San Diego Hula Academy

PRESENTING NAPUA 🤌🏽

Wise beyond her years, Napua demonstrates high levels of self-control, listens intently, and adds calm under pressure. Napua has literally grown up at hālau sharing so many of her milestones with us! We are thrilled to see her on the Wahine team and can’t wait to see her breathe life into her hula. 🌬️

www.gnhf.net
July 17-19, 2026
Doubletree Hilton
Sacramento, CA
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Why do you hula?
I started hula because of Lilo and stitch. I used to follow the hula movements in the movie until I finally joined a halau. Since that I fell in love with the culture, the language, and the dance.

Favorite hālau moment (so far):
When I came back to hula, I rolled my ankle and had to dance in a chair!

What are you going to do as soon as kapu is pau?
Eat a buttload of sugar and cut my hair!

Musubi or Manapua?
musubi

Rice or Noodles?
Rice

What is your go to shave ice flavah?
Cotton candy

Name someone on the competition team that you admire and why?
Pōmaika’i really inspires me because of her positive attitude, and encouragement she gives me and the other girls.

Weird but true fact about you:
I can wiggle my ears

Summer Luau at Michi Brew Co.

Join us for an island-inspired summer evening at Michi Brew Co. featuring food from MabuHi, live music by Ho‘Okani, hula with SD Hula, tiki art from Ken Ruzic, lei making workshop and a special Michi beer release.

We’re bringing together great beer, local food, live entertainment, and tropical taproom vibes for one of our biggest summer events of the season.

Come hungry, bring your friends and family, and settle in for a night of music, movement, art, and fresh pours in San Elijo Hills.

Event Highlights:
Dinner by MabuHI Food Truck
Live music by Ho’okani Band
Hula performance by SAN DIEGO HULA ACADEMY
Tiki art booth by Ken Ruzic
Lei Making workshop by Hā’awi Aloha by Cristina ✿
Special Michi beer release
Island vibes all evening

Date: June 27
Location: Michi Brew Co. | San Elijo
Dinner Tickets available @ MichiBrewCo.com

🥰 MEET KU’UIPO

From La’ie, Ku’uipo is excited to be on stage to represent her family. This mana wahine shows up every day with intense concentration, unwavering determination, and a whole lot of heart. She expects a lot of her teammates, but demands excellence from herself.

Go get ‘em, Ku’uipo! 💪🏼

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Why do you hula?
Hula helps me stay connected to my Hawaiian culture, heritage, and ancestors. I love being able to express stories and traditions through movement, and it makes me feel proud to carry on something so meaningful. Hula also brings me closer to the people around me and reminds me of where I come from.

Favorite hālau moment (so far):
Laughing about unreasonable things with my hula sisters.

What is the first thing you’re gonna do when kapu is pau?
Diet Coke. Sugar. Repeat.

Choose — musubi or manapua?
Emotional support musubi or three. Actually a whole bag.

Choose — rice or noodles?
Rice.

What is your go-to shave ice flavah?
Lilikoi, guava, and banana with ice cream.

Name someone on the competition team that you admire and why?
I admire Ku’upua for her constant dedication to hula and her strength to rise up. She is smart, kind, and someone you always want on your team. She always brings it and makes everything so much more fun.

Weird but true fact about you:
I have willingly jumped out of a place twice

PAPA KUKUI ✨

Our ladies and gents in Kūpuna Class have truly brought a bright light to San Diego Hula Academy.

These dancers continue to work hard, but show what teamwork is all about. Hours of practicing, sewing, making lei together…we haven’t found an end to their talents yet!

This week one of our OG had to say “a hui hou” as she moves on to the next step in her journey. We know we will see each other again soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if this group said “Road Trip!” 🚗🚙🚗🚙

📸: & BTS photos by haumana

💚 She may be small… but she is mighty.

Ku’upua exemplifies “Kulia I Ka Nu’u”, always striving for excellence and improvement. Always willing to help a teammate or her Kumu, Ku’upua is one of our wahine you want to be standing shoulder to shoulder with.

“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Catch Ku’upua on stage at the George Na’ope Hula Festival July 17-19 in Sacramento.

www.gnhf.net
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Why do you hula?
I dance hula because dancing makes me happy. When I’m at hālau, I’m able to turn off the constant noise in my brain and just be present in my body and in the moment. Seeing the girls every week is something I always look forward to, and I really love learning the stories and meanings behind each hula. It gives me a sense of belonging, peace and happiness.

Favorite hālau moment (so far):
My favorite hālau moments have to be attending Merrie Monarch the first time and being able to experience the festival in person. Another moment was going to Hawaii this past October to celebrate Lehua’s birthday and being able to learn hula from him. These moments brought me closer to my hula sisters and strengthened our friendships beyond the hālau.

What is the first thing youre gonna do when kapu is pau?
Eat all the sweet treats! 🍪🍩🍦🍫

Choose - musubi or manapua?
Musubi!

Choose - rice or noodles?
Noodles!

What is your go to shave ice flavah?
Tigers Blood with condensed milk

Name someone on the competition team that you admire and why?
I admire Kanoe because in addition to competing for the first time this year, she is also stepping up to be ho‘opa‘a with Kumu for our team. Her dedication to the team and her commitment to learning and honoring the Hawaiian culture are truly inspiring.

Weird but true fact about you:
I learned how to do sad eyebrows for hula by watching homeward bound 🥺

🤎 It’s about time to do a little reintroduction… HERE IS PĪKAKE.

A fierce member of our wahine competition group, Pīkake has proven to be fiercely dedicated, gracefully humble, and quietly passionate.

We can’t wait to see her on the stage in a few short weeks.
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ABOUT PĪKAKE:

Why do you hula?
I hula because it makes me feel connected to home while being so far away. It also brings me complete joy while I am dancing and it’s when I feel most like myself.

Favorite hālau moment (so far):
My favorite halau moment would be when I was able to travel to Hilo and experience Merrie Monarch with Kumu and some of our competition team in 2023.

First thing you’re doing when kapu is pau?
The first thing I’m doing when kapu is over….is drinking a Diet Coke!

Choose - musubi or manapua?
Baked Manapua!!

Choose - rice or noodles?
Rice!!

My favorite shave ice flavah:
My favorite shave ice flavor is blue vanilla!!

Someone on the competition team I admire is:
I admire Ku’uipo because she handles everything on her plate with such grace. Her calm demeanor and determined attitude is truly inspiring.

Weird (but true) fact about me?!
I overthink everything in life except when I’m dancing lol and I can write with both hands!

See you at George Na’ope Hula Festival in Sacramento this July!

JOIN US TOMORROW AT MISSION VALLEY MALL TO JUMPSTART SUMMER!☀️🌺

with .repost
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Text the group chat, grab your friends & meet us here TOMORROW at 12PM for sunshine, live music & island vibes ✨