Instructors
Kumu Hula Pamahoa Akina
Kumu Hula Pamahoa Akina
Kumu Hula Pamahoa Akina
Originally from Waimānalo, O`ahu, Kumu Pam began hula at age 7. She danced for many years with the Kailua Dancers professional group under the direction of Kumu Lokālia Stearns as well as other Kumu in Hawaiʻi and California. She completed ʻuniki rites with Kumu Lokālia to graduate as Kumu Hula. Kumu Pam founded Hālau Hula Pono in 2010 and teaches all hula classes for children, teens, adults, and seniors at the hālau in Newcastle and also at Sun City Lincoln Hills.
Samantha Bustos
Kumu Hula Pamahoa Akina
Kumu Hula Pamahoa Akina
Our Tahitian dance instructor is Samantha Bustos. Samantha has been teaching `Ori Tahiti and Hula for over 15 years. She is currently an instructor with Hālau Ke Alo Mana O Ke 'Uhane Hemolele (Instagram @halaukamokuh) a ministry rooted dance troupe. For 10 years, Samantha was co-owner and co-director of Otahi Mārama, Mea Ho'okahi, a competitive performing arts company located now in Natomas, California. Their focus is to perpetuate Hawaiian and Tahitian culture through the arts of dance, music, costume making, and storytelling (https://www.otahimarama.org)
Brian Walima
Kumu Hula Pamahoa Akina
Brian Walima
Our Tahitian drumming instructor is Uncle Brian Walima. "Uncle B" has been drumming with top Tahitian Dance Troupes for 40+ years. He currently is a senior member of the drum corps for Makamae Melia O Polynesia of Elk Grove. Brian is highly skilled at developing drummers of all experience levels in a fun atmosphere!
Alan ʻAʻana
Brian Walima
Monthly Ukulele instruction and kanikapila is led by Uncle Alan ʻAʻana. Named "Kapalakiko Kanikapila" to honor Uncle Saichi Kawahara, the late founder and director of the Kapalakiko Hawaiian Band and 2018 honoree in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame who Uncle Alan studied with for 20 years.
Classes are held on the first Monday of each month. Other instruments and singers are welcome!
Lia DeLaRosa
Lia DeLaRosa
After many years as a dance instructor, Lia trained and earned her Pilates certification from Pilates Sports Center in 2017. She is also certified in barre and TRX. She teaches both mat and reformer Pilates and Barre classes locally. Come join her lunchtime mat Pilates class on Mondays at the hālau!