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Dance at Kalani

Kalani is my spirit home. - Cleo Parker Robinson, contemporary American dance leader

Dance at Kalani celebrates many cultures, in 5 studios with suspended wood floors, totaling 17,000 square feet of available movement space.

History

Kalani was founded by two dance professionals, Earnest Morgan and Richard Koob, MFA, former University of Hawaii instructors versed in modern, ballet, jazz, hula, and yoga. Since Kalani's beginning in 1975, many dance and music forms have been and continue to be celebrated in the annual and weekly ongoing events.

Kalani's 120 acre property was at one time a traditional ahupua'a, or land portion, that was cared for by an 'ohana, or extended family, who benefited from its stewardship. A halau, or Hawaiian cultural school, graced the ocean frontage of Kalani until 1900. This site, with its paths, lava walls and smooth stone floor, is preserved along with a heiau (temple) site and burial grounds.

In the 1870's, Hawaii's beloved monarch, Kalakaua, reinstated the practice of hula after years of suppression from the missionaries. A renaissance of Hawaiian culture has continued ever since, celebrated annually in Hilo's Merrie Monarch Festival, during which Kalani holds our Hula Heritage Week.

Hula at Kalani

©2000-2008 Kalani Honua, Inc. All rights reserved. Kalani Honua Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.