About Our Founder and the Inception of Our Organization
Hālau Kalikopuakalehua was founded by Kumu Hula Nālani Kaho'onei for the perpetuation of Polynesian cultural arts.
ORIGIN
Nālani Kaho’onei was born and raised in Hawai'i, on the island of O'ahu, in the country town of Waimānalo. She is of native Hawaiian ancestry, kanaka maoli; both her mother and father are Hawaiian. Through her 'ohana's tireless efforts to research priceless genealogy, she's found that she is a direct descendant of ali'i, Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kauʻi Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea, also known as King Kamehameha the Great. Nālani’s lines trace through three separate wives of the King. She is also a direct descendant of Chief Līloa and ‘Umi a Līloa. Hawaiians believe that genealogy is very important to the people. It’s important to know your koko and your kū’auhau; who you are and who came before you. Nālani is proud to also have Māori, Tahitian, Sāmoan and Tongan ancestry.
HULA TRAINING
In 1992, Nālani began her hula training as a young child. She then joined an official hālau in Kailua, HI, called Nā Hula O Puamana, under the direction of Kumu Hula Alice Puluelo Naipo Park. Her Kumu Hula was Lokālia Montgomery. Nālani was given permission by Aunty Pulu to teach in Hawai’i (not as Kumu Hula yet) when she was just 14 years old. Following Aunty Pulu’s passing, Nālani continued her hula training under Kumu Hula Robert Lono ‘Ikuwā. Kumu Lono comes from the hula lineage of his mother, Kumu Hula ‘Ulalia Berman. Aunty ‘Ulalia came from Kumu Hula Ma’iki Aiu Lake, who also comes from Kumu Hula Lokālia Montgomery. Nālani has been teaching Polynesian dance for over 26 years, with over 17 years being in Arizona. She has been a hula practitioner for well over three consecutive decades. Nālani completed her hula training with a formal ‘ūniki (graduation ceremony) in Kona, Hawai’i. Following proper protocol, she has earned the highly respected title of Kumu Hula, Hula Master. Nālani is currently a member of the Huamakahikina coalition for verified Kumu Hula: https://www.huamakahikina.org/
EARLY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Nālani became a professional hula dancer when she began dancing in a night show at Celebrity Resorts in Waikīkī on the island of O'ahu in 1997. She continued weekly shows through 2006 until she made the move to Arizona. She had also signed with Tīhati Productions.
WORKSHOP TRAINING
Nālani has had the privilege of taking Hula workshops with nā Kumu Hula: Keali'i Reichel, Robert Cazimero, Mapuana DeSilva, Vicky Holt Takamine, Keawe Lopes (Oli workshop), Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, Nālani Kanaka'ole, Kau’i Dalire, Patrick Makuakāne, Sonny Ching & Jeffrey Takamine. She has also taken ‘ori Tahiti workshops from ra’atira such as Tiana Liufau, Matatini Mou, Tehani Robinson, Leolani Gallardo & Rina Brenner.
HĀLAU HO’OKAHI I KA HULA
Nālani is currently teaching Polynesian music and dance to all levels of dancers, from age 5+, from beginner to advanced, for nā keiki and mākua. The name of her school is Hālau Ho'okahi I Ka Hula. When translated from Hawaiian to English, it can mean "Together To Dance”. She enjoys uniting people and cultures to become one as they dance. For more information on joining classes, please visit www.hulainarizona.com to learn more about our student group, Halau Ho'okahi I Ka Hula.
NĀ LEO KŪPONO PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Nā Leo Kūpono Productions, LLC had begun its professional performance business in Arizona in 2012. They recently (December 2024) closed their doors to make room for Hālau Kalikopuakalehua.
HĀLAU HULA ‘O KALIKOPUAKALEHUA
Hālau Hula ‘O Kalikopuakalehua is the hālau that is a step above Nā Leo Kūpono Productions and Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula. The haumāna are not just dancers, but rather, cultural practitioners with high levels of dedication, humility, passion and the spirit of Aloha. With her ‘ohana’s permission and blessing, Nālani named this group after her grandmother.
