Hālau 'o Ku'ulei

Hālau 'o Ku'ulei Hālau `o Ku`ulei/Poerava ‘o Te Ari’i - a Polynesian Dance Academy located in Vacaville, CA. http://youtu.be/71B9QMJaFfM
(1)

Halau `o Ku`ulei translates to Ku`ulei's Hula School.

RE: MAHALO NUI LOAMe ke aloha nui a me ka haʻahaʻa, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our Hālau, Kumu, nā...
09/09/2026

RE: MAHALO NUI LOA

Me ke aloha nui a me ka haʻahaʻa, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our Hālau, Kumu, nā haumāna (students), nā ʻohana, nā hoaaloha (friends), and our entire community who came together to support our fundraiser.

Ua kūleʻa kā mākou “waffle”! Our fundraiser was a beautiful success, and it is because of ʻoukou (all of you), who shared your aloha, your time, your generosity, and your kōkua.

A very special MAHALO NUI LOA to all of the wonderful vendors, local businesses, and individuals who donated prizes and supported our cause.

Your generosity helped make this “waffle” possible, and we are so grateful that you chose to stand alongside our hālau and support what we are working toward.

Mahalo for your trust, your kindness, and your willingness to kōkua.

*HĀLAU ‘O KU’ULEI
https://www.facebook.com/HalauOKuulei?mibextid=wwXIfr

*MAACO COLLISION REPAIR & AUTOBODY, VACAVILLE
https://www.facebook.com/MaacoVacavilleCA?mibextid=wwXIfr

*VINCE & KU’ULEI MCALLISTER

*KLÈ SALON
https://www.instagram.com/kle_salon?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

*LEIOPUALANI LEHUA MCALLISTER

*ALOHA VIBES ONLY
https://www.alohavibesonlywear.com/

*VEGAS BLOOMS
https://www.instagram.com/vegas_blooms?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Please take a moment to show these amazing people and businesses some aloha and support.

Every ticket purchased, every donation given, every prize contributed, and every person who helped spread the word became a part of this journey.

For us, hula is more than ka hula (the hula). It is moʻolelo (storytelling), mele (song), oli (chant), manaʻo (knowledge), and aloha (love).

It is the connection between Kumu and haumāna (student), keiki (child) and kūpuna (elder), and our hālau (school) and our ʻohana (family).

ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia.
No task is too big when done together.

And together, we did it!

✨ HOʻOMAIKA’I
(CONGRATULATIONS) TO OUR “WAFFLE” WINNERS! ✨

*Pot $761.50: Katelin Johnson
*3 Months FREE Hula Lessons (new students only): Tori Padilla
*3 Months FREE Hula Lessons (new students only): DJ Blancaflor
*Beauty Society Beauty Box: Lanore
*MAACO Certificate, Buff Headlight Clear: Kamelenene Hernandez
*Klè Salon Hair Cut/Style Gift Certificate and Hair Products: Naomi Tofaeono
*49er McCaffrey Jersey: Tina Tofaeono
*Aloha Vibes Only Green Fleece Hawaiian Blanket w/ Kawika Alfiche Kale’a CD: Tori Padilla
*Aloha Vibes Only Yellow Fleece Hawaiian Blanket w/ Wireless Karaoke Machine, Microphone & Speaker: Tina Tofaeono
*Starbucks Dark Green Water Bottle, Hot Coffee Cup, Hot Mug Set: Fala Sagote
*Vegas Blooms Flower Arrangement: Pastor George Auau

To all of our winners, hoʻomaikaʻi! May you enjoy your prizes with much aloha.

And to everyone who supported, donated, shared, purchased tickets, volunteered, and cheered us on … mai ka puʻuwai, mahalo nui loa (from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much).

We are truly blessed to have such a beautiful ʻohana and community surrounding our hālau.

E ola ka hula! E ola ka ʻohana! E ola ke aloha!
May hula continue to live.
May ʻohana continue to thrive.
May aloha continue to guide us.

