,” they are not exclusively
war dances, but are performed for various reasons: to entertain, to welcome
distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements or occasions (McLean
1996:46-47). Today, haka constitutes an integral part of formal or official welcome
ceremonies for distinguished visitors or foreign dignitaries, serving to impart a sense
of the importance of the occasion.
Taavao employed various movements in the course of his performance, including
showing the whites of his eyes and the poking out of his tongue. He also did vigorous
body actions, such as slapping his hands against his body and stamping of his feet. He
also chanted and used a variety of cries and grunts.
“Haka may be understood as a kind of symphony in which the different parts of the
body represent many instruments. The hands, arms, legs, feet, voice, eyes, tongue and
the body as a whole combine to express courage, annoyance, joy or other feelings
relevant to the purpose of the occasion.”-Wikipedia
It was definitely a very frigid February 21 in Madison, Wis., with fresh snow on the
ground, and wind chills that would have kept families, especially with young children,
home. But many Madisonians came out — with children in tow — to feel the warmth
exuded by the Hale O Malo Polynesian dancers from Milwaukee. These professional
dancers visually transported their audience to the sunny, tropical islands of Hawaii,
Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tahiti. Even if it was only for a few hours, Olbrich
Botanical Gardens was transformed into a “beach” where beautiful ladies wore
colorful wrap-around or hula skirts, with leis and flowers on their long, curly hairs; and
“tribal chiefs” with no shirts, showing off their big muscles and tattoos. The overall
feeling of harmony with nature, the warm friendliness of Pacific Islanders, and the
graceful, energetic dance numbers immediately captured everyone’s attention on the
floor. Hale O Malo is truly Milwaukee’s pride.
Sandra Chow, wife of the late Ron Chow, co-founded Hale O Malo years ago, with
the goal of sharing Pacific Island cultures all over the nation and the world, through
music and dance. Chow is committed to continuing what she and Ron started, knowing
that her family of performers is one with her. Although the group started in Hawaii, they
have settled in Milwaukee, and today, Hale O Malo is well known as the Midwest’s
only Hawaiian-owned, ful-scale Polynesian Production Company, family-run with an
emphasis on ‘ohana (family) and the aloha spirit.
Hale O Malo’s performances at Olbrich Gardens’ Children of the Rainforest Series
have always attracted big crowds. This year, Chow’s daughter, Malia Lani, emceed the
program that was both entertaining and educational. Malia Lani first asked her
audience trivia questions about Hawaii and gave away gifts from the Islands to those
who gave correct answers. Some questions were:
“What does aloha mean?” Ans. Love, welcome, goodbye
“What side do you put a flower on your hair if you are married?” she asked the
ladies, and not getting a correct answer, she said, “Your left. And the reason ... is that
that’s where you put your wedding ring.”
“Can you name two of the eight major islands of Hawaii?” Ans. Oahu and the Big
Island
The movements in the dance numbers had meanings, and the dances themselves
represented some stories, mostly mythical or legendary. One dance number was about
Pele, the goddess of fire. The story, Malia Lani said goes, “Pele falls in love with Chief
Lohi’au, sends her sister, the goddess of hula, to get him. On their way back, the sister
and her lover fell in love. Pele, jealous and vengeful, tried to kill them.”
The group also performed a number from the movie Lilo & Stitch, with the song,
“‘He Mele No Lilo,” attracting the full attention of the children seated on the floor,
obviously familiar with the animated Disney movie.
Enter the Haka Warrior
The Haka Warrior from New Zealand, portrayed by Sean Ueta Taavao, came in with
his “spear,” showing off his big muscles and contorted face, which sent some little
children crying, however. According to records about “haka,” they are not exclusively
war dances, but are performed for various reasons: to entertain, to welcome
distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements or occasions (McLean
1996:46-47). Today, haka constitutes an integral part of formal or official welcome
ceremonies for distinguished visitors or foreign dignitaries, serving to impart a sense
of the importance of the occasion.
