January - Garnet
Feburary - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearl
July - Ruby
August - Peridot
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October - Opal
November - Citrine
December - Tanzanite| Polynesian Spotlight |
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This months topic is about wonderful person and Ohana I have known for over 15 years and love and respect with all my heart.
The Kamai Ohana are of rich Hawaiian and Tahitian accessory. Ezekiel Kamai was born and raised in the beautiful Islands of Hawaii and fell deeply in love with Sis Kamai who was born and raised in the Islands of Tahiti French Polynesia. They raised there family of four in Hawaii and Tahiti while teaching them to love and embrace there Hawaiian and Tahitian culture.
Ezekiel was then later offered a position to work for Brigham Young University in Provo Utah. Which he moved his Ohana to the mainland to continue there legacy
Living in the mainland and being around such diversity Ezekiel made sure that he continued to teach and inbed their ancestory in to there children. One main focus was teaching them the art of Traditional Hawaiian and Tahitian dance. Even sharing their culture with others by forming dance groups.
Teariimana Ammon Ikaikalikaleohokulaniokekai Ezekiel Kamai is the second oldest in the family and the only Son. While growing up, Ammom was more into sports and hanging out with friends. "Growing up in a house full of lots of cultural background each of us kids took certain interests at various times." Ammon states.
Ammon attended BYU Hawaii where he was able to embrace the Hawaiian culture even more. He involed himself with the Polynesian Cultural Center and danced in the Alii Luau night show & Canoe pageant show. This atmosphere and learning experiance was able to help him understand and gain respect for his culture also while learning and loving the art of the other Polynesian cultures. Apart of Ammon’s experience is when he lived in Tahaiti and was taught by the French Polynesia people the beauty of his mothers ancestry.
"Dancing and training with infamous Tahitian dance groups such as O Tahiti E, Les Grandes Ballets de Tahiti and Maeva O Tahiti has enriched my life and has opened my eyes more for this culture."
That’s when he decided to move back to the mainland and create his own Tahitian vision.
Kanamu Dance Company was established in Sept. 2005. Ammon chose the name Kanamu in Memory of his father and mentor, the Late Ezeikal Kanamu Kamai. " It brought a smile to my dads face when he saw us Teaching all of our kids how to dance and enjoy the same benefits we did when we were kids."
Kanamu Dance Company offers many verities of dance. Still enriched with the Traditional Polynesian Dance, Ammon has created more of a twist offering Hip Hop, Ballroom and modern dance. KDC has garnered many awards in Tahitian Dance competition around America. Including California, Utah Hawaiian and now Tahiti.
KDC has evolved and will continue to evolve with the times.
The Utah Arts Council declares that "KDC Is Utah's Premier Polynesian Entertainment" and the
Deseret News says "KDC Is Always New & Edgy In Their Dances & Costumes!"
Ammon’s devotion and love for his culture has created such a positive impact on our community. With his strong desire and heart he teaches many generations of youth such an important part of their heritage. We need more Ammon Kamai’s in our Polynesian Community to help keep our Culture and pride within our children. Thank you Ammon.
"When my Father passed away he left more then just his messages of love and his Hawaiian spirit. He left with us a deep knowledge of our heritage from the beautiful islands of Hawaii."
KAMAMU DANCE COMPANY:
To become a member of KDC there are many steps to different teams. For example there is our Tahitian Akademy, which was made for beginners to learn and have fun at the same time. Ammon teaches to more upbeat music. It just makes it fun for them to learn a new dance. When you feel you are ready to advance you can either audition for the Black Team, which is the competition team or you can audition for the Luau Team. Lua Team is the team that travels to advertise the Dance Company.
We are very strict on keeping everything you learn to the Dance Company you belong to currently or used to be with. We respect it from other groups and expect the same respect when they join our Dance Company. As dancers for KDC you will be expected to give a lot of time. We do competitions and have 2 - 3 shows a weekend. So, there is a chance to make money doing what you love to do. Dance.
To contact us you can reach the following numbers:
Ammon "Babe3 Kai"
801-616-6669
Mok@provo.edu
Tanya Schumaker
801-718-4036
nineschus@hotmail.com
Official Myspace Website
www.myspace.com/kanamutribe
Official Website
www.kanamudancecompany.com
   
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