On Saturday, August 1, I had the privilege of sharing Hawaiian music at the Hudson River Cup ʻOhana Festival at Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline, the festival brought together paddlers, families, and members of the community to celebrate the cultures and traditions of Oceania.
I was honored to perform alongside Claudia Goddard on ʻukulele and vocals and Chris Davis on Hawaiian steel guitar. Together, we serve as the musicians for Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima o Nuioka, accompanying the hālau with live music that brings each hula to life.
Our program featured beloved Hawaiian mele including He Aloha No ʻO Honolulu, Holo Waʻapā, He Aloha No ʻO Waiʻanae, Moku Kia Kahi, E Hihiwai, and Aloha Kauaʻi. Each song tells a story of beloved places, voyages across the ocean, the beauty of the islands, and the enduring spirit of aloha. Sharing these songs live, in partnership with the dancers, is one of the most rewarding aspects of performing Hawaiian music.
Watching Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima o Nuioka perform was a wonderful reminder that hula is much more than dance. Every graceful movement interprets the words of the mele, preserving Hawaiian language, history, and culture for future generations. Music and hula are inseparable, each enriching the other in telling stories that have been passed down for generations.
The festival offered something for everyone. Visitors enjoyed hula lessons, lei making, arts and crafts, local vendors, and live performances while paddlers from around the country competed throughout the weekend. More than just a sporting event, the Hudson River Cup has become a celebration of community, friendship, and the meaning of ʻohana (family.)
One of the greatest joys of performing at events like this is watching people discover Hawaiian culture. Some paused to listen to the music, others joined a hula lesson, and many stayed to watch the performances. Moments like these create connections and help preserve traditions by sharing them with new audiences.
Mahalo to Ke Aloha Outrigger for the warm hospitality and to the leaders and dancers of Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima o Nuioka for allowing us to share the stage with them. It is always a privilege to accompany hula with live music, and I am grateful to have been part of such a meaningful celebration of Hawaiian culture on the Hudson River.
I hope you enjoy the photos below from a wonderful day filled with music, hula, paddling, and aloha. Until next time, a hui hou.
