Kūhai Hālau O Ke`alaanuheaokalaua`e Aka Ohana Dance Group is a non-profit, multi-generational hula halau where students of various ages, backgrounds, and abilities are exposed to the Hawaiian culture and music through traditional hula. Because ohana means "family", our goal is to maintain a family-oriented atmosphere where students can enjoy learning about the Hawaiian culture.
We maintain a caring and compassionate approach in all that we do. We explore the depths of hula by learning the mele (poetry) of our songs, because hula tells a story through its motions. By learning the mele, we are able to dance the songs with our inner spirit, with deeper feelings of aloha (love).
Students learn about the Hawaiian culture, music, language and dance. Gradually they learn to use some of the implements that the Hawaiians used to portray some of their songs. Students are taught the proper Hawaiian names for the hula steps, which are introduced as they learn their dances, and may also be exposed to dances of other cultural groups.
Tahitian classes are led through a deep understanding of the dance and appropriate technique. The dancers learn about the story being told and the meaning of each movement. In each class they are taught the basic techniques with an emphasis on correct motions and movements. The leader provides each student with the opportunity to move at their own pace but still gain the purpose of the dance.
Ukulele classes are provided at Ohana Dance Group's location. The teacher is a musician that performs with a local group, named Ho'okipa. Any Ene, known as Uncle Andy, provides beginner classes that offers new students a book with basic chords. Using the book he has created, they learn finger placement, strums, and 'ōlelo Hawai'i(Hawaiian Language). The students are guided through the book and then provided the opportunity to learn more difficult pieces in a more advanced group. This group has performed at local festivals and other performances at the Ohana Dance Group location.
Ohana Dance Group Sponsors a free preschool playgroup, that began as a coordination with Sacramento's First 5, to support preschool aged children and their parents develop bonds while learning about the Hawaiian Culture through art, dance, language, and music. The group meets monthly with children, ages 0-5. They have learned about letters, numbers, animals and most recently the weather. The children have sung songs in Hawaiian and danced hulas that were geared to the young age group. They were also able to use Hawaiian implements to hula.
Daily Classes/ Events
Tuesday
Papa Lehua (advanced)
05:30PM-07:00PM
Papa Lehua focuses on precision and in depth nuances of the poetry of each hula. They work on ‘oli and vocabulary held with the mo’olelo. The technique is controlled and dancers are expected to know how movements effect the story being told. They learn ‘Olelo No’eua and how to impart it on their personal life and those around them. They become leaders in the halau and often lead events and workshops. The dancers lead by example.
Papa Tiare(Tahitian)
07:30PM-09:00PM
Tahitian classes are led through a deep understanding of the dance and appropriate technique. The dancers learn about the story being told and the meaning of each movement. In each class they are taught the basic techniques with an emphasis on correct motions and movements. The leader provides each student with the opportunity to move at their own pace but still gain the purpose of the dance.
Wednesday
Papa Melia (intermediate)
06:30PM-08:00PM
Papa Melia has learned the lineage and protocols. They become proficient in dancing with implements and chanting ‘oli with correct intonation and understanding. They start gaining a deeper understanding of the poetry with review of vocabulary and meaning of the movements. They are working on being a well rounded ‘olapa.
Thursday
Ukulele
05:30PM-06:30PM
Ukulele classes are provided at Ohana Dance Group's location. The teacher is a musician that performs with a local group, named Ho'okipa. Any Ene, known as Uncle Andy, provides beginner classes that offers new students a book with basic chords. Using the book he has created, they learn finger placement, strums, and 'olelo Hawai'i(Hawaiian Language). The students are guided through the book and then provided the opportunity to learn more difficult pieces in a more advanced group. This group has performed at local festivals and other performances at the Ohana Dance Group location.
Saturday
Papa Keiki
08:30AM-10:00AM
Keiki ages 5-11 years old are taught basic movements and how to use implements through hula, while learning vocabulary and cultural significance of each hula.
Papa ‘Opio
10:00AM-00:00PM
‘Opio ages 11-18 years old are taught vocabulary, mo’olelo, proper technique, ‘oil, kahiko and ‘auana. They frequently dance with the wahine classes in performances and are expected to learn and live by the values taught in classes.
Papa Ilima (beginners)
00:00PM-01:30PM
This class will help you rebuild a strong foundation in the hula, and introduce you to our halau, and our lineage. We also teach about the culture, the protocols, and of course, the dancing, all while becoming a part of the ?ohana. Our hope is to see you grow not only as a dancer but as an individual as well.
Everyday
Aloha with Little Hands(preschool)
10:00AM-11:00AM
Preschool aged children and their parents develop bonds while learning about the Hawaiian Culture through art, dance, language, and music. The group meets monthly with children, ages 0-5. They have learned about letters, numbers, animals and most recently the weather. The children have sung songs in Hawaiian and danced hulas that were geared to the young age group. They were also able to use Hawaiian implements to dance a hula about the Pupu(shells) that shine on the beach and Kala’au to dance about the many things in our world.
SERVICES/CLASSES WE PROVIDE
Hula
Tahitian
Performance for hire
Female Classes
Male Classes
Keiki Classes
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Aloha and welcome to our ohana! Please view this video for a quick tutorial.
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