KAHĀ 2026: Full Schedule

2:00pm PDT

Session 1: Hula Kahiko "He Mele Hulu No Kapiʻolani" ("Aia i Waimānalo Ko Nuʻa Hulu") (2 hrs)

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 1 (Friday, 2:00pm-4:00pm)

"He Mele Hulu no Kapiʻolani"("Aia i Waimānalo") is from a set of three feather chants composed to commemorate Queen Kapiʻolani’s visit to Mauna Loke (Rose Mount), the residence and sugar plantation owned by John Adams Cummins at Waimānalo, (son of Englishman Thomas Cummins and Chiefess Kaumakaokane Papaliʻaiʻaina.) It is believed that these chants were composed in 1883, the year King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani had their coronation. Cummins was a good friend of King Kalākaua and was appointed his minister of foreign affairs. Kalākaua and his wife Kapiʻolani visited Mauna Loke many times. Queen Kapʻiolani spent her birthday, December 31st, 1885, at Mauna Loke. On this occasion, a number of people went to Mauna Loke aboard the steamer. Waimānalo and others took the overland route over the Nuʻuanu pali. Read story from Mary Kawena Pukuʻi’s: The Echo of Our Song (159-161)

Presenters

Pōhaikealoha Souza

Kumu Hula, Hālau Hula Kamamolikolehua

Kumu Hula Pōhaikealoha Souza has been dancing hula since she was 3 years old. Her hula
lineage traces back to influential hula masters like George Holokai (her first teacher), then her
aunt Maiki Aiu Lake, and then Mae Kamāmalu Klein under whose mentorship she graduated
with... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hula, Kahiko

2:00pm PDT

Sessions 1 & 2: Hula Kahiko "ʻAʻohe Ka Heluna No Waiʻanae" (4 hrs)

LIMITED

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 6:15pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Sessions 1 & 2 (Friday, 2:00pm-6:15pm)

Explore and experience the beauty and history of Waiʻanae through a standing hula ʻōlapa using the ʻulīʻulī, entitled “Waiʻanae.” This intermediate to advanced workshop is designed for dancers with a strong foundation in hula technique. Participants will learn one of six mele composed in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani by her courtier, Eleanor Kekoaohiwailani Wright Prendergast, commemorating the Queen’s train journey and highlighting wahi pana of the Waiʻanae district. Participants must bring their own ʻulīʻulī.

Presenters

Kalani "Boboy" Kaawa Flores-Hatt, Jr.

Kumu Hula, University of Hawaiʻi - Honolulu Community College, Hālau Nā Pua A Kapiʻolani

Paul Kalani “Boboy” Kaawa Flores-Hatt, Jr. is a proud kupa (native) of the ahupuaʻa of Nānākuli in the moku of Waiʻanae, Oʻahu. He serves as a College Professor of ʻIke Hawaiʻi and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Culture and Place-Based Campus Coordinator, Division Chair for Kūlana... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 6:15pm PDT

Hula, Kahiko

4:15pm PDT

Session 2: Hula ʻAuana "Kuilima Hula" (2 hrs)

FULL

Friday June 26, 2026 4:15pm - 6:15pm PDT

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Workshop Session 2 (Friday, 4:15pm-6:15pm)

“Kuilima Hula” is a cherished Hawaiian mele written by Emma Blanchard with music composed by Val Kepilino, celebrating the natural splendor and warm hospitality of Kuilima on the island of Oahu. The song poetically praises the beauty of the land with the line “He nani Kuilima,” portraying it as a beloved and welcoming home, “Kuʻu home hoʻokipa ka nui mālihini,” where countless visitors are embraced with aloha. Closely associated with the area now known as Turtle Bay Resort, formerly the Kuilima Resort, along Oahu’s scenic North Shore near Kahuku and Kawela Bay, the mele reflects themes of hospitality, unity, and joyful relaxation. Frequently performed in hula, it captures the spirit of “Kipa hoʻonanea me ke aloha,” expressing the idea of visiting and finding delight in love and companionship. The name “Kuilima,” meaning “to bind hands” or “holding hands,” beautifully symbolizes connection and togetherness, echoing the enduring sense of community and welcome embodied in the song.

Presenters

Leimomi Ho

Loea Hula, Keali’ika’apunihonua Ke’ena A’o Hula

Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho, born July 22, 1944, in Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi, has spent more than seven decades immersed in hula, guided by revered teachers and recognized as one of Hawaiʻi’s most respected kumu hula. She often shares, “If it’s in your heart and meant to be, hula will... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 4:15pm - 6:15pm PDT

Hula, ʻAuana

about <br>

11:15am PDT

Session 4: Hula Kahiko "Aia i Oʻahu Kou Lei Aliʻi" (2 hrs)

LIMITED

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:15am - 1:15pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 4 (11:15am-1:15pm)

Hula Kahiko

Presenters

Kahikilani Akana

Kumu Hula, Hālau Nā Lei O Kahikilani

Kumu Kahikilani Akana carries a deep-rooted legacy born in the traditional fishing village of Keʻei, Hawai’i. Raised within the lands of Kekūhaupiʻo, she was immersed from birth in the cultural practices of the land and sea. Her journey in hula began at age five under her mother’s... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:15am - 1:15pm PDT

Hula, ʻAuana

2:00pm PDT

Session 5: Hula ʻAuana "Kuʻu Home i Kuliʻouʻou" (2 hrs)

LIMITED

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 5 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

In the words of Kimo:
“In our Papa Mele Wahi Pana of Honolulu songs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa onTuesday, June 24, 2003, it was realized that we had no song for Kuliʻouʻou. I composed and translated this mele on June 27, 2003. This song is dedicated to Pohai Souza and the place where she makes her home, Kuliʻouʻou, Oʻahu. Although I have never been to her home, Pohai says that the description here is pretty much an accurate picture of her home!”

