Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie a me Hālau Kahulaliwai was established on September 11, 1999 in Sacramento, California. Under the direction of Kumu Hula Juni Kalāhikiola Lovel, students span in age from keiki (children) to our kūpuna (elders). Born and raised on the island of Kaua’i, Kumu Kalāhikiola began dancing at the tender age of 8 years old. She attributes her deep love of hula and lessons in spirituality to her Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia. She continues her Kumu’s legacy and honors her hula lineage through the hālau’s teachings and traditions.
The name of the women’s hālau “Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie” translates to “the peaceful, heavenly, flowing water” while the men’s hālau translates as “the water’s reflection”. Just as water is essential to life, each student contributes to the life and legacy of the hālau. Students are expected to give back to the community, to share the Hawaiian culture, live Hawaiian values and traditions and to absorb the knowledge that is being passed down to them by Kumu Kalāhikiola.
Deeply rooted in the traditions, protocols and history the hālau teaches the rich culture of Hawai’i. The hālau mission is all properties of knowledge, wisdom and cultural aspects belonging to the dance as passed down and rooted from generation to generation, shall be maintained by the hālau principals for the benefit of all who are part of the dance. The hālau’s vision is to enhance and to sustain strong cultural and spiritual values by better educating the hula practitioner to care, support and respect the dance; so that each practitioner, as they aspire to their full potential, can spiritually and humbly make a contributing impact (through example) to the community and all walks of life.
The hālau fulfills its mission and vision, by participating in various events throughout the community – Holiday Toy Drive, Kūpuna Day Performances at Senior Living Facilities, Big Time Auburn Pow Wow, Aloha Festivals in Reno, Sacramento, Bay Area and many more. The hālau also hosts annual hō’ike and Holiday Hula performances, which provide an opportunity to showcase what students have learned and practiced.
As part of cultural education and along with the Loa`a Foundation, the hālau has hosted “E Pili Kākou” in Sacramento. A weekend filled of cultural sharing, community building and expanding cultural knowledge is a desire fulfilled of the legendary late Kumu Hula Darrell ‘Ihi’ihilauākea Lupenui (Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia’s Kumu Hula). Students have also had an opportunity to travel to O’ahu and Kaua’i allowing them to connect to the hālau’s and Kumu Kalāhikiola’s roots. Each trip included visits to museums, historical sites and famous places that are found in the dances and chants that students perform.
The hālau vision of unity and hula preservation has spanned the vast Pacific waters. As the future comes to pass, Kumu Kalāhikiola will welcome new traditions and the evolution of the hula art form. Just as the water's reflection blends the grace and beauty of heaven and earth, so too will the creations and contributions of our hālau, blend the world of hula and Hawaiiana, both past and present.
