Hula Preservation Society (HPS) moved our office to our current location on Alaloa Street in late 2008. The arrangements came with a warehouse space downstairs which we felt might have potential as a hula studio. Given its current state, though, it felt like a pipedream. But, Auntie Nona was a dreamer and space is a premium, so we decided to go for it in hopes we could provide an affordable option for windward-based groups.
Within six months, and with many helpful hands, the space was literally transformed from a dingy, dirty warehouse space with an awful floor and funky walls, to an inviting, inspiring, and beautiful hale open for business!
The icing on the cake was adopting the name Hale Pulelehua (House of the Butterfly) in honor of the original Pulelehua—HPS Founder Auntie Nona Beamer’s sweet home in Puna, Hawaiʻi. By this time she had passed away and her Pulelehua was no more, so we rebirthed it in Kāneʻohe. Some of Auntie’s very own butterflies adorn the studio!
We held a community Grand Opening in March 2009 with HPS kūpuna, supporters, and friends, and Auntie Nona’s grandson, Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer did the official blessing.
Just as with the original Pulelehua, our hope is that those who spend time within its walls will be transformed like the butterfly and motivated to give to the community in their own ways, just as we were inspired to carry on the legacy of love that Auntie Nona was known for.
E komo mai! E hula kākou! Come inside! Letʻs dance!
Rental Inquiries
Located at the Windward Business Center, Hale Pulelehua is a community center & rental studio operated by Hula Preservation Society and dedicated in honor of the late Aunty Nona Beamer. We have over 450 square feet of vinyl flooring, 24 feet of mirrors, sound system, private bathroom with shower, adjustable shelving for personal belongings, community white board and cork board and free parking. We offer a safe and clean environment for instructors of all backgrounds to present their classes, for teams to rent to record instructional videos, or for folks needing a space for private rehearsals or lessons. Studio rental fees support the ongoing maintenance of Hale Pulelehua, as well as the work of Hula Preservation Society.
Rental includes use of:
- Two rollable shelving units for belongings
- Sound system with mobile device/MP3 hookup
- 40” Flat Screen LCD TV with laptop hookup
- White board & bulletin board for instruction and notices
- Bathroom & shower (cold water only)
- Five Folding chairs
- Floor carpets (if needed)
- Four large mounted fans
- 120 feet of colorful inter-locking padded squares
- 40-ft extension cord
- First Aid Kit
- Various brooms
- One HPS assigned parking space for instructor
Fees
| One-time or periodic rental | $30 per hour |
| Two hours/week | $25 per hour |
| Three or more hours/week | $20 per hour |
Contact Us
For questions or to schedule a walk-through, call (808) 247-9440 or email us.
Location
Parking
Parking inside the Windward Business Center is limited to 3 customer parking assigned stalls near the front of the lot. DO NOT park in any other stalls. If the customer parking stalls are taken, please find parking on Alaloa Street. Do not park at the Koʻolau Clubhouse. Parking at Windward Mall is at your own risk.
Hula Preservation Society will not be held liable for citations, towing and/or stolen/damaged property. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Mahalo!
Mahalo Pulelehua Team!
The people who generously dedicated their time and resources to the creation of Hale Pulelehua include:
- Kumu Kent Ghirard (1918-2011), leader of the renowend 1950s Hula Nani troupe (monetary donation for the purchase of laminate flooring)
- HPS Intern Trang Ngo (wall painting)
- Wahine and Keiki families of Hālau Hula ʻo Kahoʻoilina Aloha (deep cleaning of original warehouse, mirrored wall install, painting, lighting, fan install, and overall decor)
- Kapuanani & Charlie Fakler (track lighting)
- Kimo Kimura (bathroom, shower, & storage remodeling)
- Chuck Volhein (painting, bathroom & shower remodeling, fabric wall installations)
- Mikel Gilliland and Sara Morton Buczkowski (painting, flooring install, wall renovations, mirror extension)
- Clark Fremgen (sewing of large warehouse wall coverings)
- Kēhaulani Volhein (renovation coordination, supply/logistics, & Grand Opening planning)
- Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer (blessing at Grand Opening)