Hula Me Ka Mahalo

30/08/2024

With this post, I want to write about my family background and how I fell in love with Polynesian culture 💚

I am my family’s 1st generation born in the states; My father and his mother migrated here from the Philippines 🇵🇭. My mom and her siblings came with my grandparents from Belize 🇧🇿 so I am born & raised in beautiful California 🌞

Being of such a mixed descent, I grew up not feeling enough of anything, whether Black or Asian, and often confused for Mexican, I didn’t consider myself to be anything but a pretty brown gyal.

I grew up closest to my mother’s side and have been able to connect on deeper levels with my Belizean roots, experiencing the Caribbean jungles and islands. Belize truly feels like home to me and my son when we visit. Always plotting how we can stay 💚💚

Although near & far, the relationship with my dad plays a big part in how I discovered hula dancing. A long term girlfriend of his was a hula dancer and I’d tag along to her practices and use her implements whenever I’d go to visit. It was then I fell in love with the culture and knew I wanted to be a dancer too.

With all the support of my mom, she signed me up for classes at different Hālau to advance me in dancing. It was in these spaces that I felt the most at home and seen. I didn’t have to check a box and be one thing or other on paper. The dancers I see are brown skinned like me, with big hair like my own & so beautifully diverse.

I am a forever student of dance, with respect to ancient culture and traditional Polynesian dancing and embracing modern styles. With that said, I am a Pacific Island woman and I am everything my family represents. So shout out to my parents for these genes as I am grateful to be able to embody a bit of it all 😌🌺🫶🏽

If you made it this far, mahalo for reading 🤙🏽💕

Hula Me Ka Mahalo: With Gratitude, We Dance! ✨✨

Interested in bookings, lessons or collaboration?
Be sure to check out new website:
www.hulamekamahalo.com

06/08/2024

In the city of La Mirada, at the Concert under the Stars event, nā wāhine of Island Fitness had the opportunity to promote our class and dance to live performances by Faiva! A big mahalo to the ladies who encouraged us and danced alongside us. It was a pleasure making memories with new friends at this fun experience 🙌🏽

There are two classes left of our Summer classes 👏🏽👏🏽 Upcoming Fall Sessions will change to Wednesdays 7-8pm, starting August 21st. We hope you can make it 🤙🏽🙌🏽
rose

15/07/2024

Congrats to our ladies for completing their first 5 week session of Island Fitness! We’re so proud of everyone’s progress 💪🏽👏🏽👏🏽🥳🥳

Join us for our next 5-week session starting Tuesday 7/16 @7-8pm in La Mirada. Feel free to message me with any questions 🤙🏽 Mahalo! 🌺

15/07/2024

Next 5 week session starts tomorrow!
We hope to see you there 🙌🏽🤩

15/05/2024

Last week I was asked to join in AANHPI Heritage event and bring HM to Edwards AFB 🙌🏽 Here are some of my fav pics dancing alongside my niece Riley 🥰 I’m so proud of her efforts to practice and prep for her first event with HM 💖 I’m grateful & happy to be back in my zone of teaching kiddos, but with the added bonus of my pineapple princess 🍍👑

18/03/2024

🌞❤️

13/11/2023

Summer may be over, but HULA is always in season 🤙🏽 Dancers available for birthday & holiday celebrations 🙌🏽🎄🎆🥂🎉

Contact me for details, questions, and rates. Open to commute within Orange and L.A County.

Mahalo 🌺

18/09/2023

Oh my 🤭😍💚 love this Kahiko 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Merrie Monarch 2008Ke Kai O KahikiKumu Hula: O'Brien EseluKane Kahiko: E Kuku'ena E2nd Place

08/09/2023

16/07/2023

Dance along to The Hukilau Song 🤙🏽

For the song break, continue the kahalo akau hema facing forward. We will review the turns in class 😊

Remember these important facts when hula dancing:

Kahalo akau hema (step, together, step, tap; right/left)
Hela akau hema (point right foot, bring back, point left foot, bring back)
Ami (feet apart, circular motion of the hips)

Knees bent
Fingers closed together, thumbs in.
Straight arms

SMILE! 😁🤙🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

09/07/2023

Google Meet link:
https://meet.google.com/taj-yydr-xhm

15/06/2023

Hope to see you there! Message me for details! 🙌🏽

03/06/2023

Hope to find one! 🤩🤩

"Aunty Edith," as she was known, helped revive the Hawaiian language, hula and chant.

02/06/2023

Had a moment of downtime to practice my ipu. Work in progress, but improving on the sounds for different steps. Need to develop more fluidity between beats and be sure to kāhea to call out my next moves 😌

Want to follow along? Dance & listen to the sounds. First move is a Kaholo (step, together, step, tap) followed by a hela (feet together, one foot point, back together, second foot point) and last is the ami (circular motion of your hips).

