Kauhane Polynesian Dance School and Performance Group

The Kauhane Performance Group is renowned for it's fabulous shows featuring award-winning Polynesian dancers. The Kauhane Polynesian Dance School is proud to offer classes in Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori, Samoan, and other Polynesian island dance, with the main focus of teaching in Hawaiian. Teaching is in both kahiko (ancient) and 'auana (modern) styles of dance. Students learn language, culture, and history as an integral part of their dance lessons.
Come experience this beautiful dance form which has been practiced for hundreds of years throughout the Pacific Islands.

Contact Information:
Kumu Paddy Kauhane
Halau Hula Ka’Uhane O Ka Pakipika
The Spirit of the Pacific Cultural Society
Polynesian Dance School and Performance Group
Mailing address: 21517-123rd Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 4C1
Tel: 604-466-0763 Fax: 604-466-0793
Email: bookings@hulaspirit.com

Our Kumu

Paddy Wailanikaleihulumamo Kauhane was born in Honolulu, Oahu, and started dancing as a very young child. "My brother, sister and I were extremely fortunate to have grown up with our Uncle, Eddie Kahea Beckley, who taught us that being Hawaiian was special. It was through him that we fostered our love of our culture. Music, dance, talking story, lessons in history, food, and language, were a part of our lives. We didn’t fully appreciate how valuable his lessons were until he passed away. We consider it our kuleana (responsibility) to carry on the traditions that he cared so much to share with us. I share those same lessons and traditions with the students in my school." Aunty Paddy

After moving to Canada, Paddy continued her lessons in dance with Kalaya Nelson, a former student of Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake. Aunty Kalaya today continues to teach in her school in Port Coquitlam, BC.

Paddy currently studies under Blaine Kamalani Kia, Kumu Hula and Director of the Ka Laua'e Foundation. Kumu Kamalani gifted Paddy with her Hawaiian name, Wailanikaleihulumamo, which means "heavenly waters of the adorned Honeycreeper".

Paddy and students of the halua continue to foster their learning by attending workshops in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and of course, Hawai'i, where they are honoured to learn from the most renowned hula and language masters today.

Since its inception in 1999, Halau Hula Ka'Uhane O Ka Pakipika has grown to nearly 150 haumana (students), ranging in age from 2.5 years to 70+, and is the largest Polynesian dance school in Canada. The school is the proud recipient of the Top Polynesian Group award from the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival for many years. The school performs regularly throughout the year at private and commercial venues and continues to travel and learn throughout Canada and the US, including Hawaii. The students are proud to have entertained crowds at the Pacific National Exhibition (Vancouver), Germaine’s Luau (Oahu, Hawaii), Sheraton Waikiki (Oahu, Hawaii) and many, many more community and private events.
Classes are offered for beginner to advanced levels, and for ages preschool to adult. See the Class Schedule for details.

Our Kumu’s Kumu

Born in Honolulu, Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia has studied under some of the most respected and disciplined kumu hulas: John Keoni Martin, Darrell Lupenui, and John Kaimikaua. Seeing "The stirring of emotions and incredible joy in the face of a dedicated haumana performing the Hawaiian poetry of dance", is what inspires him. Kumu Kamalani currently receives guidance in hula, and spirituality, from his studies under Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapu Hewett, of whom he credits with teaching him the meaning of compassion. He humbly attributes his success as a kumu hula to knowing his place in life.

Being successful "requires a balance of knowing my place in life, not only as a kumu, but also as a father, brother, uncle, husband, and son. I am a human being first, before any label or title is placed upon me, before I take on any another role. Knowing my place in all aspects of my life allows me to be myself, without ever having to give up my identity."

Senior Alaka’i

Shannon Watkins, Alaka’i, was born and raised in Port Moody, B.C. She began Polynesian dancing at the age of 5 with Kalaya Nelson. In addition to Polynesian, Shannon has also trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Modern and Voice. But it is Polynesian that continues to be Shannon’s passion. Shannon has received numerous awards in competition and was named Top Tahitian Dancer at the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival in 2003, 2004 & 2006.

Since she has been dancing with Aunty Paddy, Shannon has had the opportunity to take classes from such hula masters as Blaine Kia, Robert Cazimero, Manu Boyd, Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, Chinky Mahoe, Sonny Ching, Keali'i Ceballos, Vicky Holt Takamine, Pi'ilani Smith, Leialoha Amina, Hirohiti Tematahotoa, Maelia Lobenstein-Carter, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt and Uncle George Holokai

Senior Alaka’i

Melanie Kulana Hoo-Fatt has been alaka'i for Halau Hula Ka'Uhane o ka Pakipika during the last 3 years of her 11 year dancing career. Being involved in hula has brought a new love of life and self that she translates through her role as assistant to the other haumana (students) in the school. She has won several awards in local BC Polynesian dance competitions and has won the honour of Top kahiko dancer on more then one occasion. She participates in many hula workshops and has had the privilege of learning from well-known Kumu Hula such as Blaine Kamalani Kia, Keala Ching, Maelia Lobenstein-Carter, Robert Cazimero and Sonny Ching just to name a few.

Although a busy Optometrist by day, her love of hula dedicates her to not only strive to be a proficient dancer but also a student of hula as a way of life.

Maori

Robyn Batycki Chambers began dancing with Kalaya Nilson at 2 ½ years old in order to keep up with her two big sisters and her mom. Her dance training includes Hawaiian, Tahitian, Spanish, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Square and Round Dancing and Clogging. Her first love, however, is Maori. Her inspiration was the Mauriora Entertainers and she wishes that there were more Maori resources and workshops in Canada. Robyn loves how dancing with the Kauhane School has enabled her to rekindle ties from her childhood as well as create new ties for her own children.