Hula Halau Pili Hana
Share
Our Motto is, "To share our knowledge through song and dance with humility, dignity, and pride, so that we may touch the hearts of those around us."
Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Phoenix?
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Location
Website
Address
Phoenix, AZ
General information
Joseph Leinani Leuck, studied under the tutelage of the late Kumu Hula Master- Joseph Kamaha'i Kaha'ulelio, where he received his certificate of teachings and became Kumu Hula in 1983.
As a student Joseph toured and performed throughout Northern California as a soloist dancer and also as a couple dancer with his wife Ada they were known as Uncle Joe's couple dancers. When his Kumu started the San Francisco Tahiti Fete he became house drummer under the Direction of Van Francisco and Erwin Dumances who both are prominent Tahitian Drummers and Teachers. He helped in forming a family group which was called Hau'oli Aikane.
Joseph left California in 1979 and moved to Arizona to raise his family. Still studying under his kumu he opened his first Halau (Kane Hula Halau 'O Leinani) with his Kumu's blessings to perpetuate the Polynesian Culture. Soon after, his Kumu told him it was time to expand his teachings and not to limit himself to only male but also female. This is when, "Hula Halau Pili Hana," was born. Later he helped in forming a proffesional group called Hanau 'O Hawaii, where he not only choreographed and taught his dancers, he did the drumming, and the music coordination.Joseph broke away from Hanau 'O Hawaii after 13 years of entertaining. He also formed a music group called Kanikapila which is no longer, it consisted of local boys who were going to graduate school and home sick. Not only did Joseph build these groups he also helped in the birth of the Hawaiian Club. Joseph along with Tony Patao were the original founders. The two had a dream to get local people together and together they made it reality. With both of htem living on opposite sides of town Tony got the locals on the Eastside and Joseph got the local people on the Westside. They began socializing at Yum's Restaurant who changed it's name to Stans Coconut Village which is no longer in existence. This was the birth of the Hawaiian Club. The Hawaiian Club, looking for a name had a contest in which Joseph had entered, he chose a name that would represent the many people of Hawaii and that is how he came up with the name "Lau Kanaka No Hawaii." He was the first voted in President of the Hui with Ben Stillman as Vice President, unfortunately he stepped down a few months later due to conflicted interest between his Halau and Professional Group. He felt he did not have the adequate time to sincerely give his full attention to what he believed the club deserved. So the office went back to Tony Patao with Ben Stillman as his VP. Joseph and his family is still active with the Club when they need his kokua.
Joseph has accomplished many things from doing workshops in California for Hula Halau 'O Nalua's male dancers, and as their Ho'opa'a (chanter) for both kane and wahine. He has also gone into competition as their Ho'opa'a taking first place overall in California's Ia Oe E Kala held in San Jose and Las Vegas, Nevada's- Hula Ho'okuku. He continued chanting for sister Nalau in competition for five more years. Joseph now concentrates exclusivley on his Halau and the perpetuation of the Polynesian culture. He has toured his Halau throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, and Hawaii.
HULA HALAU PILI HANA (Polynesian Dance School)
Formed in 1980 by Joseph Leinani Leuck who studied for 9 years in the art of hula under the tutelage of Hula Master Joseph Kamohai Kahaulelio.
The Halau (hula house) started and still resides here in Phoenix, Arizona. The school now has a cast of 35 students and is still growing.
Joseph has also formed two other Polynesian groups which he has trained and help get off the ground. The groups are known as "Hanau 'O Hawaii" and "Kanikapila Band" that still performs around the valley.
These are the various places that we have performed in and out of the valley:
Maricopa County Handicap Center (5yrs)
Jerry Lewis Telethon - Buckeye, AZ
Hyatt Regency Hotels - AZ
McCormack Ranch Resorts - Scottsdale, AZ
Kivel Geriatric Center - Phx, AZ
Hello Phoenix Cultural Festival - Phx Civic Plaza (6yrs)
West is Best - Phx, AZ
Lodges (Elks, Moose, etc...)
Centinnel Hall - Hayward, CA
Richmond Civic Plaza - Richmond, CA
California Club - Las Vegas, NV (graduation class
from HI)
These are just a few places we have been.
The Primary objective of the Halau is to instill in each student, the knowledge of the Polynesian Culture, through song and dance. Not only will the student learn the dance, they will also learn the true meaning of the song, as well as the history behind the dance, that the Hula portrays.