Remember to bend those knees and SMILE!! 😁🌺

02/06/2023

Today I was a part of the End of Year Kindergarten Celebration for the second time! So grateful to dance with the kiddos and share the aloha spirit and my passion for hula dancing. Elementary is one of my favorite age groups because they love to dance and dress up. Mahalo to all the parents who helped make this beautiful day possible 💚

If you’d like HM to come to your child’s class or party for hula lessons, please contact me or pass on my information. Mahalo! 🤙🏽🌺

23/05/2023

Decided a backdrop is needed for HM videos 😍 stay tuned for moves you can do in the comfort of your own home 🤙🏽 🌺

25/04/2023

Updated my promo entertainment flyer! 🌺
Book HM for your next event 💚

25/01/2023

This looks so fun! I’ll have to try to be a vendor one of these days but I def want to check it out 🤩💚

Aloha our Orange County Ohana 😀 We will be having our next Aloha Fair HB on Sunday, February 5th. FREE admission & FREE parking. Come and enjoy the songs and dances of Polynesia 🌺 with amazing local vendors displaying their Arts 🖼 and Crafts 🛍 Live performances 🕺💃 Food trucks will be serving hot food and Hawaiian shaved ice. The event is appropriate for all ages so bring the whole family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Address 16160 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647

Open 10 am - 4 pm Closed.

Mahalo 😁🤙
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P.S. Everyone in the Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Westminster area please repost this so we can get the word out about the event.

BIG mahalo to everyone involved for bringing the aloha spirit to Huntington Beach 🙏
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(EDIT) UPDATE - For people asking about the
entertainment schedule....

10am-11am Audience of One Hula Ministry
(Hula Dance Group)
11am-12pm Uncle Roddy (Music/Band)
12pm-1pm Break
1pm-2pm Kimberly (Solo Hula Dancer)
2pm-3pm Tapu (Music/Keyboardist)..............................................................

29/11/2022

Aloha! 🌞 I’m super grateful to have been a part of Claire’s 8th birthday party earlier this month and bring the island vibes to celebrate 🥳🥳 this age group is one of my favorites because they want to dress up and dance! Great job to all the awesome keiki 😁👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

This is probably one of my favorite looks, with the vivid bright colors, really embracing Polynesian style, and able to move enough to dance both hula and Tahitian without a costume change! I also love being able to have my son around to experience the parties with me, I know he is proud of his mama ♥️

If you’re interested in bringing hula vibes to your next party or celebration, please contact me for rates! Mahalo & happy huladays! 🤙🏽🌺

07/06/2022

The morning of my college graduation ceremony I was asked to teach hula for kindergarteners! This is one of my favorite age groups to teach because they love to dance and dress up! There was about 140 students but put in groups of 10-14 kids. Going station to station, my station being dance with a hula dancer. I got to share my passion with them and hope they went home and shared it with their family. So grateful to celebrate my grad morning and their last week of school together. Mahalo to our family friend for the recommendation and to the teachers and parents at Portola Springs Elementary 🙏🏽🌺💜💜💜

07/06/2022

The morning of my college graduation ceremony I was asked to teach hula for kindergarteners! This is one of my favorite age groups to teach because they love to dance and dress up! There was about 140 students but put in groups of 10-14 kids. Going station to station, my station being dance with a hula dancer. I got to share my passion with them and hope they went home and shared it with their family. So grateful to celebrate my grad morning and their last week of school together. Mahalo to our family friend for the recommendation and to the teachers and parents at Portola Springs Elementary 🙏🏽🌺💜💜💜

02/09/2021

This past wknd was a great day for hula dancing on the beach & celebrating V’s 11th birthday! 🥳🌺

25/08/2020

🌞🌊Dancing in Newport Beach for a Rooftop celebration 🎊 I was offered to dance for the manager’s birthday and I couldn’t have been happier to bring the island vibes to her party! 🥳 Mahalo for booking Hula Mahalo 😌💜 Please tag and share! www.hulamahalo.wordpress.com 🙌🏽🌺
IG: .Mahalo

12/03/2020

Hello, I'm hula mommy, the creator of Hula Mahalo 🌺 I just want to dance, I love to teach the movements and share the beauty and fun found in hula. Creating dances feels good for my soul. I am new to the journey of having a business but it's a dream I've had for many years to open a class, one day a studio. My classes are open to all ages. It's especially good for beginners as I know hula dancing can be intimidating, but I offer a friendly, beginners pace enviornment with a satisfying experience. Come dance with me, every Wednesday evening right here in OC 💚 First class is free 😉 www.hulamahalo.wordpress.com

04/02/2020

Hula Mahalo is back for Spring Classes!! Our winter session was an amazing experience. We go at a beginners pace, open to all ages. I am so proud of my keiki class for our December showcase. Visit www.hulamahalo.wordpress.com for more info, Mahalo 🙂🌺

03/02/2020

🌺Aloha, the wait is over, Hula Mahalo Spring Classes start again on Wednesday! Hope you can make it, or please share with friends and family. Classes are perfect for beginners, children, and Mommy & Me time. One hour of both fun and exercise, getting to learn modern Hula and Tahitian dancing at a beginners pace. I appreciate the support, Mahalo 🌺

12/12/2019

🌺 Aribeth and Jayleen at our dress rehearsal for our upcoming showcase 🎉 My beautiful Pineapple Princesses 🍍👑 come show love to my class this Saturday the 14th at 3pm, I have two extra tickets, contact me for details 🙂 Mahalo! 🌺

04/12/2019

🌺 Hi all! Thank you so much for following and liking my page! If you or anyone you know is interested in joining Hula Mahalo - a hula class for beginners - we are performing in a dance showcase December 14th starting at 3pm in Santa Ana. Please come see a preview of my class and the dances my students have learned the past few months. This will end our Winter Session and we will be back for the Spring! Tickets are on sale now for $15 and at the door for $20. Let me know, I can buy in advance for you! Mahalo! 🌺

25/11/2019

.mahalo first class showcase in December! I promise we are going to look the cutest! My girls are excited to dance and I've been working my creativity and magic with my hot glue gun 😁💖