A Slew of Events Highlight HBDA’s Busy 51st Anniversary Year

Fifty years run swiftly by, and HBDA now celebrates an incredible and notable 51st Anniversary year! It still stands strong and firm on the cornerstone laid by founders Eugene Ichinose and his wife, Harriet, in 1959. Their mission: To make ballroom dancing an educational and charitable concern, dedicated to enriching the lives of the people of Hawaii nei.

Since 1998, Ben Agbayani, Dance Director, and his wife, Faith, have diligently worked together administering Chapter level and Palladium activities; overseeing fundraisers and teacher training development; programming dance classes and acquiring facilities for Chapters; directing the functions of the Executive Board, the Council, and the Dance Directors' meetings.

The 51st Anniversary Ball on August 7, 2010, at the Palladium, highlighted a full sized dinner bento ala patio style dining, general dancing, special award presentations, and student formation dancing. Featured in the excitement were the following chapters, their presentations, and their choreographers:

Kailua: Waltz (John/Karen Kotake); Kaneohe/Pearlridge: Cha Cha (Romeo/Miriam Quemado); Pearl City: Foxtrot/Tango (Mike Agor/Marcia Sorbo); Kapolei:Salsa (Maury/Eve Duque); AlaWai/Kaimuki International: Viennese Waltz/Waltz (June Kadomoto/Ed Yuen; Royal/Aiea:Tango (Mark/Patty DelaCruz); Kalihi: Samba/Rumba (Esmenio/Roselily Andres); Mililani: Waltz (Eugene/Melanie Higa); Aliamanu:Cha Cha/Swing (Benny/Faith Agbayani; Kaimuki/Manoa: Viennese Waltz (Eric/Gail Tiwanak.

Special Awards presented were: Dance Director Awards, Chapter Awards, Lifetime Member Awards, and Certificates of Meritorious Service to Chapter volunteers and Telemark instructors.

D.D. Ben Agbayani and President Eric Tiwanak Were the Award Presenters

Certificates of Meritorious Service Were Presented to Chapter Volunteers

Special Chapter Award to Beta Chapter Recipients - Bill & Gloria Klein

Lifetime Membership Is Awarded to Eve and Maury Duque

Paul Lee Receives One of the Dance Director's Award

Kailua Chapter Opens the Formations' Program With a Waltz

Kaneohe/Pearlridge Chapters Dance the Cha Cha

Pearl City Chapter: Spiritedly Does a Foxtrot/Tango Medley in a Chorus Line

A Sassy Salsa's Done by the Kapolei Chapter

Ala Wai/Kaimuki International Chapters Pose After Finishing the Viennese Waltz/Waltz

Royal/Aiea Chapters Step Rhythmically to the Tango

Mililani Chapter Waltzes Into Circle Formation

Aliamanu Chapter Slithers Off the Floor After their Cha Cha/Swing Medley

Kaimuki/Manoa Chapters Dance the Finale, a Viennese Waltz

New quests gained this year which have been exciting and productive are: a formed business partnership with Aloha Pacific Credit Union and a Review Night format for the second and fourth Saturdays at Aliamanu Middle School. Review nights are free to all registered students (turnout has been great) where steps taught in American Social and International classes during that week are reviewed and practiced. General dancing also gets interspersed in between as well as grazing at the food table during intermission.

Rounding out the rest of 2010 will include: Central Maui Chapter's 21st Anniversary Ball ( August 14), a Las Vegas Extravaganza VI at Sam's Town (September 25), Kokua Aikane Fundraiser (September 4), HI State Elections -Building Fundraiser (Primary & General Elections), Masquerade Ball (November), Turkey Dance (November), Palladium Fundraiser, Mele Kalikimaka Ball, and a New Year’s Eve Ball (last three are all in December).

Join in, and let’s have some fun!

web: hbda~hawaii.org e-mail: hawaiiballroomdance@hawaii.rr.com