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Halau Huakaʻi Hoʻomau: Continuing Our Halau Journey


Since our last hālau blog entry in August 2025, we have continued to move forward together, step by step, chant by chant, and class by class. While time may have quietly passed on the calendar, within the hālau there has been steady growth, meaningful connection, and moments worth reflecting upon.


This season reaffirmed that a hālau is shaped not only through performance, but through gathering, learning, and sharing culture with intention. The experiences below highlight how our hālau continues to strengthen its foundation through ʻohana, kuleana, and aloha.



🌿 Gathering as ʻOhana: Halau Annual Picnic

On September 21, 2025, our hālau gathered for a day of connection and celebration at our Hālau Annual Picnic. More than a social gathering, the event included a casual hula hōʻike for ʻohana and friends, creating a welcoming space for students to share the hula they have been learning.


All haumāna participated, dancing both kahiko and ʻauana. Performing in this relaxed setting allowed students to gain confidence and experience, while reminding us that meaningful hula can be shared outside of formal stages. Special mahalo goes to our in-house musicians, who practiced diligently to ensure the mele and rhythm aligned seamlessly with our dancers. Their commitment and preparation supported the hālau in moving together with clarity and intention.


The picnic also reflected the heart of ʻohana. Families gathered, keiki played, and everyone enjoyed a potluck filled with dishes shared with love. These moments of connection strengthened pilina and reinforced the relationships that support our hālau beyond the studio.


We concluded the day with a special ceremony to officially welcome our newest ʻAlakaʻi haumāna into her leadership kuleana. This meaningful moment marked an important milestone and reminded us of the responsibility and trust carried within hālau leadership. The Hālau Picnic was a successful and joyful event—one that reflected shared effort, growth, and community.



🌺 Private Hula Lessons: Sharing Hula Through Life’s Milestones

In addition to regular hālau classes, this season included offering private hula lessons for individuals preparing for meaningful personal milestones. These sessions provided focused instruction grounded in cultural understanding, intention, and respect.


I had the privilege of teaching several wāhine preparing for special occasions, such as, college graduations, birthday celebrations, and weddings. Each lesson emphasized not only movement, but also understanding the mele and the responsibility that comes with sharing hula.


One especially meaningful experience involved a Latina bride, Sophia Bella, preparing to marry a young Hawaiian man. While the hālau was scheduled to perform a half-hour program at their wedding, she wanted to surprise her husband with a solo hula performance. For five weeks, she trained privately in secret, learning with dedication and humility.


On their wedding day, she offered that hula as a gift, sharing a powerful cultural experience rooted in love and intention. It was later an unexpected honor to learn that this moment was featured in People Magazine, including a photo capturing her performance with me in the background as I shared insight about the mele she danced.


This experience reaffirmed how hula, when taught and shared responsibly, can serve as a meaningful bridge between cultures and families.



Additional 2025 Events highlights

As we closed out 2025, we also had opportunities to share hula at several community and special events following our last blog entry. While not detailed above, these performances remain an important part of our journey and growth as a hālau. Footage from each event is linked below for reference and reflection.



These events allowed our haumāna to apply their learning in real settings, connect with diverse audiences, and continue building confidence through cultural exchange.


🌿 Closing Reflection

Looking back on the months since our last entry, we see how the hālau continues to grow through shared experiences and intentional practice. From gathering as ʻohana to sharing hula within deeply personal life moments, each experience reflects the values that guide our work.


These moments remind us that hula is carried with responsibility, whether danced collectively as a hālau or shared individually as a gift of culture and aloha. Every haumāna contributes to the collective journey we continue to walk. Mahalo to our students, families, musicians, and extended ʻohana for your trust and commitment. Through this shared kuleana, our hālau continues forward, rooted in ʻike kūpuna and guided by purpose.


~ Written by: Kumu Kawahine


 
 
 

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