ABOUT OUR KUMU…
HULA LINEAGE
Kāhealani Kamahele embarked on her hula journey at the age of nine. As a child, she learned hula in Kapahulu under the direction of Aunty Pauline Kekahuna and Leilani Mendez. While Kāhealani had a passion for hula, other interests drew her away.
In 1985, Kāhealani moved to California and studied hula with her aunty Rolanda Mohala Reese, Kumu Hula of Hālau Hula Nāmeakanu O Laka O Hawai’i. Three years later, Kāhealani taught hula at Hālau Kaulana Ka Hale Kula O Na Pua O Ka ʻĀina for twelve years.
In the year 2000, Kāhealani’s’ grandmother gave her the blessing to teach hula and gave her the name of her Hālau. With her grandmother's blessing, Kāhealani formed her hula school, Hālau Hula O Kāhealani, and in 2007, began teaching in Rolling Hills, California. In 2014, she relocated to Torrance where she currently teaches a variety of classes for both children and adults.
For the past year, Kāhealani has continued her hula studies as a member of Pāʻū O Hi'iaka, under the direction of Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt. Her training includes attending weekly hula classes and private lessons on Maui island.
HULA FAMILY
Kāhealani, whose grandmother is Ann McCabe from Kaneohe, has a rich family heritage deeply rooted in hula. Ann McCabe herself was a Kumu Hula who had her own hālau in California before returning to her homeland on O'ahu. From a young age, Kāhealani received encouragement from her grandmother to embrace dance and immerse herself in the art of hula.
The lineage of Kāhealani's family is intertwined with hula practitioners and kumu hula. She is part of the McCabe, Padaken, Wong, and Rowan families, including Ann's two sisters, Pauline Padaken and Mary Wong, and Ann’s niece, Aloha Dalire. Notably, Aloha's three daughters have all held the title of Miss Aloha Hula and have become Kumu in their own respective hālau (Kapua Dalire-Moe, Kau'i, and Keola). Additionally, Ann McCabe's nephew, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, is a distinguished hula master.
Within Kāhealani's Kamahele ohana, the artistic and musical talents shine brightly. Sonny Kamahele Sr, Iwalani Kamahele, King Kamahele, Francis Kamahele, and Hōkū Zuttermeister are renowned entertainers and musicians. Adding to the family's hula legacy, her cousin Ka'ula Kamahele, who earned the title of Miss Aloha Hula in 1981, is a graceful hula dancer.
Hula is not just an art form for Kumu Kāhealani and her family; it's a part of their very essence and cultural heritage, flowing through their veins. Given this profound connection, Kāhealani embraces her kuleana, the responsibility and privilege, to perpetuate her culture by sharing the beauty of hula with those who are eager to learn and experience its richness.
