A MUST READ TO PASS ON…TODAYʻS PROFOUND REVIEW by Daniel Quinn
All the words you have been hearing are the voices of many that echo the same thing about our KUMU LEI…Mahalo Uncle Daniel for taking time to share. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0bGVWQodNk
“He believed in me, when I didn’t believe in myself…”
I hope you find a few minutes to watch and listen to this video about Kumu Lei, one of the most renowned hula dance teachers in the world. I met her on one of my trips to Hawaii, and she is truly an enlightened spiritual being; a person filled with love and joy and passion for the world and her work.
In 1983, we were blessed to restore Ka’Ahumanu Congregational Church, the oldest church on the island of Maui. During our project, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary, at the same time Hawaii celebrated its 25th anniversary as the 50th, and last state to join the union. The Skyline crew were guests of honor at the official luau, held in the ancient traditions of the islands, and included the hula dance. Beyond spiritual, the performance was mystical. No words were necessary to feel the expressions of love, hope and inspiration from the rhythmic movements of the body, in perfect harmony with drums made from koa logs, as in generations past.
Two years later, my (then) wife and I returned to Maui and to Ka’Ahumanu Congregational Church to have our infant daughter, Taylor Quinn christened in the ancient ways of the islands. In a beautiful and sacred ceremony, Taylor was blessed by the Kapu of the church, Esther Campbell, who was then 80 years old and remained a wonderful friend until her death. After holding Taylor in her arms, Esther lifted her up toward the sky and then to the four directions of the wind, the Makani, praying silently. She then looked into Taylor’s smiling eyes and gave her the Hawaiian name, “Hau’oli” which means “Happiness.” One only has to look into Taylor’s daughter’s eyes, Chloe Quinn Verge, to see the spiritual continuation of our child’s “Happiness.”
I share this for my daughter, Taylor and grand daughter, Chloe, of course. I also share it for “dancers of life”, Janice Guinard Amburgey and Stephanie Pandiscio; Wendy Reese, Suzanne Lacey, Kimberly Ann Quinn, Jo Yeager, Radha Sharon Wikinson, Rebecca Rose Tousignant. Micah Thompson…and YOU.
Finally, in case you were wondering…”I” will always believe in “you”…even when you don’t believe in yourself. We all need a person like this in our life.