Halau Hula Na Wahine Nani o Lahaina
&
Halau Hula Na Kamali'i Nani o Lahaina
Aloha!
E Komo Mai ( Welcome ) to our halau.. In 1990, under the direction of Jan
"Kealani" Kitaguchi, Halau Hula Na Kamali'i Nani o Lahaina (The beautiful
children of Lahaina) was created, followed by Halau Hula Na Wahine Nani o Lahaina (The beautiful women of Lahaina). Presently, both halaus continue under Kumu's direction to perpetuate the art of hula in Lahaina, Maui, sharing their talents at various locations in Maui.
Hula has been called "Hawai'i's gift to the world" ~ And through hula, Kumu Kealani has been sharing her love of hula with others for many years. It is not meant to be kept for oneself but to be passed down with the rich traditions of story telling, mana'o (wisdom), and the sharing of aloha from generation to generation. When the halau performs, they present a gift of hula to others. Within the teachings & the sharing of the hula, it builds knowledge, self-confidence, discipline, experience & a bond of ohana (family) & aloha, within our halau members.
This beautiful and ancient dance in Hawaii demonstrates skill, commitment, love, and teamwork based on many years of tradition. It inspires many people from all over the world and all different races & backgrounds to learn its rich traditional ways. Although it is very unique to Hawaiian culture, hula has expanded to many other countries around the world and its popularity has flourished. This does not mean that the essence of hula within the islands is lost or the commitment is gone. Hula continues to thrive abundantly throughout Hawai'i . Our haumana (students) work very hard individually as well as together to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
Hula is a lifestyle. A origin in spirituality and protocols that exist today within the dancer themselves. As a member of a hula halau (hula school), you, as a student become one with the dance, taking each learning experience to heart! It should be valued and considered within its importance of learning & its perpetuation of tradition. It may take years of dedication to become skilled with grace & efforts as a hula dancer. Sharing the aloha is a great part of hula & the dancing experience only builds the dancer with these gifts. These gifts are gained & strongly built with others in a halau (school of learning) and becomes their ohana (family).
For more information please refer to Papa Hula
Accomplishments
Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lahaina, Hawaii Monthly ongoing hula show perfomances ~
1st Saturday, 2nd Sunday, 5th Saturday & Sunday
Lahaina Holiday Lighting of the Banyan Tree, Lahaina, HI
La Ku'oko'a, Hawaiian Independence Day, Lahaina, HI
Lahaina Cannery Mall, Annual Keiki Hula Festival, Lahaina, HI
Lahaina Arts Society Birthday Celebration, Lahaina, HI
If interested in Enrolling in our Halau it is recommended that you observe first and call ahead 808-661-5498. You may also contact us via email on our "Contact Page"
KUMU KEALANI KITAGUCHI
ABOUT the Halau
Kumu Jan Kealani Kitaguchi was born and raised in historic Lahaina town on the island of Maui, Hawaii. She has been dancing the hula since a child and teaching hula for 20 years to many hula families, generations, and visitors. In the past, Kealani has been privileged to learn the hula from other great Kumus as Aunty Emma Farden Sharpe, Kumu Cliff Paliku Ahue, and was truly inspired by Uncle Jimmie Greig (Co-Founder of Lahainaluna high school's Hawaiiana Club & Boarders Chorus), who touched her heart with many years with his inspirational words of, "Never say die, Never give up".
Currently there are two groups she teaches in Lahaina, Halau Hula Na Wahine Nani o Lahaina (the beautiful women of Lahaina) and Halau Na Kamali'i Nani o Lahaina (the beautiful children of Lahaina). Many haumana (student) start out learning in halau for years and as they grow older, they carry on the tradition with their children with the hula as well. This is very common in Hawai'i. Carrying on the tradition is very important for Kumu Kealani, as this value she importantly teaches within halau. She is known to many in the community for her outreach to others, her aloha for the hula, and the desire to carry on the Hawaiian culture for many years to come.
