'Ohana Arts & Hula Studio

No hea mai 'oe? (Where are you from?)

On my maternal side, I have roots in Ho'okena, Hilo, and Keaukaha on the Big Island of Hawaii. On my paternal side I have Kaupo, Maui roots. I am also Chinese, Caucasian, Moroccan, and Portuguese.

I was born and raised in Hawaii. I was baptised in Waiohinu at the old Kauahaao Church which has since been rebuilt. Waiohinu is located in the Ka'u district on the Big Island of Hawaii which is said to be the landing site of the first Polynesian settlers. It is an area filled with history.

Hula performance at Kahala Mall in Honolulu. My cousin, Sheryl, is on the left and my twin sister is on the right. I am the one in the middle. My mother designed and sewed our costumes and made our leis.

I assisted my grandmother with her Hawaiian quilting classes since I was 12 years old:

I attended a school for Hawaiian children. I was educated in all facets of Hawaiian culture:

My high school trip to the volcano on the Big Island (1983) - I am in the bottom row: second person from the right in the blue shirt. My twin sister is next to me on the far right:

My husband and I were married atop Mount Tantalus. You can see Diamond Head and Waikiki in the background. On the right is a picture of us today. This August is our 19th wedding anniversary, though, we've known each other 4 years prior.

My oldest daughter and I at the Kodak Hula Show (now defunct) in 1994. I have taught my keiki (child/ren) how to dance hula since they were 2 years old.

My oldest daughter, Makana, is now headed to the University of Hawaii at Manoa and majoring in engineering. She will also continue her hula studies there.

Our 'ohana (family) in 2003, all of my 5 keiki (children) in 2005, and 4 of my kids dancing (my 2nd oldest daughter took this particular picture):

** My maternal great-great-grandmother, Rachel Lokinihama Keakuanui Among (b.1878), holding one of my great-aunts:

** My maternal great-grandmother, Bessie Among, with my Uncle Eddie. We called her "Meow Grandma" because she had a lot of cats.

** My maternal grandfather, his siblings, and my great grandparents (the DeSilva family of Hilo). Mahalo to my uncle, Kihei DeSilva, for the photo.

** My maternal grandmother, Dorothy Leilani Moniz DeSilva (d2003). She was an excellent seamstress, crocheter, and lei maker:

My paternal grandmother, Rose Lokelani Tam-Hoy, and my grandfather, Harold Lin Hau Tam-Hoy:

My paternal great-grandmother, Agnes Lum Kahoe (deceased), and paternal grandmother, Rose Lokelani Tam-Hoy. Kaimuki Grandma, which is what we call her, is a member of Hale O Na Ali'i, the Daughters of Hawaii, the Ka'ahumanu Society, and the Chinese Women's Club. Two of these organizations are royal benevolent societies in the islands whose goal is to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and traditions.

They are Master Hawaiian quilters. They have had their works displayed in the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, the Mission Houses Museum in Honolulu, and other locations in the islands, such as libraries and hotels:

** My extended family and I in 2003: I am the third person from the left in the white top. I was very, very hapai (literally means "to carry" = pregnant) :] :

"Na Mele No Na Pua" co-host Kimo Kahoano, left, and event honoree Eddie Kamae chatted with Rose Tam-Hoy after the concert. Tam-Hoy celebrates her 85th birthday on Saturday, and because Kamae will not be able to go to the party, he serenaded her a cappella.