About us

OUR KULEANA OR MISSION

"BRINGING TOGETHER DANCER, SPIRIT, AND CULTURE TO STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTION AND MEANING OF THE DANCE"

Our Hālau provides more than instruction in Polynesian dance; we cultivate a meaningful connection among the dancer, the spirit, and the cultures represented. Our purpose is to honor and convey the cultural significance of the dances of Hawai‘i, Tahiti, and New Zealand.

We welcome all who share a sincere respect for Hawaiian, Tahitian, and New Zealand cultures. As our Hālau grows, we remain dedicated to deepening our knowledge, honoring these traditions with integrity, and inspiring future generations of dancers to carry them forward with respect and understanding.

Our Kumu

Brenda "Puahi" Malick

Puahi has taught Hula and Tahitian dance and culture in the Temecula Valley since 1995. What began as lessons in her home grew into a thriving program and eventually moved to a Temecula studio.

Puahi began dancing at age ten and has remained committed to deepening her knowledge of dance and culture. Her relationship with Kumu Hula Rich Pedrina of Hālau Hula ‘O Nāpunaheleonāpua has strengthened her understanding of Hawaiian culture and guided her in honoring the style and traditions of Hula Kahiko.

Puahi also maintains relationships with cultural practitioners from Tahiti and New Zealand, broadening her knowledge of their cultures and dance traditions while enriching the instruction she shares with her students.

Through these cultural relationships, Puahi’s dancers gain meaningful exposure to the traditions of Hawai‘i, Tahiti, and New Zealand while developing a deeper understanding of the cultural significance behind each dance.

Puahi is honored to represent and share the rich dance traditions of Hawai‘i, Tahiti, and New Zealand.

OUR OHANA

“Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people”
- King David Kalākaua

Our ‘ohana has grown and flourished in the Temecula Valley through a steadfast commitment to cultural education and the preservation of Hula and Tahitian dance traditions.

Over the years, our haumana have refined their skills and deepened their understanding of Polynesian dance and culture by participating in huakaʻi under the direction of Kumu Rich Pedrina of Hālau Hula ‘O Nāpunaheleonāpua. Through these journeys to Hawaiʻi, our dancers receive immersive, hands-on instruction and connect directly with the traditions, stories, historical sites of the places they visit giving them a deeper connection to the Hula they learn.

Our dancers have also showcased their dedication and artistry in both group and solo divisions at Tahitian dance competitions throughout Southern California.  Puahiʻs dancers have earned numerous honors, including first-, second-, and third place finishes in solo competitions, as well as a first-place award in group competition.