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Kent Ghirard celebrates his 90th birthday onstage with Maile Loo-Ching, co-founder of the Hula Preservation Society, and Pa'ahana band members, from left, Kaipo Kukahiko, Doug Tolentino and Pakala Fernandes. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
Director Ghirard reunites
with Hula Nani Girls
Lisa Asato / Ka Wai Ola
Toasting a lifetime of dedication to hula – fans, friends and former and current dancers of Kent Ghirard's postwar-era dance troupe The Hula Nani Girls reunited Sept. 19 to celebrate their leader, who at 90 years old, kept the beat with ipu, drums and a comic tongue. “I can't call them girls anymore,” he chided as his current troupe of five danced to old favorites.
Ghirard's hula troupe was the first to visit Japan after the war and greeted the visiting elite through the 1960s, like President Harry Truman, John Wayne, Bob Hope and the cast of From Here to Eternity. The night included presentations of birthday greetings and proclamations from the state Senate and U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye, presented by Maile Loo-Ching of the Hula Preservation Society, who emceed, and Michael Pili Pang of the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, which was presenting a concurrent exhibit of Ghirard's private photo collection at Honolulu Hale.
On Nov. 15, the accolades continue. Ghirard will be honored with the second annual I Ola mau ka Hula award from Hula Grill Waikīkī, which recognizes those who have perpetuated hula throughout their lifetimes.
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Dancer Winnie Wong Naihe “is so cute – she doesn't have to do anything but walk on stage,” Ghirard told the crowd. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Three Hula Nani Girls – Panana Tam, Isabel Lee and Pat Ching. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Hula Nani Girl Mae Parish. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Panana Tam and Mae Parish dance as Kent Ghirard and Maile Loo Ching look on. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Hula Nani Girls – past and present – honor their troupe leader, Kent Ghirard, with a dance. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Kūpuna members of kumu hula Sonny Ching's Hālau Nā Mamo o Pu'uanahulu grace the stage. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Former Hula Nani Girl Pearl Souza nee Keawe, served as kumu while Ghirard was away on the road. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Like others in the crowd, Earl Pomai Tenn joined in the fun and performed a hula. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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A member of the kūpuna dancers of kumu hula Sonny Ching's Hālau Nā Mamo o Pu'uanahulu receives a kiss from Kent Ghirard, the man of the hour. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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Known for his drumming, Kent Ghirard still keeps the beat for his dancers. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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In their final number of the evening, the Hula Nani Girls, from left, Mae Parish, Panana Tam, Isabel Lee, Pat Ching and Winnie Wong Naihe. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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The birthday celebration was also a reunion for former Hula Nani Girls, including Arlene Tanabe, Alma Bell, Derna Navas Kim, Pearl Souza neé Keawe, and Bernie Jay. The dancers pictured ranged in age from 8 to their teens when they started dancing for Ghirard in the 1950s. – Photo: Lisa Asato |
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