'Something Sweet' for Halau Mohala 'Ilima

"SOMETHING SWEET" was the theme of the party as kumu hula Mapuana de Silva and her husband, Kihei de Silva, celebrated the 30th anniversary of Halau Mohala 'Ilima at the Kokokahi YWCA on Saturday.

It was a wonderful afternoon of traditional Hawaiian music and hula that included dances by Mapuana and the senior members of the halau. She also presented commemorative plaques to the most veteran halau members.

The "sweet" part came later. The halau members, their families, friends and supporters, had been asked to bring desserts rather than conventional pupus, and the tables were filled with everything from fresh fruit to carrot cake, super-heavy chocolate brownies and butterscotch-chip cookies. It was literally "desserts for days!"

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kumu hula Mapuana de Silva, foreground, is joined by halau members Cassandra Mano'i-Hyde, left, Roxanne Canonigo, Kapilialoha MacKenzie, Charlene Luning and Kahulu Kaima for a celebratory hula. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Outrigger Hotels executive Barrett DeSantos congratulates Kahulu Kaima on celebrating 25 years as a member of the halau. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mapuana and Kihei de Silva are shown with their daughters, Kahikina, left, and Kapalai'ula. CLICK FOR LARGE

John Berger has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972. Contact him at jberger@starbulletin.com.