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.