About Our Hālau
The word hālau is defined as a long house for canoe, the instruction of hula and a meeting house. The figurative meaning is “shade of trees.” Nāpua O Kalei Maoli Ola means the flowers of the living native garland. Therefore, Hālau Nāpua O Kalei Maoli Ola means a “place of learning for the flowers of the living native garland" My kaona of this meaning is that each and every student or haumana of Hālau Nāpua O Kalei Maoli Ola is a special flower with their own distinct color, scent and design, when fashioned with other flowers to make a lei, the beauty of this lei is stunning. It was a vision that I saw at a hoʻike at Half Moon Bay. The vision was an umbrella or a shade of trees that would reach out to share all the teachings that have been passed to me.
Hālau Nāpua O Kalei Maoli Ola is a hālau unlike many hālau hula today. This is a place of learning not just hula, but the traditions, values and practices taught to me by my kupuna and the nā kumu in my life. This place of learning is about discovering a culture whose practices are steeped in spirituality and a value known as aloha. Teachings include the practice of hula, mele, hoʻokipa, hoʻoponopono and much more.
Hālau Nāpua O Kalei Maoli Ola exists in different areas of the world and they are known as the paukū or districts of this hālau. These paukū are managed by the alakaʻi or leaders that I have personally chosen and are under my guidance and direction.
— Kumu Kamaolipua
Roles & Kuleana
The Kumu
The role of the Kumu is to be the source and foundation from which all practices are taught. She is a leader who will instruct in practices of hoʻoponopono, hoʻokipa, storytelling, dance movements, chanting, and costume and instrument making. Qualities of this Kumu include being a teacher, mentor, artist, manager, spiritual leader, and facilitator. As a leader she will share her knowledge with her students, while also guiding them in spiritual disciplines, personal ethics, and learning to live in the spirit of Aloha. She also arranges and coordinates performances, hoʻike, and ceremonies.
Haumāna, Hoʻopaʻa, ʻŌlapa & Alakaʻi
In this hālau there are the following: Haumāna - students, pupils, apprentices; Hoʻopaʻa - those proficient in the oli (chant) and playing of the instruments and ability to lead a performance; ʻŌlapa - dancers; and Alakaʻi - leader of the haumāna as directed by the Kumu. Alakaʻi can be ʻōlapa, hoʻopaʻa and haumāna at the same time. The role of the haumāna is to be supportive, honest, and courageous, to know one's kuleana, and to live in the spirit and principles of Aloha.
Alakaʻi
Each alakaʻi will be responsible for their own individual paukū, but still uphold and teach within the same framework and foundation. They are responsible to instruct the haumāna in the lessons, as instructed and given by the Kumu, of hula, oli, mele, history, and culture. Responsibilities for each paukū might be different. For example, one may not have hula and only offer oli, mele, and culture, or have some combination.
Other roles of the Alaka'i:
- Responsible to maintain harmony within the hālau.
- Responsible to mālama day-to-day dues and monies, including bookkeeping of hālau dues and monies
- Contribute with ideas and suggestions of the continued growth of the hālau and to the website, social media, and advertising in regards to hālau.
- Assist Kumu with workshops, performances, and hoʻike.