Samadhi Hawaiʻi Presents:
“ KUPULAU”
Youth Aerial Showcase- May 31, 2026. Samadhi Hawaiʻi Studio.
Director: Andrea Torres
Show Concept/Script: Aurora Yokota
MC: Allie Deliz
Instructors/ Choreographers: Marie Takazawa, Andrea Torres, Yumi Hi, Brit Matsumoto-Kruger, Codi Wong, Pualani Dowling.
Assistants: Vrinda Burmester, Natalia Catanea
Kupulau (springtime) in Olelo Hawaiʻi means “sprouting leaf” or “growing leaf.” Kupulau is a shift from the rest and unconscious mind in Ho’o ilo (winter) to the conscious mind and to the focused action of spring. It is a season when the colors are brightest, animals and plants are the most active and visible as the anticipation of summer builds. The wai carries minerals from the rich volcanic soil from the mountain peaks to the kai (sea), which nurtures the sea-life.
Our show today is inspired by the synergy and flow of the elements and the creatures of Hawai’i, as told to us in the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant. Our students drew inspiration from the sea, our ‘aina, and the akua. We are proud to present to you, Kupulau.
ACT 1
1. It is told in the Kumulipo that during a spring full moon, coral polyps (ko’a) release billions of tiny, colorful spheres, transforming the pitch-black water into a glowing underwater snow-globe phenomenon. Here to show us the beautiful dance of the ‘Uku ko’ako’a (coral polyps) and pe’ape’a (starfish) in a group silks performance is Ms Andrea’s Keiki Circus Basics class.
Uku koʻako’a and Peʻapeʻa (Coral Polyps & Starfish)
Cali, Kiani, Malia, Niara, Briella, Maddie
2. The butterfly (Pulelehua) is a symbol of spring and transformation. In Hawai’i, there is a very special pulelehua called Lelepe O Hina, also known as the Kamehameha butterfly, which can only be found on our islands. The beauty, grace, and transformative nature of the Lelepe o Hina will be seen in our next silks solo, choreographed and performed by Mika.
Lelepe o Hina (Kamehameha Butterfly)
Mika Silk Solo- Choreography by Mika
3. Many creatures call the coral reef home, but the most clever and flexible of them all is He’e or Octopus. He’e is seen as being a sacred being and divine embodiment of the ocean's power and mana (life force), and is a symbol for the interconnectedness of all living things in the sea. Showing us the magic of the He’e with her contortion solo is Evangeline.
Heʻe (Octopus)
Evangeline Contortion Solo
4. In early Kupulau, if you go out onto the ocean, you’ll probably see small silver torpedoes leaping and gliding over the water. These are not birds but Malolo (or flying fish). Malolo is seen as a creature that bridges the ocean and sky, and here to show us the dazzling Malolo on silks are Ms. Yumi’s Monday Keiki Class.
Malolo (Flying Fish)
Jessica, Ivory, Gryffin, Londen and Lili
Choreography by Ms Yumi
INTERMISSION
ACT 2
5.The coral polyps aren’t the only creatures of the sea that are so affected by the full moon; each spring, 8 to 10 days after the full moon, mature box jellyfish appear off O’ahu’s leeward shores. Like mysterious spirits, jellyfish are thought of as symbols for unseen currents, depths, and the flow of life, along with representing the unseen forces that guide us. Showing us the deadly grace and the ability to go with life’s flows and currents are Ms Yumi’s Hoop class as the Pololia.
Pololia (Jellyfish)
Griffin, Mika, Ivory, Londen, Jessica
Choreography by Ms Yumi & Ms Andrea
6. Snowy-white, narrow wings and a distinctive red-tipped tail, it plunges down into the sea to catch a malolo for its dinner. The Koa’e’ula can be seen performing complex aerial displays involving acrobatic flights, vertical dives, circular patterns and loud squaking during Kupulau. Here to show us the acrobatic aerial displays of the koa’e’ula is Lani with her hoop solo from Ms Yumi’s Teen Hoop class.
