A Hui Kaua: remembering our hula sister Jackie Torres

On September 28th, 2020, we lost our dear hula sister Jackie Torres to her heroic fight with colon cancer. We are heartbroken and miss her every day.

Jackie reluctantly learned her first hula in February of 1993 and later that year, performed for an audience of 600 at a fundraiser luau for the Goleta Filipino Community Association. However, it wasn’t until four years later that she returned, positively charged, and stepped back in rhythm with the Hula Anyone dancers. Passion fueled her commitment. Her commitment brought leadership. Her leadership brought mentoring. Her mentoring brought inspiration. 

The hula family was her positive force of support.

It was also through hula that she met and married Patrick Calimpong, a Hula Anyone dancer and a local Hawaiian pro surfer. Their three sons Kanoa, Kai, and Keoni also became active Hula Anyone dancers and participants. Not to mention their Tutu Kane, grandfather, who also graced the Lobero Theater stage in a one time hula performance with Jackie. Simply divine! Three generations with Jackie being the vortex.

Jackie was a woman in constant motion but never too busy to share her love of life with those around her. An outlook always bright and hopeful, her genuine optimism led each of us to believe that anything was possible. For many years, Jackie’s house became the hub for many of our ‘ohana’s group gatherings, offering her family’s space to host various celebrations as well as our beloved “uke jams” evenings. She was always there if any of us needed help, an ear to listen, to feast and imbibe with, for laughter and silliness. Jackie emanated “aloha” everywhere she went. 

Jackie left a huge and deep footprint in us all. She will be greatly missed but her life gave us memories too beautiful to forget. May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten.

With our love and deepest sympathy as we remember, Jackie.