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Project Team |
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Isa MariaArtist, project coordinator of Aloha Africa,
drummer, dancer, Nonviolent Communication Practitioner. See her
paintings at isamaria.com. |
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Ron MayerIsland-based urban bohemian artist recluse. Ron designed the Aloha-Africa website along with isa. |
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Richard KwabenaRichard provides crucial support for Aloha-Africa at home in Ghana. A social worker and former immigration officer in Accra, he helped achieve the nearly impossible goal of obtaining visas and a work permit for the traveling artists. Without Richard, there would be no Aloha-Africa. |
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PsolarCertified Aircraft Quality Assurance Inspector & Temple Lomi Lomi Practitioner, Sol Man is Aloha-Africa's videographer. His documentary films of the cultural exchange are showing regularly on Ho'ike Kauai Community Television and are for sale upon request. Sol Man Productions: loveregeneration@netscape.net, 639-5234 |
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Bruce OrthGuitarist, keyboardist, composer Bruce Orth can be seen playing in the East Side Blues Band. He has produced and recorded over 30 CDs, including Love Tribe's new "Drumming up Revolution" and a collaborative work "Vibe da Tribe," at Kalihiwai Studios. Bruce races and fixes bikes, organizes bike rides for charities, and teaches bicycle maintenance and repair. He was inspired by the film, "Emmanuel's Gift," about a man in Ghana who needed a bike. Bruce is excited about playing music, recording, and exchanging ideas with master drummer Ernest.
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Steven and Merlyn RuddellSteven and Merlyn are the parents of Aloha-Africa. They initiated the One Family at a Time program. Steven is a new student of the djembe and has a practice of improvisational drumming and sounding. Merlyn is the CEO for a property management firm with properties in California and Arizona. She is a talented writer, dancer, and painter. Steven and Merlyn are students of Nonviolent Communication as taught by Marshall Rosenberg. Together, they live in a joyful adventure with their children on an organic fruit farm near Kilauea on Kauai. |
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Scott Silverston supports the Aloha Africa Cultural Exchange Project by providing housing for the visiting musicians and dancers. He is a lover of all music with a groove and also a student of Djembe, Dunun and guitar. Scott is the author of Voices of the Earth, An Oracle of the Web of Life and the founder of Kauai Hiking Adventures, Walk In Beauty In A Sacred Way |
Hula: Cultural Exchange |
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Jessi JardinJessi Jardin (Halau Hula Ha’iwi Hemolele o Keakawaiola) has been a member of Humu Hula Roselle Bailey’s multi-ethnic halau, Ka ‘imi Na Auau O Hawai’I Nei, for thirty years. The fusion of dance and music from around the world is her expertise and her passion. Jessi is Aloha-Africa's Kumu Hula. |
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Doric YarisDoric Yaris (Halau Hula o Hali’ileo) nurtures local children’s awareness of their own Hawaiian cultural history and values. His large halau includes a group of elders, the only Kane (male) hula group on the island, as well as a group that entertains regularly in hotels. Doric also leads a halau in Japan. Doric speaks about Aloha-Africa
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Mauli Ola CookMauli Ola Cook serves as alaka’i (teaching assistant) for Papa Laua’e ‘o Makana, the Kaua’i class of halau Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima under the direction of Kumu Hula Victoria Holt Takamine. Kaua’i’s beloved Kumu Mauli brings Hula and Hawaiian studies to our school children all over the island. An accomplished African dancer herself, Kumu Mauli has been active in cultural exchanges for many years. |
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Puna Kalama DawsonPuna Kalama Dawson (Kaipuha’a o Kekauilani Na Pua Hala o Kau’ai) is highly regarded as a keeper of ancient Hawaiian wisdom. She humbly and generously shares the vast spiritual knowledge of her lineage by facilitating ceremony and healing, hosting many cultural exchanges, and by example. |
Special Thanks |
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Mahalo for the generous support of our friends and sponsors, including DJ and Steve Star, Benjy Garfinkle, Neal Norman, Ileana Carreno, Taj Jure and Marc Andre, Lady Galactica, Larry Magnussen, Aki Conquest, Greg Strickland, Josh, Damien, Latifa Amdur, Caroline Hazelton, Tracey Schavone, Karuna, Anne O'Malley, Candace Freeland, Fawne Frailey, Sunday Murch, Carol Yotsuda, Toni Kilbert, Sandra Aaron, Hezar Blue, Dennis Mendonca, Ken Jopling, Megan McCullough, Randye Schwartz, Chuck George, Juan WIlson, Shakira Freeman, Kim Coco Iwamoto, Amos Kotomori, Keith and Louise Arakake, Donn Forbes, Mary Stone, Darryl Miyasato, and Zak (Wovenmedia Productions).
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