Koa e ula ( Long Taił Seabird )
Lani Hoop Solo
Choreography by Ms Andrea
7. Small, fast and agile, nai’a (spinner dolphins) are the acrobats of the sea. Nai’a are most famous for leaping out of the water and sometimes spinning up to 7 times in a single leap. They are also seen as ‘aumakua, ocean and human guardians, and spiritual messengers between humans and the divine realms. Here to show us the playful acrobatics of the nai’a in a group tumbling piece is Ms Pualani’s Tumbling class.
Naiʻa (Spinner Dolphins—Acrobats of the Sea)
Monday Tumbling- Coach Pua
Londen, Briella, Jessica, Mika and Maddie
8. Navigating the night skies, the Hawaiian hoary bat is the only native land mammal in Hawaiʻi. It is said their wings resemble the wind-filled sails of the traditional outriggers that the ancient Hawaiians used to navigate across the Pacific using the stars as guides. Their name Ope’ape’a means “half-leaf” referring to the Kalo or taro leaf and the respected elder sibling of the Hawaiian people. Ope’ape’a are one of the few species in the world that regularly give birth to twins. Representing the twin Ope’ape’a in a hoop duet are Codi and Morgan.
ʻOpeʻapeʻa “half taro leaf” (Hawaiian Bats)
Codi & Morgan
Hoop Duet
9. After the rainy season, during Kupulau, young dragonflies emerge from the streams and wetlands to transform into winged adults.In Hawaiian culture, the Piano symbolize transformation and spiritual awakening. Their transformation, like the seed to tree, from water nymph to the fierce winged dragonfly reminds us of personal growth and the emergence of a new self as all around us the season of Kupulau inspires change and rebirth in all living things.
Pinao (Dragonflies )
Teen Silks Ms Yumi
Lula, Lani, Rowen, and Skye
Choreography by Ms Andrea
Samadhi Hawaiʻi Presents:
“ KUPULAU”
Adult Aerial Showcase- May 30, 2026. Samadhi Hawaiʻi Studio.
Director: Andrea Torres
Show Concept/Script: Aurora Yokota
MC: Allie Deliz
Instructors/ Choreographers: Marie Takazawa, Andrea Torres, Yumi Hi, Brit Matsumoto-Kruger, Codi Wong
Kupulau (springtime) in Olelo Hawaiʻi means “sprouting leaf” or “growing leaf.” Kupulau is a shift from the rest and unconscious mind in Ho’o ilo (winter) to the conscious mind and to the focused action of spring. It is a season when the brightest colors and all the animals and plants are the most active and visible as the warm, calm weather of summer arrives. The wai carries minerals from the rich volcanic soil from the mountain peaks to the kai (sea), which nurtures the sea-life.
Our show today is inspired by the synergy and flow of the seasons, as told to us in the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant. Our students drew inspiration from the sea, our ‘aina, and the akua. We are proud to present to you, Kupulau.
SHOW
1. We begin with a tiny translucent yellow spider hiding under the leaves of the rainforests of Hawaiʻi.
Extremely long legs and body the width of a grain of rice, Nananana Makaki’i has one of the most unique camouflages, which is where it gets its name—the happy face or “face-patterned spider” in Olelo Hawaii. Kupulau’s warm weather brings a boom in insects that these tiny guardians of the Hawaiian rainforests catch in their irregular webs. Kupulau also triggers the males to leave the safety of their leaf bound webs as they perform aerial feats to cross the rainforest canopy to find a mate for egg hatching season.
Showing us how the tiny Nananana Makaki’i make their way across the vast tree tops is Ms Andreaʻs Silks Basics class.