AWARDS - SOLO AND GROUP
2024 Southwest Folklife Alliance Master-Apprentice Award
https://southwestfolklife.org/nalani-kahoonei-hula-kumu/
Nālani has won numerous awards in international dance competitions. Her dancers have also competed and placed in the top 3, both as a group and as soloists representing the group. She enjoys sharing the cultures on a competitive level.
🥇 1st Place - 2024 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Hura Tau Group ‘Ōte’a
🥇 1st Place - 2024 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Taure’a Tamaroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 13-15
🥈 2nd Place - 2024 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Vāhine ‘Ōte’a 36-49
🥉 3rd Place - 2024 Te ‘Ori Ora Competition - Advanced Vāhine ‘Aparima Solo 36+
🥇 1st Place - 2023 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Taure’a ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-12
🥇 1st Place - 2023 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 13-17
🥈 2nd Place - 2023 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Group ‘Ōte’a
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Group ‘Aparima
🏆 Cinematic Choice Award - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Group ‘Aparima
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-12
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Taure’a ‘Ōte’a Solo 13-17
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Tāne ‘Ōte’a Solo 19-24
🥇 1st Place - 2021 ‘Ori ‘Ori Tātou E Competition - Vāhine ‘Ōte’a Solo 30-39
🥇 1st Place - 2021 ‘Ori ‘Ori Tātou E Competition - Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-10
🥇 1st Place - 2021 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-12
🥉 3rd Place - 2021 Hura Tahiti Competition - Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 10-13
MISSION
Our mission is to perpetuate the native Polynesian cultures through their arts, music, dance, language, beliefs and practices.
Hālau Kalikopuakalehua
A 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
A 509a2 Public Charity
#99-3981741
DBA Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula
Hālau Kalikopuakalehua was founded by Kumu Hula Nālani Kaho'onei for the perpetuation of Polynesian cultural arts.
ORIGIN
Nālani Kaho’onei was born and raised in Hawai'i, on the island of O'ahu, in the country town of Waimānalo. She is of native Hawaiian ancestry, kanaka maoli; both her mother and father are Hawaiian. Through her 'ohana's tireless efforts to research priceless genealogy, she's found that she is a direct descendant of ali'i, Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kauʻi Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea, also known as King Kamehameha the Great. Nālani’s lines trace through three separate wives of the King. She is also a direct descendant of Chief Līloa and ‘Umi a Līloa. Hawaiians believe that genealogy is very important to the people. It’s important to know your koko and your kū’auhau; who you are and who came before you. Nālani is proud to also have Māori, Tahitian, Sāmoan and Tongan ancestry.
HULA TRAINING
In 1992, Nālani began her hula training as a young child. She then joined an official hālau in Kailua, HI, called Nā Hula O Puamana, under the direction of Kumu Hula Alice Puluelo Naipo Park. Her Kumu Hula was Lokālia Montgomery. Nālani was given permission by Aunty Pulu to teach in Hawai’i (not as Kumu Hula yet) when she was just 14 years old. Following Aunty Pulu’s passing, Nālani continued her hula training under Kumu Hula Robert Lono ‘Ikuwā. Kumu Lono comes from the hula lineage of his mother, Kumu Hula ‘Ulalia Berman. Aunty ‘Ulalia came from Kumu Hula Ma’iki Aiu Lake, who also comes from Kumu Hula Lokālia Montgomery. Nālani has been teaching Polynesian dance for over 26 years, with over 17 years being in Arizona. She has been a hula practitioner for well over three consecutive decades. Nālani completed her hula training with a formal ‘ūniki (graduation ceremony) in Kona, Hawai’i. Following proper protocol, she has earned the highly respected title of Kumu Hula, Hula Master. Nālani is currently a member of the Huamakahikina coalition for verified Kumu Hula: https://www.huamakahikina.org/
EARLY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Nālani became a professional hula dancer when she began dancing in a night show at Celebrity Resorts in Waikīkī on the island of O'ahu in 1997. She continued weekly shows through 2006 until she made the move to Arizona. She had also signed with Tīhati Productions.
