These senior photos celebrated Kaʻea Alapaiʻs last year at  Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino a Hawaiian immersion high school committed perpetuating the language, customs, traditions, skills, spirituality and character of the Hawaiian people.

This active young woman’s high school accomplishments include serving as President of the Student Body, maintaining a 4.0 gpa and leading as the volleyball captain. Kaʻea is a dancer with Halau Ka'eaikahelelani.  Kaʻea’s future plans are to attend University of Hawaii at Hilo, focusing on secondary education and Hawaiian studies.

The images were taken on Kamehameha Schools Land Trust cared for by Halau Ka'eaikahelelani. The property features beautiful vegetation including majestic rainbow eucalyptus. Kaʻea chose to wore popular Hawaiian designers Sig Zane, Manuheali'i, Manaola and dressed culture consciously.

Ka'ea wants to follow in her mothers footsteps and be a Hawaiian language teacher; so during the photo session I asked the young dancer to share 'Ōlelo.  She taught me a game of competition involving chanting and use of the breath through hand gestures. Poho Nā'ū was a game that Hawaiian children played to hold their breath as long as they can to the sun so that the sun doesn’t go down because they wanted to keep playing.

Kaʻea’s mother hired EMotion Galleries through the Epic Island Photo Experience and wrote a kind review, “Working with Ranae was amazing! She was able to create the most amazing shots that I would have never imagined! She has the ability to enhance the experience by talking you into the pose and clearly making you feel very comfortable! I would highly recommend this to local kama’aina and malihini visitors alike! Pure Aloha!” This seniors mother, Kaʻea Yuki Lyons, is kumu of the Halau Ka'eaikahelelani and popular DJ of Hawaiian Radio station Kapa FM.

Photography: Ranae Keane-Bamsey of EMotion Galleries

Designers Featured:

Manaola https://www.manaolahawaii.com

Sig Zane https://sigzanedesigns.com

Manuheali'i https://www.manuhealii.com

© 2018 Ranae Keane-Bamsey Photography