History of Our Halau

About our Halau

Halau Kau Ike 'O Lani is part of the La Palma Park and Recreation program offered by the City of La Palma. Besides learning the dances and music of the Islands, students learn to make their own costumes, leis, headgear and other accessories. The various dances they learn include Hawaiian, Auana (hula), Kahiko (chanting), Tahitian, Samoan, and Maori.

Student's come from many different ethnic backgrounds, and are of many different ages. They include both male and female. The Halau is divided into six separate groups. The groups are as follows:

Babies

The babies are our youngest dancers. They range in age from three to five years old. They are the show-stoppers of all our performances. See the Babies Photo Album to see why!

They meet every Monday night at 6:00 pm. They are instructed Makanani Evans, this month's Spotlight Member, and Faith Flowers, Junior Instructors. Current members of this group are Angelica, Jadelyn, Janine, Kelly, Kelsey, Michelle, Nicole, Nui, and Sarah.

Kaikamahines

Kaikamahines meet Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The age group is 8 to 12 years old. Their instructors are: Kumu Auntie Judy and Pamahoa Garcia. The junior instructor is Tara Van Meter.

Current Kaikamahines are Alessandra, Angela, Ashley, Carina, Cheyenne, Erica, Erika, Geraldine, Janae, Jennifer, Jenny, Julianne, Kelsey, Lynzie, Raquel, Shanelle, Sophie, Stephanie, and Taryn.

Wahines

This group ranges in age from 13 years to adult. They are instructed by Alakai Jessica Pamahoa Garcia and Kumu Auntie Judy. They meet Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Current members of this group are Chanel, Denise, Devon, Faith, Joy, Kamalei, Keala, Leilani, Makanani, Melanie, Pamahoa, and Tarra.

Gracious Ladies

This is our adult group and they meet Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with the advance members meeting also on Saturdays from noon to 3:00 p.m.

The Gracious ladies are instructed by Kumu Auntie Judy. Current members of this group are Amy, Connie, Dorothy, Jocelyn, Lillian, Lisa, Marianne, Sali, Sylvia, and Yasmine.

Seniors

The Seniors group is actually the Luk-Tung Chinese Exercise Group. They meet Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Curent members of this 65+ group include Leo Alporque, Andrea Yuponco, Josie Eastin, Cory Manas, Janet Higa, Leony Mendaros, Jean Ito, Ann Nagasawa, Lorene Lowe, Jon Nagasawa, Nelson Lowe, Pat Nakahara, Ginger Tang, Jane Taira, Esther Edmilao, Jane Tanaka, Jackson Edmilao, Helen Toma, Kay Chu, May Nakao, and Lilia San Juan.

Da Band

The backbone of any Halau is their musicians. They provide the sweet melodies that add to the dancer?s interpretation and mood of their hulas. Our musicians include Henry Kamae on Yukele, Owen Akiona on guitar, Roy Durand on guitar, Bernie Endaya on bass, and Ellen Swope various instruments and vocalist

In 1989, Kumu Judy Leinaala Kalehua, as a member of the Kamaaina Club of Orange County, approached members with an idea. She had a dream to teach the children about Hawaiian and other Polynesian cultures through dance and music. That group became known as Na Opio O' Kamaaina. Under "Auntie Judy's" leadership, she soon recruited other teachers to help her teach the children. Through the years, these children performed for many functions, traveling throughout the state. As children do, these original dancers, grew up and went on their way in life taking with them a deep love and respect for their culture.

In 1995, "Auntie Judy" started her current group, Halau Kau Ike O' Lani. Through her efforts, this group has performed at the Orange County Fair, La Palma Days, the Ho'olaulea Festival in Lawndale, several other local events.

Halau Kau Ike O' Lani has become a beloved cherished asset to the City of La Palma and the Polynesian community. "Auntie Judy's" has realized her dream over and over many times in teaching the Hawaiian culture to mainland born Hawaiian children as well to the young and old of other ethnic groups who have since joined her Halau.

Pamahoa Garcia

Pamahoa is Kumu Auntie Judy's Alakai. She helps with instruction and the running of the Halau. She has been with Auntie Judy since the beginning. She and her brothers and sisters were part of Auntie Judy's original group, Na Opio O' Kamaaina.

Pamahoa is married to Kumu Auntie Judy's son, Richard Garcia. They have have two children, Sonny and Makayla.