Lauren Kawana

Training under Tamaribuchi since 2006, Molina enjoyed performing with the group her first couple of years, but says she had to “get over not being Japanese” when Tamaribuchi asked her if she wanted to teach. “I was a little apprehensive, because I am African American and it’s a Japanese cultural art,” Molina says. “But as I started teaching, I realized that I really had a voice.

On “If Cities Could Dance,” watch Honolulu’s Kumu Hula Snowbird Bento and members of her school share the dances of their ancestors, passed down through the generations. [Download English transcript for “If Cities Could Dance: Honolulu Hula“] When she was nine years old, Snowbird Puananiopaokalani Bento took the bus from downtown Honolulu to Plumeria Square in Kaimuki for hula class every Saturday morning.

Following the surprising resignation of Superintendent Tony Smith three weeks ago, the Oakland School Board announced Monday morning its plan to appoint board director Gary Yee as acting superintendent. The board will formally vote on the matter at its next meeting on Wednesday.