Reflection

Growing up on the North Shore of Oʻahu, I stood on five acres of farmland. With the mauka to my right and makai to the left, I lived in a postcard. However, witnessing the summertime fires on Mount Kaʻala and pollution on the once pristine beaches, I have begun to notice how climate change has affected my home. The periodic fires, falling ash, and smoke making it impossible to breathe have fueled me to bring awareness to global warming. In addition, with the recent and deadly fires in Lahaina, Maui, I knew I wanted to tell a story of what our Earth has been through and how its environment has changed for the worse. As a dancer, I have always levitated to the lyrical or contemporary styles because they allow me to express my emotions and experiences. Therefore, I created a two minute lyrical duet and taught it to my friend, Mimi. To convey tones of despair and passion, I connected with my internal fight against climate change. By also connecting to the dramatic music and lyrics from “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele, we performed to tell a story about the conflicts of the ongoing wildfires while representing the violence of fire. Through my performance, I aim to address the emotional loss of Hawaiʻi’s community, while inspiring others to act. The need for a sustainable future must be universal.