By Doris Morisaki
If you joined us for Still & Moving Center’s first Performing Arts Collective on June 26th, you may have been surprised to learn that Audi Nodado was performing publicly on guitar for the very first time. His gentle playing created the melodic foundation for “Hanalei Moon,” but guitar is only one expression of this talented and endlessly curious artist.
Audi’s journey to Hawaiʻi has been anything but ordinary. Born and raised in the Philippines, Audi moved to the United States at 18 and built a life filled with constant learning and reinvention. He started as a delivery driver, became a dental lab technician, and later entered the world of technology just as computers were transforming the workplace. From working with mainframe computers and punch cards to developing applications and adapting to new innovations, Audi spent his career embracing change.
After retirement, Audi and his wife Patricia finally made their way to Hawaiʻi, a dream they had carried since early in their marriage. The move gave Audi the space to explore the creative passions that had always lived within him, especially photography and painting.
When Patricia discovered Still & Moving Center and began taking classes, Audi became her supportive partner, often pausing his painting to drive her to class. Sometimes he would wait in the Lyrical Lobby, simply enjoying the atmosphere. But eventually, Still & Moving drew him in too.
His first experience with hula kahiko changed everything. What began as a simple invitation to try something new quickly became a meaningful practice. Later, Kumu Mālia encouraged him to try ʻauwana hula, and Audi discovered another form of storytelling through movement.
“I feel like I’m meditating as I’m dancing,” Audi shares. “There is so much depth to the movement.”
Watching hula now feels different to him. He sees the stories, emotions, and intentions behind each gesture in a way he never noticed before. His passion has even turned into a playful household debate, as he and Patricia sometimes find themselves discussing the “correct” choreography after class. His humor, curiosity, and kindness have made him a beloved hula brother in the community.
When asked what they love most about Hawaiʻi, Audi doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s the friendliness of the people. Everyone has the ʻaloha bug.’ There is really no other place like it. It’s truly a blessing to be here.”
I asked Audi what life would look like without Still & Moving Center, and he laughed while admitting one thing: his painting has taken a back seat to hula. But watching him move, connect, and continue challenging himself, it’s clear that he has found something even more valuable.
For Audi, Still & Moving is more than a place to take classes. It’s a place to grow, discover, and belong.
“We are in the right place,” he says. “It’s perfect.”
This post is also available in: