Our Papa
We are brought together based on a common passion. Hui O Ka Uluwehi offers multiple classes based on the dancer's age group. We accept ages four and above.
E hele mai, come join us here at Hui O Ka Uluwehi!
KOLIʻI
Ages 4 - 7
Wednesdays
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
or
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Westside Community Center
Koliʻi flowers grow in bunches along the Koʻolau mountain range and it feeds off the beauty of one another. A single flower cannot grow on its own and it isnʻt as attractive as the whole cluster.
Just like the Koliʻi flower, the keiki of this papa (class) bring beauty to one another as they grow and dance together. While one flower on its own is “adorable”, it isnʻt as attractive as the whole cluster. The word Koliʻi means “to disappear gradually, as a ship on the horizon”. As the haumāna of this papa move forward on this huakaʻi (journey) their status as keiki will gradually disappear as they grow and thrive together. It is our mission to instill within them as much ʻike (knowledge) as possible while their hearts and minds are still moldable. Haumāna will learn the fundamental steps of Polynesian dance and gain a basic knowledge of the Hawaiian culture. This is our hua (seed) class, where we begin the growing process by planting a seed.
PĀMAKANI
Ages 8 - 12
Tuesdays
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Westside Community Center
Pāmakani flowers can be found on the ridges of the Waiʻanae mountains. These pale purple flowers grow in clusters smaller than that of the koliʻi and it brings beauty to the shrub that it sprouts from.
Like the Pāmakani, the ʻōpio (youth) of this papa (class) grow best in small clusters allowing them to build strong relationships with one another. Pāmakani means “wind-blown”. The haumāna of this class are delicate like this flower, easily blown by the wind, it is our mission to gently lead them in the right direction. Haumāna will learn the basic and intermediate levels of Polynesian dance as well as gain a general knowledge of the Hawaiian culture. This is our aʻa (small root) class where we speak life into the seed that was planted and we begin to see it take root.
KUPUKUPU
Ages 13-17
Thursdays
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Westside Community Center
Known to grow across the surface of the dirt and crawl up trees and tree ferns. Kupukupu can be found on all Hawaiian islands.
Encouraged by the kupukupu fern, the ʻōpio (youth) of this class will learn to stand tall but remain humble. Kupu means “to sprout”. In ancient times, hula hālau would use the kupukupu fern to decorate their wrist, ankle, and head with the hopes that knowledge would take root and sprout within the dancer. It is our mission to instill within these haumāna the deepest understanding of the Polynesian culture and hope that the ʻike (knowledge) that is shared with them becomes a part of who they are. Hauamāna will learn the advance levels of both Polynesian dance and the Hawaiian culture. This is our liko (bud) class where the plant has taken root and we begin to see the bud of understanding.
Like the ʻOhai Aliʻi, the haumāna of this papa (class) will learn to dance with prestige and honor. Together the mākua (adult) of this class will compliment the beauty of one another as they dance. They will be noted as the “Royals” of our hui. It is our mission to instill the love of Polynesian dance within the hearts of these haumana and allow that love to radiate through them as they dance. Haumāna will learn the highest levels of Polynesian dance as well as the deepest knowledge of the Hawaiian culture. This is our pua (class) where the seed, that became a small root, that became a sprouting plant, has reached itʻs full growth into a beautiful flower.