Aloha Hula NYC

We will respond to your inquiry with a show proposal and sample show line up.

The original ALOHA HULA dance troupe formed in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT). Don't be confused by any other name but ALOHA HULA NYC. We continue to perpetuate the Hawaiian/Polynesian culture through workshops in NYC and our affiliation with the community. We travel home to Hawa'i and California to continue our hula studies and partake in cultural workshops. By understanding the culture of the Polynesian people we can provide our clients with an authentic production.

HAWAII: Hula is much more than just dance. Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people. It is an expression of history, religion and the human spirit. Hula tells a story about life in Hawaii through graceful hand movements.

TAHITI: Wearing beautiful tall headdresses, grass skirts and hand tassels,the dancers perform the Otea, moving their hips to the fast, pulsating drum beats.

ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT:

1) FIRE KNIFE DANCER

2) HAWAIIAN MUSICIANS

3) NEW ZEALAND: Maori poi balls (can be with fire) which are balls attached to long cords, are twirled and swung about the body to form patterns,in a lasso-like high-energy display. In some cases, flaming poi balls are used. Canoe dances are also performed to tell a story of the Maori people migrating by canoe from Polynesia to New Zealand.

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MORE ABOUT OUR PERFORMERS:

NALU - has been seen on commercials such as, "Dove Body Wash" and "The Travel Channel" featured as a Polynesian dancer. Nalu has also appeared as Liat in "South Pacific", Tahitian girl in Conan O'Brien, numerous roles as Pacific Islander in daytime soap operas and even a cameo appearance opposite Blair Underwood in "Sex in the City". She is a model and has worked with Cosmopolitan, Self, All You Magazines,several print ads and billboards throughout the U.S. including Hawaii and some even in Asia. She is also yoga instructor and currently conducts workshops in NYC and (link hidden)e is a student of Halau (hula school) Pua Ali'i Ilima o Nuioka under the direction of Kumu Vicky Holt- Takamine based in NY and O'ahu.

ELEIA -has been dancing and performing Polynesian dances since she was 18. Invited to dance with Auntie Hula's Royal Hawaiian Dancers, Eleia has performed in front of thousands of people throughout the East Coast. Performing at venues from Ocean City, MD at the Princess Royale; Knoeble's Resort in Pennsylvania; Hawai'i Visitor's Bureau and numerous venues throughout the Tri-state area Eleia enjoys sharing aloha and Polynesian cultures with everyone. In 2011, she was a guest dancer for award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist Robert Cazimero with his Halau, Na Kamalei, in the New York City concert, "On the Island." She also had the honor of performing with San Francisco's Halau o Keikiali'i with Kumu Kawika Alfiche's presentation of "The Sacred Hula: Ka Wa Hula — Hula Through Time" at Symphony Space in New York City, which won critical acclaim in The New York Times. Always looking forward to a fun filled summer of Polynesian revue it fills her passion for dancing. Co-founder of Aloha Hula NYC, LLC, dancer and choreographer she is also a member of a hui (group) Na Lehua Melemele and continues to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through hula to the local Hawaiians in NYC and to those who are Hawaiian at heart.

MATI - is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Dance Central New York,Inc. and Aloha Hula NYC. She teaches modern,jazz and (link hidden)e has appeared on every major network and in commercials as a Polynesian and Principal Dancer for Spain's "Amena cellphone" and "Total Payments Online." Mati has a BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts and stumbled upon hula and tahitian at a young age. Since then, she has continued dancing, performing and sharing her love for dance throughout the East Coast and (link hidden)e also had the honor of performing with Halau o Keikiali'and Kawika Alfiche's presentation of "The Sacred Hula: Ka Wa Hula — Hula Through Time" at Symphony Space in New York City, which won critical acclaim in The New York Times. She is haumana(student) of Halau (hula school) Pua Ali'i Ilima o Nuioka under the direction of Vicky Holt-Takamine based in NY and O'ahu.

HAWAIIAN MUSICIANS

JASON - his music evokes memories of an island paradise - even for those who have never been there. The music of Hawai'i captured Jason's heart about 10 years ago and hasn't let go. How did Pittsburgh-born, classically trained singer Jason Poole find himself knee-deep in mud, gutting fish on the remote island of Molokai? Told he'd never sing again (after an eating disorder ravaged his vocal cords) and that he'd never walk again without a limp (after breaking his hip in a freak ACCIDENT), Jason proved everyone wrong. Thanks to the healing powers of Hawaiian music and dance (as well as being as stubborn as a Molokai mule), he winds up being adopted, educated and lovingly whipped into shape by Hawaiian elder Pilipo "Pops" Solatorio. Pops tells Jason he must share with the world what he's been taught — repertoire from Hawai'i's golden age of song, especially the songs of Molokai. So here he is, the Accidental Hawaiian Crooner, doing his best to make Hawaiian grandmothers cry with delight when he sings Hawai'i's most beloved songs — once he washes off the mud, of course.

P.S: Jason’s parents want you to know that he graduated cum laude with a B.F.A. in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University — and they have the bills to prove it!

ANDY - With family ties to the island of O'ahu, Andy developed an insatiable love for Hawaiian music and the fingerstyle tradition of ki ho'alu (slack key guitar.) For over a decade,he has returned to Hawai'i to study with a host of Hawaiian slack key guitar masters including Ozzie Kotani, Keola Beamer, and George Kahumoku, Jr. Andy has become an ambassador of this art, delighting audiences across the east coast.He has performed Hawaiian music, solo or with other musicians, at a variety of events and venues in the tri-state area. In 2007,he performed at the 15th Annual Taro Festival in Hana, Maui and opened for the Makaha Sons and Hoku Zuttermeister at the Thomas J. Meehan Center for the Performing Arts. He has provided musical accompaniment for various hula groups including Na Lehua Melemele and the Hawai'i Cultural Foundation and Halau Pua Ali'i Ilima o Nuioka.

CHRIS - truly loves and deeply appreciates the beauty of Hawaiian culture.He has been playing the steel guitar for over 30 years and has performed at many events on the East Coast, including Joe's Pub (NYC) and with Vince Gill. His playing can be heard on CD's by Dan Bonis,Terrence Martin and Billy Rush(Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes). Chris also co-authored an instruction book,"The Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Vol.2" with Grammy winner Stacy Phillips which was published by Melbay Productions.

We have our iPod or CD ready for each event. Client must specify whether the event has a DJ, a sound system that can play burnt CD or plug our iPod into.

Dressing room for costume changes preferably near the performance area.

Note: As long as the venue allows fire, the Chief can perform Samoan fire knife dance indoors with ceilings as low as 10”.