The Halau color is purple, and the island flower is the Mokihana Berry, which represents the island of Kaua'i. Our Motto is, "To share our knowledge through song and dance with humility, dignity, and pride, so that we may touch the hearts of those around us."
As a student Joseph toured and performed throughout Northern California as a soloist dancer and also as a couple dancer with his wife Ada they were known as Uncle Joe's couple dancers. When his Kumu started the San Francisco Tahiti Fete he became house drummer under the Direction of Van Francisco and Erwin Dumances who both are prominent Tahitian Drummers and Teachers. He helped in forming a family group which was called Hau'oli Aikane.
Joseph left California in 1979 and moved to Arizona to raise his family. Still studying under his kumu he opened his first Halau (Kane Hula Halau 'O Leinani) with his Kumu's blessings to perpetuate the Polynesian Culture. Soon after, his Kumu told him it was time to expand his teachings and not to limit himself to only male but also female. This is when, "Hula Halau Pili Hana," was born. Later he helped in forming a proffesional group called Hanau 'O Hawaii, where he not only choreographed and taught his dancers, he did the drumming, and the music coordination.Joseph broke away from Hanau 'O Hawaii after 13 years of entertaining. He also formed a music group called Kanikapila which is no longer, it consisted of local boys who were going to graduate school and home sick. Not only did Joseph build these groups he also helped in the birth of the Hawaiian Club. Joseph along with Tony Patao were the original founders. The two had a dream to get local people together and together they made it reality. With both of htem living on opposite sides of town Tony got the locals on the Eastside and Joseph got the local people on the Westside. They began socializing at Yum's Restaurant who changed it's name to Stans Coconut Village which is no longer in existence. This was the birth of the Hawaiian Club. The Hawaiian Club, looking for a name had a contest in which Joseph had entered, he chose a name that would represent the many people of Hawaii and that is how he came up with the name "Lau Kanaka No Hawaii." He was the first voted in President of the Hui with Ben Stillman as Vice President, unfortunately he stepped down a few months later due to conflicted interest between his Halau and Professional Group. He felt he did not have the adequate time to sincerely give his full attention to what he believed the club deserved. So the office went back to Tony Patao with Ben Stillman as his VP. Joseph and his family is still active with the Club when they need his kokua.
Joseph has accomplished many things from doing workshops in California for Hula Halau 'O Nalua's male dancers, and as their Ho'opa'a (chanter) for both kane and wahine. He has also gone into competition as their Ho'opa'a taking first place overall in California's Ia Oe E Kala held in San Jose and Las Vegas, Nevada's- Hula Ho'okuku. He continued chanting for sister Nalau in competition for five more years. Joseph now concentrates exclusivley on his Halau and the perpetuation of the Polynesian culture. He has toured his Halau throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, and Hawaii.
HULA HALAU PILI HANA (Polynesian Dance School)
Formed in 1980 by Joseph Leinani Leuck who studied for 9 years in the art of hula under the tutelage of Hula Master Joseph Kamohai Kahaulelio.
The Halau (hula house) started and still resides here in Phoenix, Arizona. The school now has a cast of 35 students and is still growing.
Joseph has also formed two other Polynesian groups which he has trained and help get off the ground. The groups are known as "Hanau 'O Hawaii" and "Kanikapila Band" that still performs around the valley.
These are the various places that we have performed in and out of the valley:
Maricopa County Handicap Center (5yrs)
Jerry Lewis Telethon - Buckeye, AZ
Hyatt Regency Hotels - AZ
McCormack Ranch Resorts - Scottsdale, AZ
Kivel Geriatric Center - Phx, AZ
Hello Phoenix Cultural Festival - Phx Civic Plaza (6yrs)
West is Best - Phx, AZ
Lodges (Elks, Moose, etc...)
Centinnel Hall - Hayward, CA
Richmond Civic Plaza - Richmond, CA
California Club - Las Vegas, NV (graduation class
from HI)
These are just a few places we have been.
The Primary objective of the Halau is to instill in each student, the knowledge of the Polynesian Culture, through song and dance. Not only will the student learn the dance, they will also learn the true meaning of the song, as well as the history behind the dance, that the Hula portrays.
The Halau color is purple, and the island flower is the Mokihana Berry, which represents the island of Kaua'i. Our Motto is, "To share our knowledge through song and dance with humility, dignity, and pride, so that we may touch the hearts of those around us."