Hula O Lehualani

My daughter has danced for Kumu Krista since she was 4 years old. She is now 11 and a beautiful dancer. The halau has gone from a garage to an amazing space in Edmonds. Kumu is not only fluent in Hawaiian, knows the history and culture of Hawai’i, more importantly she lives, breaths and exudes aloha. It’s more than a halau it’s ohana.

First, I want to preface that I do not normally Unilocal.However, today I am inclined to respond to a Unilocal that is not about aloha. If you are a member of this halau (and you may not be and this is a mistake) you would know that all the members, haumana, stand for aloha. The kumu teaches in a style that shares the knowledge of hula from her kumus, their kumus, etc. a lineage and style I am so proud of. I have danced with other halau and this one has always made me feel aloha. Where I feel you may not be talking about the right halau is because the kumu does not stress «shows» –there hasn’t been one since the Ho’ike. If placement in a show is what is disturbing you, please do not be passive aggressive, and post in Unilocal.This is not aloha.
Kumu stresses learning outcomes and teaches with expertise in pedagogy and learning styles. A gift her kumus should be proud of. She is extremely approachable and will listen to criticism. She is fair and would tackle any concerns with poise, knowledge and grace.
I would recommend this halau with all my spirit. The commaradie amongst the dancers and the families is amazing.
Hula is about sharing a gift of story. Tell the story. Dance with humility. Share the aloha, my hula sistah.

I’ve enjoyed being a part of Hula O Lehualani since Kumu Krista first opened the halau in 2007. My daughter and I love Kumu Krista and all of our hula sisters so much! You will not find a halau filled with more aloha than ours!!! We really enjoy the dance, culture, and history lessons that Kumu teaches us. Her most important on-​going lesson is about how to live and share aloha. When I first started learning hula, I told Kumu I was not going to dance in public. She explained to me that hula is «not about you.» She’s right. Hula is about sharing a story and sharing aloha. I know I’m not a great dancer, but I’ll keep on practicing all the dances Kumu has patiently taught me and hope that everyone can feel the aloha when I am and am not dancing. Thank you Hula O Lehualani Sistahs and Ohana for your warm aloha. Mahalo, Kumu Krista for your kindness and patience and mostly for giving me the courage to start taking hula lessons!!!

My girls and I have been dancing for Hula O Lehualani for a year. I grew up a dancer and have many dancers in my family (amature and professionals). What I love about this halau is not just my hula sisters & nieces, but the love and respect that my Kumu has for the Hawaiian culture & for not being a sell out and showboating, but keeping it real. What drew me to this halau was the sisterhood and the beauty in Kristas’ choreography and how it just mesmerizes and captures the audience. There is something beautiful about hula when you dance it with love, respect and humility. I love also that this halau is not big on shows/​performances. We just dance! I’ve been in halaus where it was back to back shows almost all year long. All in attempt to «show”-off and at this halau that is not what it is about. All my children and I want to do is dance and if a show comes up or not then that’s fine. I love the fact that experienced or not you are seen. Although some dancers see front and center as «the place to be» I am content with just dancing. I don’t care where it is, front, back, middle. On stage or off as long as I get to dance. I may not be the best dancer, but I don’t care. Krista has been a blessing to my ohana… giving me the opportunity to dance and have fun while doing it with a group of girls that I have grown to love! I love you my sistahz of Papa Lokenani!!!