A hui hou, e nā hoa. Aloha nui loa!
Kumu Ku’ulei
“I am … because we are”

09/06/2026

Mahalo Nui Loa, Hālau!

He lā nani nō kēia! What a beautiful day at the Pacific Islander Celebration! Stanford vs University Hawai’i Manoa Football Game!

I want to take a moment to recognize each and every one of you for the incredible job you did yesterday.
I ʻike nō au i ka nui o ka hana …
I know it took a lot of hard work, preparation, dedication, and traveling to get us here, but the end result was absolutely AMAZING … and most importantly, it was SOOOO MUCH FUN!!

I am so proud of our Hālau and the way you all showed up, supported one another, and shared your aloha through hula. The smiles, the energy, the laughter, and the love we shared yesterday are what make these moments so special.

I’ve created a shared album with all of the pictures and video from Friday’s rehearsal and yesterday’s event. Please add your photos and videos so we can all enjoy and remember these special moments together!

I also want to extend a very special Mahalo Nui Loa to Kumu Makana, Hālau Makana, and Samoan Solutions for your incredible hospitality, generosity, and fellowship throughout this entire event process. I know firsthand the hard work that happens behind the scenes … the planning, preparation, coordination, and countless details that often go unseen. I want you to know that it is seen, it is appreciated, and it does not go unnoticed. Mahalo for welcoming us, sharing this experience with us, and helping create such a beautiful celebration.

Today was a beautiful reminder that when we come together with aloha, we can create something truly special.

Until we meet again…
A Hui Hou! 🌺

With much aloha and pride,�Kumu Ku’ulei
“I am … because we are”

COME JOIN US FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE CELEBRATION!We are excited to be part of this incredible celebration of P...
08/07/2026

COME JOIN US FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE CELEBRATION!

We are excited to be part of this incredible celebration of Pasifika culture at Stanford!

Come experience the beauty, music, movement, and traditions of Hawaiʻi, Sāmoa, Tonga & Fiji!

✨ Live cultural performances�✨ Hands-on cultural activities�✨ Pacific Islander heritage & traditions�✨ And, of course, some football!

Saturday, August 29, 2026�Stanford Stadium — Palo Alto�Free Fan Fest: 1:00–3:30 PM�Stanford vs. Hawaiʻi — Kickoff at 4:00 PM

Bring your ʻohana, bring your friends, and come celebrate Pasifika with us!

We’d love to see you there!

THE RESULTS ARE IN!!~ Heiva San Diego Tahitian CompetitionHA’AI WON …Best Orero (language)Best Fresh CostumeBest Mana (s...
08/06/2026

THE RESULTS ARE IN!!
~ Heiva San Diego Tahitian Competition

HA’AI WON …
Best Orero (language)
Best Fresh Costume
Best Mana (spirit, energy)
First Place: Group Tamari’i Aparima
First Place: Rohi pehe (drumming)
Second Place: Group Ote’a
Second Place: Group Wahine
Second Place: Group Aparima
Third Place: Group Tamari’i Ote’a

WHAT A WEEKEND FOR OUR HĀLAU!

We just wrapped up an incredible weekend competing at the Heiva San Diego Tahitian Competition, and I am beyond proud to announce that the HA’AI Project we participated in came home with NINE CATEGORY WINS!

But those wins didn't happen by accident. Behind every performance were hours and hours of training, sweat, sacrifice, costume-making, rehearsals, corrections, early mornings, late nights, and moments when our girls had to push through exhaustion and keep going.

I watched these dancers challenge themselves, step outside their comfort zones, grow in confidence, and continue raising the bar. They didn't simply show up to compete, they showed up prepared to give everything they had.

To our hālau competitors: You were amazing in the Aparima and ‘Ote’a competitions! I SEE YOU. I see the work you put in when nobody was watching. I see the dedication, the discipline, the courage, and the heart you brought to this journey.

And to our hālau ʻohana, our parents, supporters, bakers, costume helpers, coaches, and everyone who stood behind these girls … MAHALO NUI LOA! These victories belong to all of us!

Nine wins. Nine reminders of what happens when hard work meets heart.