WORKSHOP TRAINING
Nālani has had the privilege of taking Hula workshops with nā Kumu Hula: Keali'i Reichel, Robert Cazimero, Mapuana DeSilva, Vicky Holt Takamine, Keawe Lopes (Oli workshop), Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, Nālani Kanaka'ole, Kau’i Dalire, Patrick Makuakāne, Sonny Ching & Jeffrey Takamine. She has also taken ‘ori Tahiti workshops from ra’atira such as Tiana Liufau, Matatini Mou, Tehani Robinson, Leolani Gallardo & Rina Brenner.
HĀLAU HO’OKAHI I KA HULA
Nālani is currently teaching Polynesian music and dance to all levels of dancers, from age 5+, from beginner to advanced, for nā keiki and mākua. The name of her school is Hālau Ho'okahi I Ka Hula. When translated from Hawaiian to English, it can mean "Together To Dance”. She enjoys uniting people and cultures to become one as they dance. For more information on joining classes, please visit www.hulainarizona.com to learn more about our student group, Halau Ho'okahi I Ka Hula.
NĀ LEO KŪPONO PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Nā Leo Kūpono Productions, LLC had begun its professional performance business in Arizona in 2012. They recently (December 2024) closed their doors to make room for Hālau Kalikopuakalehua.
HĀLAU HULA ‘O KALIKOPUAKALEHUA
Hālau Hula ‘O Kalikopuakalehua is the hālau that is a step above Nā Leo Kūpono Productions and Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula. The haumāna are not just dancers, but rather, cultural practitioners with high levels of dedication, humility, passion and the spirit of Aloha. With her ‘ohana’s permission and blessing, Nālani named this group after her grandmother.
AWARDS - SOLO AND GROUP
2024 Southwest Folklife Alliance Master-Apprentice Award
https://southwestfolklife.org/nalani-kahoonei-hula-kumu/
Nālani has won numerous awards in international dance competitions. Her dancers have also competed and placed in the top 3, both as a group and as soloists representing the group. She enjoys sharing the cultures on a competitive level.
🥇 1st Place - 2024 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Hura Tau Group ‘Ōte’a
🥇 1st Place - 2024 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Taure’a Tamaroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 13-15
🥈 2nd Place - 2024 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Vāhine ‘Ōte’a 36-49
🥉 3rd Place - 2024 Te ‘Ori Ora Competition - Advanced Vāhine ‘Aparima Solo 36+
🥇 1st Place - 2023 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Taure’a ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-12
🥇 1st Place - 2023 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 13-17
🥈 2nd Place - 2023 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Group ‘Ōte’a
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Group ‘Aparima
🏆 Cinematic Choice Award - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Group ‘Aparima
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-12
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Advanced Taure’a ‘Ōte’a Solo 13-17
🥇 1st Place - 2022 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Tāne ‘Ōte’a Solo 19-24
🥇 1st Place - 2021 ‘Ori ‘Ori Tātou E Competition - Vāhine ‘Ōte’a Solo 30-39
🥇 1st Place - 2021 ‘Ori ‘Ori Tātou E Competition - Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-10
🥇 1st Place - 2021 Heiva I San Francisco Competition - Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 6-12
🥉 3rd Place - 2021 Hura Tahiti Competition - Tamāroa ‘Ōte’a Solo 10-13
MISSION
Our mission is to perpetuate the native Polynesian cultures through their arts, music, dance, language, beliefs and practices.
Hālau Kalikopuakalehua
A 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
A 509a2 Public Charity
#99-3981741
DBA Hālau Ho’okahi I Ka Hula
