Instructors

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 Hawai`i and California.  She completed `uniki rites with Kumu Lokālia to graduate as Kumu Hula.  Kumu Pam founded Hālau Hula Pono in 2010 and continues to teach all levels of hula classes for children, teens, adults, and seniors at the hālau in Newcastle and also weekly hula classes for residents of Sun City Lincoln Hills. 

Our Tahitian dance instructor is Samantha Bustos.  Samantha has been teaching `Ori Tahiti and Hula for over 10 years. Samantha, her sister Julia, Co-Director Olivia, and Co-Owner Gina, form the leadership of Otahi Mārama, Mea Ho'okahi, a competitive performing arts company located in Elk Grove, California. Their focus is to perpetuate the Hawaiian and Tahitian culture through the arts of dance, music, costume making, and story telling. 

https://www.otahimarama.org/ 

Our Tahitian drumming instructors are father/son duo Brian and Christian Walima.  Together they have 50+ combined years of experience drumming for top Tahitian Dance Troupes.  They are highly skilled at developing drummers of all experience levels in a fun atmosphere!

Monthly Ukulele instruction and kanikapila is led by Uncle Alan `A`ana.  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!