My 35+ years of
dancing is contributed to my mom and my
first Kumu Hula Ehulani Enoka Lum of "Ehulani's
Polynesian Dancers" (now known as "Kaulana
Na Pua O Hawai'i" in Hayward, CA, (whom
thru her I instantly fell in love with
hula). I continue dancing for Auntie Ehu
for many years thru high school. I also
had a year of teachings from Kumu Hula
Joseph Kamoahi Kahaulelio (Uncle Joe) of
"Kamo's of Hawai'i" in the late 70's.
Upon returning from College I return to
Auntie Ehu in the 80's, until her
passing in 1991. I remained with "Kaulana
Na Pua O Hawai'i" under Auntie Ehu’s
daughter Kumu Hula Deanie Villiados-Lum
until 1995. In 1996 I was introduced my
Keia Cordeiro to Leonard
Kaleonahenahaeonalani Beck (Uncle Kaleo),
a distant cousin of my Husband Ke’ala.
In 1999 I danced with Kumu Hula Linda
Pi'ilani Danek of "Hula Halau O Pi'ilani"
in Santa Clara. And today I'm also a
haumana of Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva of
"Halau Mohala 'Ilima", of Kailua,
Hawai'i.
Na Mamo O Ke Anuenue A Kamakani was
formed under the direction Uncle Kaleo
and myself (Uncle Kaleo and Uncle Keia
Cordeiro came to stay with us) in 1996.
Soon after the initiation of the school,
Uncle Kaleo passed away in Sept 1997.
With the help of my husband Ray Ke'ala
Santos (an accomplished dancer who
studied under Kumu Bea Hewlen and Mark
Keali' i Ho'omalu, as well as his
distant cousin Uncle Kaleo) and with
encouragement from Auntie Loke Thomas,
Uncle Keia, and Auntie Linda to continue
with what Kaleo was training me for.
Classes have continued and grown ever since.
My husband and I share our love for the
hula and culture we were taught of by our
Kumu Hula.
In the past 9 years Na
Mamo not only has grown in size, but
also maturing with me (their Kumu
Kamakani) as I continue my studies
{since 2004} under Kumu Hula Mapuana de
Silva. "This chapter in my life is just
as exciting (if not more) then when I
first started hula as a young girl."