Girls, celebrate this moment, but don't stop here. The bar has been raised. Now let's see how much higher we can go!

I couldn't be more proud to call you my dancers.

Hūlō! Hūlō! Hūlō!

~ Kumu Ku’ulei
“I am … because we are”

LŪʻAU SHOW • FUNDRAISER • FAMILY EVENT!Join Hālau ʻO Kuʻulei/Poerava ʻO Te Ariʻi on Saturday, August 22nd as we come tog...
08/04/2026

LŪʻAU SHOW • FUNDRAISER • FAMILY EVENT!

Join Hālau ʻO Kuʻulei/Poerava ʻO Te Ariʻi on Saturday, August 22nd as we come together to support our Benicia Veterans! ❤️🤍💙

🍽️ Lunch • 🎶 Live Show • 🎟️ Raffle Prizes • 🌺 Polynesian Entertainment

📍 Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall�1150 1st Street, Benicia�Show: 1:00–3:30 PM

Come enjoy a beautiful afternoon with ʻohana while supporting a wonderful cause!

All details are on the flyer! We hope to see you there!

My Hālau had the honor of competing at Manahere I ʻOri Tahiti, and I couldn't be more proud of every single one of our c...
08/03/2026

My Hālau had the honor of competing at Manahere I ʻOri Tahiti, and I couldn't be more proud of every single one of our competitors.

Competition is about so much more than the awards. It is about the months of dedication, the countless hours of training, the costumes built by hand, the tears, the breakthroughs, the courage to step onto a stage, and the willingness to be vulnerable in front of judges and an audience. Throughout this entire journey, I have witnessed tremendous growth in each of our dancers. They challenged themselves, trusted the process, and represented our Hālau with grace, strength, and aloha.

As their Kumu, I truly believe every one of them gave a first place performance. They each left a piece of their heart on that stage, and that is something no trophy can ever measure.

A huge congratulations goes to our very own Pulelehualiʻilani, who brought home 2nd Place in her age division! What a performance! Liʻilani absolutely shined on that stage. She danced with confidence, beauty, and authenticity, and it showed in every movement.

The awards ceremony, however, kept all of us on the edge of our seats. Due to several unforeseen issues that had to be worked through by the event organizers and judges, we waited... and waited... and waited some more. By the time the event had officially ended and we had already begun packing up our area, we finally received the wonderful news that Liʻilani had earned Second Place!

While the awards process may have been a bit of a roller coaster, one thing remained certain...

A win is a win, and it was absolutely well deserved.

One of the moments that touched me most was hearing the kind words from Head Judge, Aunty Ricky Liufau ("Mama Nonosina"). Among the many encouraging comments she shared, she told us that Liʻilani was her favorite in her age category and that she "SHINED" on stage. Those words, coming from someone of her experience and stature, are something we will always treasure.

Finally, from the bottom of my heart, mahalo to our incredible Hālau ʻohana. To our parents, students, families, supporters, and everyone who helped prepare costumes, offered encouragement, traveled with us, cheered from the audience, and stayed until the very end thank you. We could not do this without each and every one of you.

This weekend wasn't just about a placement. It was about growth. It was about perseverance. It was about representing our culture with integrity. It was about becoming better than we were yesterday.

Congratulations to all of our competitors. Continue to trust the process, keep training, and never stop believing in yourselves.

The journey continues… and the best is yet to come.

Hūlō! Hūlō! Hūlō!

Kumu Ku’ulei
“I am … because we are”

HŪLŌ HŪLŌ to Tiana Liufau & the Nonosina ʻOhana!On behalf of Hālau ʻO Kuʻulei/Poerava ‘O Te Ari’i, we extend our heartfe...
07/10/2026

HŪLŌ HŪLŌ to Tiana Liufau & the Nonosina ʻOhana!

On behalf of Hālau ʻO Kuʻulei/Poerava ‘O Te Ari’i, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tiana Liufau and the entire Nonosina ʻohana on your incredible involvement in the Disney live-action Moana film!

