Hui Lokahi

Besides my own halau, Hui Hula Ka Hale o Ku`u Hoaloha Hula ("Ka Hale Hula"), I also teach classes at Pleasant Hill Community Center and Concord Senior Center. Some of the women at Concord had been dancing as long as three years before I was asked to succeed their teacher, Aunty June, so she could undertake other tasks at the center.

Shortly after I started teaching the Concord class, we were asked to perform at one of the center's community events. Since some of the women already had pretty red and yellow hula skirts (pa`u), we decided to build up their costumes based on the skirts they already had made, rather than require everyone to get something new. Besides, red and yellow are Hawai`i's royal colors, and would be appropriate for any dance.

These women are very dedicated dancers, and they work hard to master the hula. They are enjoying everything I've asked them to learn. Of course, I've made a few changes in the class - every teacher does. First, when I learned they had not learned any kahiko (chanted-song) numbers, I launched them into "E Lili`u E," which is a tribute to the physical beauty of Queen Lili`uokalani. It is our opening number at our shows, based on the old custom of opening hula shows with tributes to deities and their earthly representatives, the royals. Lili`uokalani was Hawai`i's last monarch, and she was admired greatly by my mother.

I also decided that a group that has been meeting this long should have a name, one that would reflect something of their heritage. These dancers meet at Concord Senior Center, and so I suggested the name "Hui Lokahi." Hui means organization or group, a less formal name than "halau" for a hula group, but a good word. "Lokahi" means accord - and concord. A pun? Perhaps, but it's also an appropriate name for this hula group.

These women are so dedicated, we've started a pre-hula-class study of the Hawaiian language! It's not the easiest endeavor, but those attending certainly are enjoying a new adventure!

The women are expanding their hula repertoire, and as they continue to appear in Concord, the audience will see their hula evolve. I'm lucky that I get to be their teacher!

Ka Hale Hula

"Hui Ka Hale o Ku`u Hoaloha Hula"

Aloha and welcome to "KaHaleHula," my new blog. You also can find out more on Yahoo 360's "Little Red Hen Construction Company," where I've been blogging for years.

"Ka Hale Hula" - The Hula House

This new blog will feature Hui Hula Ka Hale o Ku`u Hoaloha Hula, my hula school, or halau, of which I am the alaka`i, or guide. We dance under the auspices of Kumu Kau`ihealani Mahikoa Brandt, the 2007 recipient of the Ho`okahiko Award for her life's work in sharing aspects of the Hawaiian culture so that it can be better appreciated throughout the world.

"Aunty Kau`i receives the Ho`okahiko Award"

Our halau is focused on hula, but we incorporate Hawaiian language, culture and arts and crafts into our classes.

"The halau in performance"

We also perform shows as our way to share the Hawaiian culture and, in keeping with Aunty Kau`i's life work, to encourage appreciation of this beautiful culture.

"Aunty Kau`i making a lei"

Born in Honolulu, I was surrounded by Hawaiian music as a child, but did not start hula until I was an adult. Our family was transferred to the continental U.S. while I was still young, and quality hula instruction was hard to find. I was fortunate to meet Karina D'Errico, who provided my initial foundation and then sent me to Aunty Kau`i. Aunty Kau`i taught me hula, introduced me to teaching, and encouraged me to expand my studies into language and cultural arts.

"Making kapa during the show 'Aumakua'"

When I moved to California, I continued my training with Harriet Spalding, who was of the Kanaka`ole lineage. When she could no longer teach, I studied with Mikioi Iwamoto, whose halau, Ka Ua Lililehua, continues to produce excellent programs and beautiful dancers.

"Halau o Ka Ua Lililehua - Mikioi Iwamoto's halau"


I spent four years in Texas, where I both studied and taught, then returned to California, where I was asked by prospective students to start my own halau. The result is Ka Hale o Ku`u Hoaloha Hula.

"Our halau before a show"

"Ka Hale Hula" means "The Hula House," and that's where we meet. Our dance floor looks like polished coconut shell, and the house's exterior is a calm seafoam green with ivory trim.

"Class time at Ka Hale Hula"


We have at least two classes a week at this house, where dancers are greeted by our two cats, India, or matriarch, and Kamalani MonkeyCat, our youngster.

"Waiting for hula class - India and Kamalani MonkeyCat"

This halau has been a blessing to me, and I hope it will continue to be a blessing for those who decide to join.

"Pau Hana Kitty" - India snoozes after a class