Hawaii’s Renaissance Woman

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fusion [ˈfjuːʒən] n 1. the act or process of fusing or melting together; union 2. the state of being fused something produced by fusing hapa ha•pa (hä’pä) adj. Slang. of mixed racial heritage the outcomes of 2 or more cultures creates a hapa existence. I am hapa, a common term used in Hawaii to express someone or even something that’s mixed or half. Being of Chinese, German and English ethnicities and growing up in multi-cultural Hawaii, it’s a lifelong experience that influences the lenses in which I view the world. Starting my earliest dance training in a Hawaiian Hula Halau (school), I spent my days growing up in prominently Japanese Manoa Valley, and my afternoons at Chinese language school. My weekends then (and now), included attendance and participation at various cultural events: dancing at the Greek Festival, the inter-tribal American Indian Pow Wow, listening to ki ho’alu ‘slack key’ guitar music, studying various Classical Indian Dance even dancing to live salsa music at the Hawaii Hispanic festival. Factor in the amazing opportunities I have had as an adult to travel the world performing and teaching, from Japan to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Syria, Egypt, Greece, Istanbul, Switzerland, France, Germany and Monaco...to name a few, travel has opened my eyes, mind and heart to the beauty of the human existence. Traveling has also been a study and affirmation of the universality of ideas, and is proof how fluidly inspiration flows, from the Silk Roads to less illustrious roots of plantation life and amongst colonized states, the need to fuse is timeless. So the choice to explore fusion, the ability and choice to marry two or more elements, flavors, ideas, feelings or disciplines, intrigues and inspires me endlessly! When I embark upon a fusion dance or music project, it draws upon multiple experiences and training, to create something new, genuine and ultimately, respectful to the cultures it draws from. It’s the education from elders, schooling, life experiences and thoughtful reflection than helps me navigate the art of fusion, and not confusion! Fusion to me is more than a label or a shortcut- instead, it can be a way of life to discover the wealth of the cultures around us! So whether it be a gyspy Django Reinhardt fusion dance, a Theatrical Dance like Alchemy 3/Kitsune, a hapa haole 1940s inspired Hawaiian Hula or a label-less fusion exploration into French Electronica music, you can buckle your seatbelt- but know, it’s gonna be a smooth, fused ride! Miss Willow at Taqasim- pics by Joe Marquez In Studio- pics by Joe Marquez Old Tyme Feel- pics by Michael Baxter Pin Stripe Dervish at Global Dance Cafe- pics by Bob McKeand GOLD Devadasi- GOLD party -pics by Kaveh Kardan