For decades, Tiana's vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication have helped preserve, celebrate, and elevate the cultures of Polynesia through dance, music, education, and storytelling. Through Nonosina, she has inspired generations of dancers and cultural practitioners while introducing countless people around the world to the beauty and richness of our Pacific heritage.

Your work reaches far beyond the stage. You have helped ignite a love and appreciation for Polynesian culture in people from every walk of life, creating opportunities for others to learn with respect and admiration.

On a personal note, our hālau is deeply grateful for the aloha your ʻohana has shown us. During one of the most important years of our Tahitian competition journey, you welcomed us with open arms, encouraged us, and made us feel like part of your extended Polynesian family. That kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.

As we celebrate this exciting new chapter, we also celebrate the legacy you continue to build, a legacy rooted in culture, excellence, humility, and service. Thank you for representing our people with authenticity and grace, and for reminding the world that our stories deserve to be seen, heard, and honored.

Congratulations to every member of the Nonosina family who helped bring this beautiful story to life. We are cheering for you, celebrating with you, and are incredibly proud of all that you continue to accomplish.

HŪLŌ HŪLŌ! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

With love, respect, and admiration,
Kumu Kuʻulei Auwae-McAllister�& Hālau ʻO Kuʻulei/Poerava ‘O Te Ari’i

Makana,Congratulations on this incredible milestone!To see you chosen as the lead Tahitian dancer in Moana is something ...
07/10/2026

Makana,
Congratulations on this incredible milestone!

To see you chosen as the lead Tahitian dancer in Moana is something so well deserved. This role isn't just a reflection of your extraordinary talent, it's a reflection of your years of dedication, discipline, humility, and love for our culture.

Thank you for being an inspiration to so many dancers, including my own hālau. Through your example, you've shown them that dreams aren't simply wished for, they're earned through hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning and growing.

Tonight, my hālau and I are honored to be here to celebrate you. We can't wait to cheer you on, watch you shine, and witness this beautiful moment in your journey. We hope you know that every person in that audience who has been touched by your kindness, your teaching, and your artistry is celebrating right alongside you.

May this be only the beginning of many amazing opportunities to come. Continue to dance with the same passion, grace, and authenticity that has brought you to this moment. The world is finally getting to see what so many of us have known all along.

We are incredibly proud of you.

With all our love and admiration,
Kumu Kuʻulei & Hālau ʻO Kuʻulei/Poerava ‘O Te Ari’i

Mahalo for carrying our Polynesian cultures with such grace, integrity, and heart. Your light gives others permission to dream bigger.

Join us for a FREE Hula show on Saturday, July 11, 2:15pm-2:45pm at the Harley Davidson Tiki Run Finish Line, 100 Auto C...
07/01/2026

Join us for a FREE Hula show on Saturday, July 11, 2:15pm-2:45pm at the Harley Davidson Tiki Run Finish Line, 100 Auto Center Drive, Vacaville, CA 95688

Food, Vendors, Entertainment 🌺

LUMPIA -LUMPIA - LUMPIA - LUMPIA 🌺 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER 🌺Hālau Hula ‘o Ku’ulei/Poerava ‘o Te Ari’i of Vacaville (a Pol...
06/17/2026

LUMPIA -LUMPIA - LUMPIA - LUMPIA
🌺 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER 🌺
Hālau Hula ‘o Ku’ulei/Poerava ‘o Te Ari’i of Vacaville (a Polynesian cultural and dance academy) is selling lumpia again for the upcoming 4th of July holiday!! Order several packs for your upcoming get together or holiday party!!

Pack of 20 lumpia (pork), shanghai style for $20. They are made ready to cook or freeze. Pick up in Vacaville on the prison side of town.

Freshly made orders are ready NOW!

Please message to place order.
We also make extra packs each day if you might want some at the last minute.

We accept cash and Venmo.
Mahalo (thank you) for your support!

Address

Hale Ola
Vacaville, CA
95687

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hālau 'o Ku'ulei posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Hālau 'o Ku'ulei:

Shortcuts

Share

Category