Presenters

Pōhaikealoha Souza

Kumu Hula, Hālau Hula Kamamolikolehua

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hula, ʻAuana

2:00pm PDT

Session 5: Hula ʻAuana "Neneʻu" (2 hrs)

LIMITED

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 5 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

"Neneʻu" is a traditional mele (song) composed by Abigail Pililaʻau, honoring a place named Neneʻu located in Waiʻanae, Oahu, noted for its coastal scenery and the nearby, majestic Mount Kaʻala.

Presenters

Leimomi Ho

Loea Hula, Keali’ika’apunihonua Ke’ena A’o Hula

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hula, ʻAuana

4:15pm PDT

Session 6: Hula ʻAuana "He Aloha No ʻO Waiʻanae" (2 hrs)

LIMITED

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:15pm - 6:15pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 6 (4:15pm-6:15pm)

This workshop features He Aloha No ʻO Waiʻanae, a mele hula ʻauana honoring the moku of Waiʻanae on the island of Oʻahu. Participants will learn the choreography while exploring the poetry, imagery, and place names woven throughout the song.
Instruction will include both movement and meaning, introducing the winds, rains, and landscapes of Waiʻanae and how the relationship between people and ʻāina is expressed through hula. Emphasis will be placed on musical phrasing, expression, and understanding the manaʻo behind each gesture.
No prior hula experience is required. All levels are welcome; comfortable clothing suitable for gentle movement is recommended.

Presenters

Rolanda Mohala Reese

Kumu Hula, Hālau Hula Nā Meakanu O Laka O Hawaiʻi

Kumu Hula Rolanda established Hālau Hula Nā Meakanu o Laka o Hawaiʻi, a traditional hula school, in 1985. Originally founded in Hawaiʻi, the hālau is now based in Los Alamitos, California. In 1997, Kumu also founded Ke Poʻokela Cultural Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organi... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:15pm - 6:15pm PDT

Hula, ʻAuana

4:15pm PDT

Session 6: Hula ʻAuana "He Lei Wehi" (2 hrs)

LIMITED

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:15pm - 6:15pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 6 (4:15pm-6:15pm)

Hula ʻAuana

Composer: Kumu Hula Momi Akana
Recorded by Mailani

Presenters

Kahikilani Akana

Kumu Hula, Hālau Nā Lei O Kahikilani

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:15pm - 6:15pm PDT

Hula, ʻAuana

about <br>

9:00am PDT

Session 7: Hula Kahiko "Kākuhihewa" (2 hrs)

LIMITED

Sunday June 28, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Workshop Session 7 (Sunday, 9:00am-11:00am)

Kākuhihewa was born at Kūkaniloko, in the sleeping-place consecrated by the kapu of Liloe. He was the son of Kaihikapu-a-Manuia, 14th Alii Aimoku of O‘ahu, and of his wife Kaunui-a-Kanehoalani, the daughter of Kanehoalani, who was the grandson of Lo-Lale. Kaunui's mother was Kualoakalailai, whose parentage is lost to the ages, but was of the Kalehenui branch of the Maweke line. From thence, he was taken to Ho‘olonopahu by his maternal grandfather, Kanehoalani. Forty-eight chiefs of the highest rank, conspicuous among whom were Makokau, Ihukolo, Ka‘aumakua, Pakapakauana, were present at the ceremony of cutting the navel-string of the newborn chief. The two sacred drums, named "Opuku" and "Hawea," announced the august event to the multitude. Several kahu (attendants) were duly appointed to watch over and bring up the heir-apparent, whose childhood was principally passed between Waipio, Waiawa, and Manana in the Ewa district.

Presenters

Rolanda Mohala Reese

Kumu Hula, Hālau Hula Nā Meakanu O Laka O Hawaiʻi

Sunday June 28, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT

Hula, Kahiko

KAHĀ 2026

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KAHĀ 2026

2:00pm PDT

Pōhaikealoha Souza

2:00pm PDT

Kalani "Boboy" Kaawa Flores-Hatt, Jr.

4:15pm PDT

Leimomi Ho

11:15am PDT

Kahikilani Akana

2:00pm PDT

Pōhaikealoha Souza

2:00pm PDT

Leimomi Ho

4:15pm PDT

Rolanda Mohala Reese

4:15pm PDT

Kahikilani Akana

9:00am PDT

Rolanda Mohala Reese

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