Hula Preservation Society - Hawaii

Keau George

Welcome Rich Pedrina & Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua

We are thrilled to close our week at Capitol Modern with Kumu Rich Pedrina and haumāna (students) of Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua at 11:00am on the lawn!


Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina leads Hālau Hula ʻO Nāpunaheleonāpua, a school he established on July 7, 1993. 2024 marks 31 years since the hālau was founded! The hālauʻs goal is to perpetuate and share their hula lineage through mele and oli. 

Joining Kumu Rich is Alakaʻi Blaine Nohara who is training to one day be given the ʻūniki rights as Kumu Hula himself.

Nā Punahele o Nā Pua – means the many expressions of a favorite one. When they leave the stage or a performance, they hope to leave people with an everlasting impression, whether it be through the hula, costumes, adornments, or just expressions themselves.

The hālau operates in numerous locations. On Oʻahu – in Kāneʻohe and Papakōlea; On Hawaiʻi Island – in Hawaiian Paradise Park (Keaʻau); as well as other places across the U.S. Continent, Europe, Asia and Canada. All the teachers associated with Kumu Rich are expected to travel regularly to Hawaiʻi – the birthplace of hula – to train personally with Kumu, and he also “hits the road” throughout the year to be with his haumāna (students) in their many destinations around the world.

The hālau’s style and lineage honors three master teachers – nā Kumu Chinky Māhoe, Kimo Alama Keaulana, and George Holokai. Kumu Rich appreciates what he has learned from each of his kumu, but his primary influence and style remains with his original hula lineage of Chinky Māhoe and Kawailiʻulā.

Welcome Kumu Tatiana Fox & Nā Lei O Ka ʻIwa Haʻa I Ka Lani!

Come join us at 11:00am as we welcome “Kumu Tati” and her haumāna (students) from the ʻEwa side of Oʻahu to share their hula traditions at Capitol Modern for #festpachawaii2024. Mahalo Kumu for spending your birthday representing our Hawaiʻi and hula heritage so very well! Hauʻoli lā hānau e Kumu Tati!

Tatiana Tseu Fox’s upbringing in a hula family perfectly exemplifies the ʻōlelo noʻeau, “Ka ʻike a ka makua, he hei na ke keiki” (The knowledge of the parent is absorbed by the child). Her first and primary kumu was her mother, Kumu Hula ʻIwalani Tseu, and the many cultural principles associated with hula were ingrained in their daily family life. Reflecting on her rearing, Tatiana realizes how fortunate she and her sisters were to have had many cultural icons frequent their home, share their moʻolelo and ʻike with them, and embrace them as one of their own. As a young child, she had the privilege of learning from her mother’s own kumu, Uncle George Naope, as well as dear family friends Auntie Manu Palama and O’Brian Eselu. As a student at Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama, she learned from and was influenced by Wayne Keahi Chang, Randie Kamuela Fong, and Holoua Stender. After high school, she continued as a student of Holoua’s student, Kaleo Trinidad. In 2013, through familial rites, her mother entrusted her with the kuleana (responsibility) of continuing their family legacy as poʻe hula (hula practitioners) and kūlana (title) of Kumu Hula. In 2015, Tatiana opened Nā Lei O Ka ʻIwa Haʻa I Ka Lani on their family property – an old plantation compound – in Honouliuli, ʻEwa, Oʻahu. Kumu Tati, as she is affectionately called, is humbled by the teachings of all that have openly shared themselves with her and her ʻohana. As such, she has embraced both the kuleana and kūlana of Kumu Hula and aims to perpetuate and build upon the teachings of all those that she has learned from so that their legacies live on for many generations to come.

Hoku Zuttermeister, of Kāne’ohe, comes from a Hawaiian family dynasty that encompasses both the hula and music communities. His great-grandmother, Kau‘i Zuttermeister penned the beloved song, “Nā Pua Lei ‘Ilima,” and his great-aunt is Kumu Hula Noe Zuttermeister. In 2008, Hōkū’s album, “‘Āina Kūpuna”, won six Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards including Hawaiian Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Most Promising New Artist and Liner Notes. Hōkū’s voice is deep and resonating, yet when he switches to the crystal-clear highs of falsetto, to the delight of his listeners, he shows the enormous vocal range that he has worked so hard at perfecting.  Behind his amazing voice comes the versatility of his instrumentation. Hōkū credits his musical style to all those that have influenced him over the years. It is a style that he describes as being “Hawaiian, but with a more contemporary flair!”

Welcome Kumu Nawahine Kuraoka & Hālau Hula ʻO Nāwahine!

We’re thrilled to welcome Kumu Nawahine Haili Kuraoka at 11:00am to represent Hawaiʻi in the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture at Capitol Modern!

Marlene Nāwahine Haili Kuraoka started Hālau Hula ‘O Nāwahine in 1996. Her beloved Kumu Hula (master teacher) was Aunty Bella Richards, a legend in Kailua on the island of Oʻahu. Bella Richard’s mother, Rose Kuamoʻo, was a well-known Kumu in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, in the 1930s. Kumu Nāwahine teaches students from Hawaiʻi and around the world.  For many years, she has called Hale Pulelehua (HPS Studio) her hālau home in Kāneʻohe.

Welcome Kumu ʻĀina Asing & Kamehameha Middle – Papa Oli Me Hula for Kamehameha Day!