Taavao employed various movements in the course of his performance, including
showing the whites of his eyes and the poking out of his tongue. He also did vigorous
body actions, such as slapping his hands against his body and stamping of his feet. He
also chanted and used a variety of cries and grunts.
“Haka may be understood as a kind of symphony in which the different parts of the
body represent many instruments. The hands, arms, legs, feet, voice, eyes, tongue and
the body as a whole combine to express courage, annoyance, joy or other feelings
relevant to the purpose of the occasion.”-Wikipedia
| Emcee Malia Lani Chow is the "historian" of Hale O Malo |
Sandy Chow introduces Hale
O Malo and talks about the
goal of her group, not only to
entertain, but most especially,
to share the beautiful cultures
of Hawaii and the Pacific
Islandsthrough their
traditional dances and songs
that tell stories and legends.
O Malo and talks about the
goal of her group, not only to
entertain, but most especially,
to share the beautiful cultures
of Hawaii and the Pacific
Islandsthrough their
traditional dances and songs
that tell stories and legends.
Drummer Vic Valerio is
Filipino American
Filipino American
| (Top-bottom) Angel Cuevas; Sounding the conch shell; drummer Stefan Pearson (from Colorado) |
Learning hula dancing
“Hula is a story that you tell with the grace of your body and your hands,” Malia Lani told the
children who volunteered to learn the basics of hula. “And the best time to start learning hula is
when you’re a child and the reason is, all that grace takes a long time to do.” After the sounding of
the conch shell and the drums, the children learned to dance the Huki Lau. “Huki Lau is a big party
in a Hawaiian Village where all villagers go fishing,” Malia Lani said. “And with all that food they
caugh in their net, they share with the whole village and they throw a big party.”
Starting with the first move, kaholo — step, together, step, together — the kids surely had fun
swinging their hips and moving their arms, hands and fingers in different ways, recreating ocean
waves, the sun, the moon, and figures of love. The kids learned that hula dancing truly intertwines
the dancers with nature.
The Tahitian number
There was beauty, drama, and power in the Tahitian dance number. Its history has been linked
with all aspects of Tahitian life. It is said that a Tahitian would dance for joy, to welcome a visitor,
to pray to a god, to challenge an enemy, and to seduce a mate. Using drums, shells and flutes for
music, Hale O Malo rocked the floor with this Tahitian dance number.
Aloha Oe
Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee) is Queen Liliuokalani’s most famous song. Hale O Malo said
goodbye to their enthusiastic Madison audience with this song as their finale.
Aloha oe, aloha oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
A ho’i a’e au ‘Ere
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace before I depart
Until we meet again.
“Hula is a story that you tell with the grace of your body and your hands,” Malia Lani told the
children who volunteered to learn the basics of hula. “And the best time to start learning hula is
when you’re a child and the reason is, all that grace takes a long time to do.” After the sounding of
the conch shell and the drums, the children learned to dance the Huki Lau. “Huki Lau is a big party
in a Hawaiian Village where all villagers go fishing,” Malia Lani said. “And with all that food they
caugh in their net, they share with the whole village and they throw a big party.”
Starting with the first move, kaholo — step, together, step, together — the kids surely had fun
swinging their hips and moving their arms, hands and fingers in different ways, recreating ocean
waves, the sun, the moon, and figures of love. The kids learned that hula dancing truly intertwines
the dancers with nature.
The Tahitian number
There was beauty, drama, and power in the Tahitian dance number. Its history has been linked
with all aspects of Tahitian life. It is said that a Tahitian would dance for joy, to welcome a visitor,
to pray to a god, to challenge an enemy, and to seduce a mate. Using drums, shells and flutes for
music, Hale O Malo rocked the floor with this Tahitian dance number.
Aloha Oe
Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee) is Queen Liliuokalani’s most famous song. Hale O Malo said
goodbye to their enthusiastic Madison audience with this song as their finale.
Aloha oe, aloha oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
A ho’i a’e au ‘Ere
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace before I depart
Until we meet again.
Videography by Dennis Alfred M. Pascual