About Us
Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E was founded in 1986 to coordinate cultural education programs that benefit the community of Hawai`i. The Halau is a membership organization whose mission is to keep Hawaiian culture alive by fostering and encouraging a deep appreciation of Hawaiian cultural arts from generation to generation, encompassing many aspects of this cultural lifestyle but with a particular focus on music and hula. Students in the halau range from age 3 to 63 and are taught all aspects of the hula tradition including practicing traditional Hawaiian values.
The halau enjoys a strong following and can pull together a large number of volunteers both from their own membership and supporters and from numerous other halaus throughout the world who support and participate in a variety of activities and events organized by Halau o Kou Lima Nani E and Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima.
Non-Profit Background
In 2004 Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. The Foundation’s mission is to keep the Hawaiian culture alive by promoting and encouraging a deep admiration of the Hawaiian arts from generation to generation, which encompasses every aspect of the Hawaiian lifestyle with particular focus on hula and music. Significant accomplishments to date include coordination and choreography of the annual He Halia Aloha Lili’uokalani Festival in Hilo, and the `Iolani Luahine Hula Festival held bi-annually in Kailua-Kona.
Executive Director - Iwalani Kalima is the Kumu Hula of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E. She has studied under renowned hula master George Lanakilakeikiahiali'i Na'ope for over 36 years. She received her kumu palapala in 1982. And has the ambition to perpetuate her life experiences, with people that want to learn about hula, Hawaiian culture and its arts.
Board of Directors Background
President – Roxane Kapuaimohalaikalani Stewart - Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i Kapua began dancing hula at the age of eight with Uncle Johnny Lum Ho before going off to school at Kamehameha-Kapālama. Upon returning home after high school, Kapua began dancing with kumu Iwalani in 1994 and continues to be a member of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani ‘E with contributions that include the composition of oli and guidance in conducting various traditional protocols. Kapua earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from UH-Hilo majoring in Marine Science with a minor in Hawaiian Studies along with a teaching certificate in Secondary Science Education. Kapua later went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Marine Resource Monitoring and Education in 2005. She currently works as a science kumu in the public education system in Hilo.
Vice-President – Kainoa Lafaele was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. She graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a B.A in Hawaiian Studies and has also been fully certified and licensed in Elementary Education. She is an educator in the Hawaiian Immersion program.
Secretary – Kim Leolani Kalama has been a Kea'au resident since 2003 living with her husband and son. She began dancing with Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E in July 2004. Her earliest hula training was with John Piilani Watkins as a keiki in Kapahulu, Oahu. Professionally, she has over 15 years of administrative experience, most recently in the retail grocery business as Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Operations.
Treasurer – Pua McKeen Ehrhorn was born and raised in Keaukaha, Hilo, Hawai’i and began dancing hula at the age of 4. She began dancing for Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E in October 1995 as a teenager. She has a BA in Hawaiian Studies, a Minor in Astronomy and a certificate in Elementary education from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. She currently works to perpetuate culture and language as an elementary Hawaiian Language Immersion teacher in Keaukaha. I Ola Mau Nå Pua!!