Imagine asking the most respected matriarchs of Hawaiian culture and hula to bare their bosoms to raise awareness about breast cancer.
It’s a daunting request, especially of your elders.
Hawaiian cultural specialist and hula teacher ‘Iwalani Evelyn Rae Walsh Wahinekapu Tseu, a two-time cancer survivor, did just that and was heartened to find dozens of women coming forward to support her.
Among them are the likes of master kumu hula Agnes Cope, Hawaiian-language scholar Edith McKinzie, hula dancer Kanoe Cazimero, musician Mihana Souza and fashion designer Puamana Crabbe.
More than 100 women — from teens to women in their 80s — posed topless for the project, some individually, others in groups. They were artfully photographed with lei, musical instruments and other props or in other modest poses.
"That was my healing force," said Tseu. "Love heals all. When they all came and lovingly exposed themselves, that was my healing force. It was all done with pride, honor and elegance, and that’s what it’s all about."
When Tseu, 64, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in October 2005, the single mother of three was devastated. Twenty years prior she successfully battled cervical cancer, which was discovered when she was pregnant with her third daughter. She did not expect cancer to strike again.
An estimated 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the U.S. (1,090 of them in Hawaii) this year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Breast cancer incidence and mortality were highest among Native Hawaiian women compared with other groups between 2000 and 2005, according to "Hawai‘i Cancer Facts & Figures 2010," the most recent publication available from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
But breast cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among all females patients in Hawaii, regardless of race or ethnicity.
IT WAS while Tseu was undergoing surgery followed by several weeks of radiation that the seeds for the ‘Iwalani Foundation were sown. The foundation’s mission is to raise awareness about breast cancer while providing a compassionate shoulder for survivors to lean on, with an emphasis on the values of aloha. The photo project, initiated in 2006, is a big part of it.
While Tseu initially thought of publishing a calendar with the portraits, she now envisions a book with the working title "Magnificent Women of Hawaii, Making a Difference."
Photographer Marc Schechter took the portraits over several weeks, providing his services for free.
Not all of the women who posed have breast cancer, but roughly a third were diagnosed and a few have since died from it.
Following Hawaiian protocol, Tseu sought permission from kupuna across Oahu before embarking on the project.
Upon presenting her vision to Cope at a meeting at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, she was nervous. Tseu gave her spiel and was at first met with silence. Then, graciously, Cope, who was in her 80s at the time, said, "I’m one of your models."
"I just fell to my knees and started crying because it was a beautiful answer to be gifted with," said Tseu.
Last month Tseu teamed up with her hula student Tasha Chang, store manager of Pictures Plus, to make the unpublished photos available for purchase until the end of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Chang, 38, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in March 2010.
The discovery of a lump led to a biopsy, and before she knew it Chang was undergoing chemotherapy, then a double mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery. She underwent four surgeries within an 18-month period.
"I just didn’t take it seriously," said Chang, who led a workaholic lifestyle at the time. "I was sick but just didn’t acknowledge it and wasn’t paying attention to my own health and wellness."
WHILE BOTH she and Tseu are in remission now, they say the scars left by cancer, both physically and emotionally, remain.
"You go through different levels of grief, physically, emotionally, mentally and sometimes financially," said Tseu. "It’s very difficult."
Chang is the foundation’s spokeswoman for women under 40. She said her platform, which uses the slogan "Just own it, darling," is encouraging women to open up and talk about breast cancer, which can strike all ages and ethnicities.
Many women just don’t think breast cancer can happen to females under the age of 40, she said.
The most difficult part is not just the pain, scars and hair loss from treatment, but how relationships with friends and family change, according to Chang.
Eight months ago she couldn’t talk about her cancer without difficulty but now wants to share her experience to help others. Her advice: "Be authentic and be real. Don’t let pride get in the way."
Tseu is now seeking funds to get the book of photos published. Every photo is a record of empowerment, she said.
In June, when some of the photos were unveiled at Pictures Plus, she was pleased to present a portrait of late feather lei master Mary Lou Kekuewa to her daughter, Paulette Kahalepuna. Kekuewa died of breast cancer in 2008.
The portrait is of the older woman and Kahalepuna together draped in feather lei of orange and gold.
With a book, Tseu said, all the women will be remembered for a lifetime.
Tseu herself is in one of the portraits, posing with her daughter, Tatiana Tseu-Fox, Kanoe Cazimero, Julie Bouvier and kumu hula Kilohana Silve.
The portrait’s message is "open your eyes, listen to the truth, speak out and never turn your back to this horrible disease." To convey that message, Tseu has her back turned to the camera.
"Cancer has no boundaries," said Tseu. "Never turn your back on educating yourself about breast cancer. Of all the photos you’ll see, that is my statement."
The foundation encourages women to learn about their family history and know the facts. Her other message to women in Hawaii is, "Your body is a temple. Malama i ke kino — take care of your body."
Tseu fields several phone calls a day from individuals who need to talk about breast cancer. She also started a "healing garden" in Ewa Beach that offers a quiet retreat.
"Cancer was a blessing in disguise because it made me a stronger person," she said. "Now I can be a help and support to whoever calls me."
Every day she wakes up is a gift, she said, adding that she wants to be around for her children and grandchildren.
"It’s inevitable that we’re all going to pass, but we want to make the journey as joyful as possible and release ourselves from fear when we’re hit by cancer," she said. "We must learn and listen, love and laugh, and live to leave a legacy."
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The ‘Iwalani Foundation portraits are available at Pictures Plus (Ward Warehouse) and Plus Interiors (Pearl Highlands, Kahala Mall) and www.pictures-plus.com until the end of October. To contact the ‘Iwalani Foundation, call 623-6776 or email iwalanihula1@yahoo.com.
