Paschoal Hall

July 2, dance

music by king krule

Paschoal Hall, the social hall, is one of my heart-spaces here at Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Built in 1916, it was beautifully restored by NPS in 1998, and my favorite activity on the weekend is going into the hall to dance. I dance for a stadium of empty seats. But I imagine it full— full of the patients who filled these seats to watch the movies David Kepele brought down the trail. On October 9, 1931 the first talkie was shown in Kalaupapa. Live entertainment took place too— visits from John Wayne, Shirley Temple, hula groups, and choirs. Dances were held— patients donned gowns and flirted with each other. A row of flowers separated the Kokua from the patients. I like to think of myself as dancing for them. For the joy they felt in the walls of the social hall. For the dancing and stories that carried them away from Kalaupapa, just for a couple of hours. I wish that I could have an audience— but I dance to honor what the social hall was built for: entertainment and joy.

I believe buildings have purpose. Yes, we use it to have meetings and occasionally lectures— but this was a place of escape. Paschoal hall is meant to be danced in :)