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emmy 💐

@emmyokinaka

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Dancer/Choreographer | Filmmaker | Photographer
Based on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi 💐🎥🧑🏻‍🩰🎬🩰⭐️
@emmysmemories @xstaticdancestudiohawaii

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Before the year ends, I wanted to share one of my favorite moments of this year: the creation of my short film, Last Dance.

It began as a screenplay assignment in 2022. Something small that quietly stayed with me. Over time, it grew into the most meaningful and anticipated passion project of my college career, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible people who joined me along the way.

In Fall 2024, we pitched the film and got it green-lit. From there, things moved fast: I finished the final script, we gathered our amazing crew, cast our talented actors, prepped props and costumes, created shot lists, and developed the choreography together. Then we brought the story to life on set, shot the film over five days, edited it in a month, and premiered it at the SCA Showcase, where we won Best Cinematography, Best Individual Performance, and received multiple nominations.

Months later, Last Dance was selected for the Hawaii International Film Festival in the University Shorts category. In October, we had our official HIFF premiere and shared the film with a wider audience, celebrating all the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

I am endlessly grateful for my cast, crew, and everyone who supported us from the beginning. This film gave me more than I ever expected. Friendships, memories, and the chance to end this chapter of my life doing the two things I love with the people who believed in me.

Thank you for dancing with me until the final show 🩰🎬💜🥺 taken in University of Hawaii at Manoa by @emmyokinaka

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10 months ago

Jumping into a new chapter ✨🌹

Four years ago, after fifteen years of dancing, I quit. Burned out by the pandemic and events at my studio, I moved to Oʻahu to study film and left dance behind. I didn’t tell anyone I’d been a dancer—I wanted a clean slate.

Over time, I took a dance few classes, but it still felt complicated. In my freshman year, I wrote a screenplay to process it—an early draft of what became my capstone film, Last Dance. Last summer, while preparing to pitch the project, I started dancing regularly again. What began as research turned into genuine joy.

In January, during one of the hardest times of my life, I turned to dance—not out of obligation, but for comfort. It grounded me. I attended four classes a week, no matter how tired or overwhelmed I was. Somewhere in that routine, I realized my relationship with dance had finally healed.

Now, I dance just for me—not for solos or roles, but simply because it makes me happy. After years of trying to erase that part of myself, my final semester at UH became all about dance. I took a contemporary class, a visual media for dance course, and created two dance-centered films. It’s been the most fulfilling, full-circle experience.

Dance truly heals. Even if you walk away, it’ll be there when you’re ready to return. by @emmyokinaka

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a year ago

Am I in California or is Cassandra in Hawaii? 🫂🌷🌼🧑🏻‍🩰🫖🍃 by @emmyokinaka

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21 days ago

You asked for more jazz funk… say less 😚💋

Thank you everyone for bringing so much energy to class and letting loose with this one. You all definitely loosened up those buttons.

Always so grateful I get to create and share my choreography with you guys. Thank you to Mel & Kevin for dancing with me! 🫶

🎵 Buttons by @pussycatdolls
🕺🏻 @its.melz.z @keviedon @emmyokinaka
🗺️ @xstaticdancestudiohawaii
🎥 @beccadee311
🧠 yours truly 🫰 by @emmyokinaka

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a month ago

one night I was bored in bed and decided I absolutely had to choreograph to @oliviarodrigo ‘s new song ✨

thank you to everyone who continues to take my classes 🥹 every time you show up and go all out, it makes my heart so happy watching everyone perform their craft. you all looked like angels on the walls of versailles 🪽

always so grateful for the opportunity to teach at X Static and share my creativity with you all 🫶

📍 @xstaticdancestudiohawaii
🎶 drop dead by @oliviarodrigo
🧠 yours truly <3 by @emmyokinaka

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5 months ago

she’s still 23 inside her fantasy 💜💐#23onthe23rd 🍰

photos by: @mulumbles + @emmysmemories by @emmyokinaka

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6 months ago

Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City 🎲🌉💫🎡🏙️🍂🛩️ taken in Daniel K. Inouye International Airport by @emmyokinaka

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a year ago

I Love You, I’m Sorry choreography for the people and the studio that made me fall in love with dancing again 🫶

This song has gotten me through so much this year so of course I had to dance to it. Thank you all for taking my 1ST adult open styles class at X Static. Hope to teach you all again soon 💜

🎶: @gracieabrams
📍: @xstaticdancestudiohawaii
🎥: @dazeydarrian
🧠: 🙋🏻‍♀️

P.S. This was one of my surprise songs at the eras tour and it wasn’t my favorite then, but it is now :P taken in X Static Dance Studio Hawaii by @emmyokinaka

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a year ago

If you told 7 year old Emmy she’d see her favorite band in concert (more than once), she’d be ecstatic. And I must say, I was.

This tour opened up so many nostalgic feelings. I can’t even begin to explain the happiness of my 7-year-old self. Picture This: she had No Idea her favorite member would change as she grew up. She took a Shot in the Dark and ended up with 2nd row tickets. And the craziest part? She got noticed by her favorite member @loganhenderson during one of her favorite songs (I’m still recovering).

Thank you @bigtimerush for a Big Night and finally playing my favorite song (This Is Our Someday) live. I fell in love with the band All Over Again, and Nothing Even Matters when I’m watching them on stage.

I can Count On You to make every show Amazing. I Know You Know that If I Ruled The World I’d be at every single show—but for now, I’ll see you in March 2026 ❤️🖤

Also… shoutout to Stephen Kramer Glickman (Gustavo) and Katelyn Tarver (Jo Taylor) for elevating the night even more!

#btrirlworldwidetour taken in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino by @emmyokinaka

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a year ago

Graduation, Scene 4-UHM, Take 1 🎬💥

4 years and 6 films later, I’m so excited to finally earn my BA in Cinematic Arts-Digital Cinema with a minor in Communicology 🎥📝🎭💃🏻🎞️🥰

Photos by @faithcreatiive 📸
Hakulei by @hakuleibykay 💐 taken in University of Hawaii at Manoa by @emmyokinaka

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a year ago

What’s that one Taylor Swift song again? 🧣🥂🍰 by @emmyokinaka

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a year ago

Long story short, I grabbed my passport, booked the night train for a reason, made the friendship bracelets, took the moment and tasted it, whatever happened I let it, and made the whole place shimmer! 🌃✨💙 I had the time of my life with you @taylorswift 🫶 HBD🎈

Vancouver Dump!! 🎄☃️✈️ taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @emmyokinaka

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2 years ago