About Hui O Ka Uluwehi
Hanohano.Pono.Manawale'a.Aloha
The hua (seed) of Hui O Ka Uluwehi was planted in the summer of 2020 and came to fruition in 2021. Our mission is to provide a place in our community where families can gather as one to learn about the Polynesian culture through dance, education, workshops and community service projects. With the Hawaiian culture being the foundation of our hui, we hope to inspire families to radiate and live out the Hawaiian values of hanohano (honor), pono (integrity), manawale’a (generosity) and aloha (love).
Hui O Ka Uluwehi is a Polynesian dance studio that is based out of Ewa Beach on the island of O'ahu. Under the direction of ʻIolana Poepoe, our haumana acquire the knowledge and understanding of Polynesian culture and dance.
About Our Po'o
Born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, Pamela "ʻIolana" Poepoe began her Polynesian dance journey at the age of 8. She was first introduced to hula through her ohana, learning from her aunties and kūpuna. At the age of 12, she was a part of a Polynesian dance group where she learned all styles of Polynesian dance under the direction of Loso Iʻaulualo. It was with this group that she developed her passion for Polynesian dance. Since then, she has been dancing for various groups around the island and has been teaching Polynesian dance for many years. While she loves and appreciates everyone that has contributed to her journey thus far, it is Uncle Loso that she credits for her knowledge of everything Polynesian.
Currently, ʻIolana is a Hawaiian Studies teacher at an Elementary School in Ewa Beach where she has been teaching for the past 10+ years. Her love for the Hawaiian culture has inspired her to create Hui O Ka Uluwehi where she hopes to touch the lives of the families in our community with her genuine spirit of Aloha.
Meet our team
Aiyana Sabuco
Social Media Director
Lisa Andrade
Costume Designer
Kanoelehua Lee
Creative Director
Mahalo Nui Loa to Kamele Eskaran of
Pueo Projects for creating our logo and the mana'o behind it.
Our logo
Mana'o
The logo for Hui O Ka Uluwehi is designed
to show movement and grace, like dancing
hula, with wavy shapes and using thin
lines.
The three pua (flowers) in the center
represent Pamela’s three keiki. There are
four wavy lines radiating from the pua to
symbolize the four core values: hanohano,
pono, manawale‘a and aloha.
A honu (turtle) shell pattern is used to
represent protection and grace and the
pattern mimics that of an ulu. Placed on
the left of the graphic along with a rising
sun for new beginnings.
Similarly, manu (bird) symbols are used
on the opposite side of the logo as
symbols of protection and grace, but also
blessings and prosperity. The manu are
flying up and outward from the center as
messengers, carrying out the core values
and mo‘olelo (stories) through hula.
Koru (fern shoots) are used throughout to
indicate new beginnings and growth and
its sprial shape give a sense of movement.