On this long-standing Hawaiian holiday honoring King Kamehameha, we are blessed to feature haumāna (students) from the Kamehameha Schools, an educational institution that was founded through the will of the great-granddaughter of the King, Bernice Pauahi Bishop.  Welcome to Papa Oli me Hula o Kamehameha Middle School Kapālama and their Kumu ʻĀina Asing!

Mahalo Kumu ʻĀina, nā haumāna o Kamehameha, and ʻUheʻuhene for representing Hawaiʻi and sharing our cultural heritage at Capitol Modern on Kamehameha Day at 11:00am for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture!

As their Kumu ʻĀina Asing shares, “Papa Oli me Hula o Kamehameha consists of 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus who are either current or alumni of Papa Oli me Hula, the Hawaiian Chant and Dance class of Kamehameha Middle School.

This class focuses on strengthening the students’ identity as Kānaka, through mele, hula, and moʻolelo. Many of these kids begin their hula journey in this class and have grown exponentially due to their hard work and dedication.

We would like to honor Hula Master Nona Beamer today, for without her efforts, we would not be here standing before you all today. Thanks to Tūtū Nona, we have been able to connect to our language and culture because of this class. Mahalo a nui loa!”

Kumu ʻĀina Asing was born into a family of Hawaiian musicians, Hula teachers, and dancers. At the age of 11, ʻĀina began learning how to sing and play Hawaiian music through learning the ʻukulele and the upright bass. His first mentors were his father Kaipo Asing, and brothers Adam and Puka Asing. Through the years, he has played with some of Hawaiʻi’s beloved musicians and learned many things by simply listening and watching them. At the age of 13, he began learning Hula from his brother Kumu Hula Puka Asing and later under Hula Master Kimo Alama Keaulana in 2009. He also completed his ʻūniki training in the hula ʻōlapa and hula pahu in 2012. ʻĀina is a full-time educator and has been teaching Hawaiian language, culture, history, and Hula for 11 years. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian language in 2013 and his Masters in Educational Leadership in 2021. He is a member of traditional Hawaiian music trio, ‘Uhe’uhene along with Lina Robins and Kapua Kalua.

ʻUheʻuhene (translated in English as “tra-la-la”) is a Hawaiian music group from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, consisting of cousins: Heather “Kapua” Kalua from Waimānalo, Jordan “ʻĀina” Asing from Kalāwahine & Papakōlea, and Lina Robins from Waiʻanae. Each member hails from a long lineage of Oli, Mele, and Hula. They are all freelance entertainers and can be found performing throughout the islands with other musical groups, but have created a wonderful chemistry together as ʻUheʻuhene for over 10 years now. Their old school meets new school cha-lang-a-lang style and blend of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian Music, local island reggae, oldies, and contemporary music just to name a few, will have you singing along and dancing in your seats. Their debut album is in the works hopefully to be released in the near future!

Hula Kiʻi Day at Capitol Modern

Join us starting at 11am for this historic gathering of kiʻi masters and practitioners! Repertoire from four distinct lineages based on four islands will be shared, including dances of old alongside new creations.

Hula Kiʻi is a rare form of dance that reflects the rich cultural heritage and artistic expression of kanaka maoli. The dancer utilizes an image or figurine, or becomes the image themselves. Hula Kiʻi is not widely known or practiced but has been preserved and perpetuated by select hula lines across the islands.

Four featured experts for Hula Kiʻi Day! include Auliʻi Mitchell, Kaponoʻai Molitau, Mauli Ola Cook, and Taupōuri Tangarō. Some of their students in the kiʻi are also Kumu and include Lilinoe Lindsey, Pueo Pata, Pono Alejo, and Maile Loo-Ching.

Schedule for the day (times are approximate)
11:00am – 11:05am  Welcome to FestPac at Capitol Modern; Opening Protocol
11:05am – 11:10am  Introduction of featured Kumu sharing Hula Kiʻi
11:10am – 12:25pm Hula Kiʻi presentations by nā Kumu and their haumana, appearing in the following order:

  • Kumu Kaponoʻai and Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻO Piʻilani
  • Kumu Auliʻi Mitchell and Hālau ʻO Kahiwahiwa, with nā Kumu Pueo Pata, Pono Alejo, and Lilinoe Lindsey & haumana
  • Kumu Taupōuri Tangarō
  • Kumu Mauli Ola Cook and haumana, with Kumu Maile Loo-Ching and haumana

12:25pm – 1:00pm  Samoa delegation performance (subject to change)
1:00pm – 1:15pm    Hula Kiʻi repertoire pieces 1-nā Kumu Mauli Ola Cook, Maile Loo-Ching and their students; 2-Kumu Kaponoʻai Molitau and Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻO Piʻilani
1:15pm – 2:00pm    Marshall Islands delegation performance (subject to change)
2:00pm – 2:15pm    Two Hula Kiʻi ʻAuana by nā Kumu Mauli Ola Cook, Maile Loo-Ching, and their students 
2:15pm – 3:00pm   Tokelau delegation performance (subject to change)
3:00pm                     PAU!

Please take time to also experience the Hula Kiʻi Exhibit curated by HPS inside the museum on the Ground Floor, June–December 2024

Parking Options
Aliʻi Place, 1099 Alakea St. (municipal rates; cash only); St. Andrews Cathedral parking, 224 Queen Emma Square (fee); ʻIolani Palace grounds (meters); King St. and Richards St. (meters); Chinatown Gateway; Hawaiʻi State Capitol

Other Helpful Info
-Food & drink will be available for purchase
-There will be chair seating on the lawn under tree shade & tents

This HPS event is presented in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and Capitol Modern, as part of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture, Hawaiʻi 2024