ABOUT KEKUAOKALANI DANCE ACADEMY
Kekuaokalani Dance Academy is a premier Polynesian dance academy dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Islands. Our academy offers a wide range of dance classes and cultural experiences for all ages. Join us and immerse yourself in the beauty and grace of Polynesian dance.
Our Story
Get to Know Us
We are the Kekuaokalani Ohana - Sam (Coach K), Joanna (Aunty Joanna), Teria & Tripler, Tara, Turi, Tiaria, Teahi, and Tavi. Originally from Kona and Laie, HI. While living in Kona, we taught Polynesian Dance at Kealakehe High School for over 15 years and also had a Tahitian dance group - Nonosina Hawaii, Kona. All members of our family have been dancing since elementary school and some have danced many years at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Sam’s grand aunt, Sally Wood-Naluai, was the first Kumu Hula of the Polynesian Cultural Center. We are passionate to share our love and knowledge of the Polynesian cultures through song and dance. Aunty Joanna and Tara, a mother/daughter team, are the founders and owners of Kekuaokalani Dance. They have both been very involved in Polynesian dancing since 2000. Tara has worked in Polynesian dance in Hawaii and the Saratoga Springs, Utah
area, where she was a dance instructor and supervisor. In the last three years, she taught to
children ages 5 to 18 years old. Joanna recently retired from teaching, where she taught
Polynesian dance and Business Education for 25 years. She and Tara have been students of
dance, taking lessons and teaching Polynesian dance for many years. They continue to dance
socially. Together, Joanna and Tara will provide a strong team to make Kekuaokalani Dance
a successful venture.