About Our Hālau
The word hālau is defined as a long house for canoe, the instruction of hula and a meeting house. The figurative meaning is “shade of trees.” Nāpua O Kalei Maoli Ola means the flowers of the living native garland. Therefore, Hālau Nāpuaokaleimaoliola means a “place of learning for the flowers of the living native garland" My thoughts on the meaning is that each and every student or haumana of Hālau Nāpuaokaleimaoliola is a special flower with their own distinct color, scent and design, when fashioned with other flowers to make a lei, the beauty of this lei is stunning. It was a vision that I saw at a hoʻike at Half Moon Bay. The vision was an umbrella or a shade of trees that would reach out to share all the teachings that have been passed to me.
Hālau Nāpuaokaleimaoliola is a hālau unlike many hālau hula today. This is a place of learning not just hula, but the traditions, values and practices taught to me by my kupuna and nā kumu in my life. This place of learning is about discovering a culture whose practices are steeped in spirituality and a value known as aloha. Teachings include the practice of hula, mele, hoʻokipa, hoʻoponopono and much more.
— Kumu Kamaolipua
Roles & Kuleana
The Kumu
The role of the Kumu is to be the source and foundation from which all practices are taught. She is a leader who will instruct in practices of hoʻoponopono, hoʻokipa, storytelling, dance movements, chanting, and costume and instrument making. Qualities of this Kumu include being a teacher, mentor, artist, manager, spiritual leader, and facilitator. As a leader she will share her knowledge with her students, while also guiding them in spiritual disciplines, personal ethics, and learning to live in the spirit of Aloha. She also arranges and coordinates performances, hoʻike, and ceremonies.
Haumāna, Hoʻopaʻa, ʻŌlapa & Alakaʻi
In this hālau there are the following: Haumāna - students, pupils, apprentices; Hoʻopaʻa - those proficient in the oli (chant) and playing of the instruments and ability to lead a performance; ʻŌlapa - dancers; and Alakaʻi - leader of the haumāna as directed by the Kumu. Alakaʻi can be ʻōlapa, hoʻopaʻa and haumāna at the same time. The role of the haumāna is to be supportive, honest, and courageous, to know one's kuleana, and to live in the spirit and principles of Aloha.
Alakaʻi
Each alakaʻi will be responsible for their own individual paukū, but still uphold and teach within the same framework and foundation. They are responsible to instruct the haumāna in the lessons, as instructed and given by the Kumu, of hula, oli, mele, history, and culture. Responsibilities for each paukū might be different. For example, one may not have hula and only offer oli, mele, and culture, or have some combination.
Other roles of the Alaka'i:
- Responsible to maintain harmony within the hālau.
- Responsible to mālama day-to-day dues and monies, including bookkeeping of hālau dues and monies
- Contribute with ideas and suggestions of the continued growth of the hālau and to the website, social media, and advertising in regards to hālau.
- Assist Kumu with workshops, performances, and hoʻike.
Our Kumu Poʻo
Kamaolipua Diane Grace
Kumu Diane Kamaolipua Grace is a native Hawaiian. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, she grew up in Kuliouou Valley, on the southeast end of the island of Oʻahu. She now lives on Hawaiʻi Island, home of Pele – the goddess of fire and creation. She is a Kumu (teacher); Kahu (minister and keeper of spirit, spiritual leader); and a Ka Haku Hoʻoponopono (facilitator of a Hawaiian mediation practice). Her passion and mission is to share her love for her Hawaiian culture.
She believes that the values and traditions of her kupuna (ancestors) will help make a difference in peoples’ lives as well as make our world a better place. Like the voyaging canoe Hokuleʻa, the journey of Malama Honua – caring for our world – belongs to everyone, everywhere, and can mean learning a culture that is steeped in a loving practice called Aloha.
Through her talk-story style of teaching, she will open a door of understanding, appreciation, and joy in the dance, music, arts, language, philosophy, and spirituality of her Hawaiian people. She acknowledges all of her Kumu for her ka ʻike (knowledge) who include, first and foremost, her ʻohana (grandparents, parents, and ancestors) as well as her many nā kumu. She invites you to join her and nā pua of Hālau Nāpuaokaleimaoliola in a place of learning of what it means to Live in Aloha.
CONTACT INFo
Email 2gracefulguidance@gmail.com
Phone (808) 938-9823
Our Kumu of Hula
Nathan Evans
Kumu Nate Evans brings us his beautiful hula with grace and Aloha. His choreography and teaching of hula is truly spirit led and envelopes the mind, body, and spirit. Born and raised in Keaukaha, Hawaii, his hula roots began with his mother and Kumu Hula Kahoʻokele Crabbe. He also comes from a long line of musicians from his father and the Kalama family and has sung for halau in Japan and Singapore.
CONTACT INFO —-
Email lyricaumoe@gmail.com
Phone (808) 747-1339
CONTACT INFo
Email lyricaumoe@gmail.com
Phone (808) 747-1339