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Ching has various workshops on culture protocol, chants and dances in Japan,
Mexico and the Continental United States. His East Coast Workshops are
in great demand and Kumu Hula Ching will return to New York in November as
well as Florida in February, 2000. Ching's Mexican halau performed at
a 1,000 person Luau held at the Governor's Palace in La Paz. In addition, his
Mexican soloist placed second in the World Hula Competition. His Japan halau
has won several awards at hula competitions in Japan and Okinawa and
the demand for Hawaiian performances is overflowing in Japan. As the Overall
1998 & 1999 Merrie Monarch winners, the halau twice participated in the
Ikaho Japan Festival wherein 20,000 people witnessed Hawai'i's premiere
halau in live action.
1997 was a year for growth and new experiences and Kumu Hula Ching traveled
extensively teaching and performing at Concerts on the Mainland United States,
Mexico, and Japan. In addition, the kane and kupuna competed in the Kau I Ka
Hano Hula Competition in Las Vegas and the keiki competed in the Queen
Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula and Hula 'Oni E competitions.
Ching visited Kaho'olawe for the first time and the Island visit inspired him to
write the chant He Lei No Kaho'olawe which was awesomely danced by
the wahine at the 1998 Merrie Monarch Festival. The dancers' performance at
Merrie Monarch awed the audience and judges. He Lei No Kaho'olawe brought
the spirit of the Island alive for the people of Hawai'i were transformed back
to ancient times and felt the honu (turtle) the nai'a (dolphin) and the winds of
Hakioawa encompass your every breath. The men's kahiko Na Wai Puna
O Komohi'o No Kaho'olawe brought to life a long ago forgotten heritage of
our people. The halau won both the Women and Men's Overall Awards as well
as the Festival Overall award
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