Nananana Makakiʻi (Happy Face Spider)
Silks Basics Ms Andrea
Ness, Kaitlyn, Taryn, and Lucia
2. The guardian of the twilight, of in-between hours and the hours when the veil between our world and the spirit world is thinnest, the Peuo flies hunting through grasslands. Hawaii’s endemic short-eared owl, the Pueo, is thought to protect the islands and their people from harm, often seen as an Aumakua (family guardian or ancestral spirit). Its presence was a comfort, reminding Hawaiians they were never truly alone, even in darkness. For Pualani, the phrase “You are the Wind Beneath wings” has special ties to her late Tutu (grandma), who raised her and her brother.
This next piece is dedicated to Barbara Castagnetti.
Let us welcome Pualani in her Silk solo as she shows us the grace and strength of the Pueo in flight.
Pueo (Hawaiian Short-Eard Owl)
Pualani Silk Solo
3. All life and the elements are interconnected with one another, and deeply woven in with the physical world is the spiritual realm. Akua (gods) are powerful embodiments of natural forces and creation.
Tiger Sharks are often seen as ‘Aumakua and powerful deities as symbols for both deep spiritual protection and the ocean's formidable strength. In Hawaiʻi in the waters of Olowalu, Maui, tiger sharks gather the first and only documented recurring group-mating gathering of tiger sharks occurs during Kupulau.
These majestic sharks, who are usually loners, can be seen dancing together during this rare event.
Mano (Sharks) specifically Tiger Sharks
Straps Class Ms Marie
Emily and Wallace
Straps Duo - Choreography by the performers
4. Strutting across a lava field while looking elegant and graceful like a true local is no problem for the nene goose. Adapted to walk across lava rocks and inhabit a variety of plains, Hawaiʻi’s state bird forages for plants and berries.
Their name comes from their unique call that sounds like “nay-nay.”
Nene (Hawaiian Goose/HI State Bird)
Saturday Silks 1 Ms Codi
Nicole, Cat, Cheryl, Sidney, and Shari
5. Hahalua (the oceanic manta ray) glides majestically through the warm blue waters of Hawaiʻi in the spring. Embodying both the dark and light on
its top half and underbelly, Hahalua is seen as a symbol for balance or harmony, protection, and healing.
In Hawaiian culture, ha represents the breath of life. Ha carries one's mana or spiritual power and one's essence of life.
It is believed that the Hahalua, which means “two breaths,” are deep divers who access realms beyond human reach and therefore can act as a bridge between the spirit and the physical worlds. Here to show us the grace and otherworldly beauty of the Hahalua are Ms Codi’s Silks 2 class.
Hahalua “Two Breaths” (Manta Rays)
Saturday Silks 2 Ms Codi
Carol, Maddison, Mallika, Amanda, Vrinda
6. Navigating the night skies, the Hawaiian hoary bat is the only native terrestrial
mammal in Hawaiʻi hunting for insects at night and roosting in trees during the day. It is said their wings resemble the wind-filled sails of the traditional outriggers that the ancient Hawaiians used to navigate across the Pacific using the stars as guides.
Their name Ope’ape’a means “half-leaf” referring to the Kalo or taro leaf and the respected elder sibling of the Hawaiian people.
Ope’ape’a are one of the few species in the world that regularly give birth to twins.
Representing the twin Ope’ape’a in a hoop duet are Codi and Morgan.
ʻOpeʻapeʻa “Half Taro Leaf” (Hawaiian Bats)
Codi & Morgan
Hoop Duet
7. Soaring through the ka lewa lani (heavenly space), Hawaiʻi’s only hawk species can only be found on the island of Hawaiʻi.
The ‘Io is the symbol of the ali’i embodying grace, leadership and wisdom. ‘Io generally pair-bond for life, and during Kupulau, both the males and females can be seen in breathtaking aerial displays to find a mate or reinforce their bond.
Showing us the flight of these royal birds rarely seen, we have our last piece of the night performed by Ms. Marie’s Silks 3.
ʻIo (Hawaiian Hawk)
Sunday Silks 3 Ms Marie
Emily, Ayu, Ann, Cheryl T, Sophia
