Hula Lessons

Kulaniakea Kaleiki, affectionately known as “Lani Girl,” has been surrounded by hula for as long as she can remember. Her journey began at just two and a half years old when her Aunty Luka started teaching her the foundations of traditional Hawaiian hula even before she could walk. She grew up being told that one day she would take over the family’s hula studio, but for years she resisted that path. Over time, she slowly realized that hula was not only part of her heritage but also where she truly belonged. When she embraced her calling, her family welcomed her with open arms.

Lani was raised in Pāpākōlea, one of the Hawaiian homestead lands in Honolulu where residents must be at least fifty percent Native Hawaiian to own property. Growing up deeply connected to her culture shaped her identity and strengthened her love for Hawaiian traditions. At just four years old, her mother, who was a talented Hawaiian musician, called her onto the stage during a performance. As Lani danced, the audience began tossing money toward her, and from that moment she associated hula with joy, community, and purpose. In hula, it is most important to know where your hula lineage comes from, as it connects each dancer to their teachers, ancestors, and cultural roots.

By the age of nine, Lani had her first opportunity to share hula with the world when she traveled abroad for three months to perform. That experience inspired her to dedicate her life to teaching authentic Hawaiian hula and preserving its traditions. Today, she brings that same passion to her weekly hula classes at The Imperial Hawaii Resort, where she invites students to experience more than just the movements of the dance. She encourages them to connect deeply with the ocean, the mountains, and the spiritual feeling of hula. While many people are familiar only with the Hollywood version of hula, Lani is devoted to teaching its authentic traditions and meaning so that her students leave with a genuine understanding of its cultural importance.

For Lani, hula is much more than dance. It is a way of life, a celebration of language, culture, and history. Her journey to becoming a kumu hula, which means hula instructor, was a long and meaningful process known as ʻūniki. This traditional Hawaiian ceremony requires years of study and dedication. Lani began her ʻūniki training at seven years old and completed it when she was about fifteen or sixteen, spending nearly a decade deepening her knowledge and mastering her skills. Today, she shares that wisdom with her students and teaches the use of the three traditional hula implements: the pūʻili, the ʻuliʻuli, and the ipu.

Lani is a cherished member of The Imperial Hawaii Resort ‘ohana, and we are truly grateful for the passion, knowledge, and aloha spirit she brings to our community. Her weekly classes are more than a cultural activity. They are an invitation to connect with Hawai‘i on a deeper and more meaningful level. Through her teaching, Lani continues to preserve the traditions of hula while inspiring others to appreciate the beauty and richness of Hawaiian culture.