Ka Hale Hula O Pilialohaokalani O Hilo in Southern California

… A Lei to Embrace

Ka Hale Hula O Pilialohaokalani O Hilo is a traditional Hula Hālau founded in 1988 in Ventura County, California by Kumu Hula Pilialohaokalani Christiansen of Hilo, Hawai’i. In 2003, through a concert/hula workshop in Grass Valley, Kumu Hula Pilialoha Christiansen brought hula to the foothills of Northern California. Later, in 2005, the Hālau grew to embrace a third Hālau from Simi Valley.

Ka Hale Hula O Pilialohaokalani O Hilo includes performers of all ages, from 2 to 80.  As a Hālau, we have performed at hundreds of events throughout California.  The Hālau also participates in hula competitions in California, Seattle and Hawai’i.

The goals of the Hālau are to share, preserve, perpetuate and mālama our Hawaiian traditions, culture, history and language with much “ALOHA” through music, songs, and dances. Students learn values and traditions of a proud heritage.

    Kumu Hula Pilialohaokalani Christiansen

Pilialoha Christiansen has been teaching Hula in California for 25 years, since February 1988, with na Hālau (schools) in Oxnard, Camarillo, Simi Valley and Grass Valley.  Her mana’o on hula:

You should always dance with love in your heart.  I live to Hula and to protect the Hula.  This is a good feeling, very positive, very clean “ALOHA” approach to Hawaiian progress.

Who did you study under?
Kumu Hula Keko’olani Hussey Chartrand (‘Uniki in 1980)
Kumu Hula George Naope
Kumu Hula Etua Lopes

Total 35 years of training, 15 years with Kumu Keko’olani Hussey Chartrand and
20 years with various na Kumu in hula workshops and lectures including:

Kumu Hula Baker, Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho, Kumu Hula Nathan Napoka, Kumu Hula Sally Wood, Kumu Hula Kaha’i Topolinski, Kumu Hula Etua Lopes, Kumu Hula Leilani Sharpe Mendez, Kumu Hula Edith McKenzi, Kumu Hula Kepa Maly, Kumu Hula George Holoka’i, Kumu Hula Evalani Kalima, Kumu Hula Charles Kaupu, Kumu Hula Frank Hewitt, Kumu Hula Keala Ching, Kumu Hula Sonny Ching, Kumu Hula Chinky Mahoe, Kumu Hula Kanani Cadaoas , Kumu Hula Puanani Jung, Kumu Hula Clark Bolivar, Kumu Hula Sissy& Lilinoe Kaio, Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kanahele, Kumu Hula Natalie Ai Kamauu, Kumu Hula Clarice Nuhi, Kumu Hula Willie Pulawa.

Participation in Hula Competitions
1995 – 2013 Ia ‘Oe E Ka La Hula Competition; Pleasanton, California
1998 – 2013 E Hula Mau Hula Competition; Irvine & Long Beach, California
2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 – King Kamehameha Hula Competition; Honolulu, Hawaii
2002, 2007 – Mai Kahiki Mai Hula Competition, Tacoma, Washington
2002 – Queen Lili’uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
2003 – Hapa Haole Hula Rhythms Competition, Las Vegas, Nevada

Participation in Community Events
1998 – Toured Southern California Ho’olaulea from Northridge to San Diego, California
2001 – San Francisco Ho’olaulea
2002, 2010 – Participants in the Downtown Oxnard Christmas Parade
2003 – Recipient of Oxnard, CA Centennial Time Capsule to be reopened in 2053
2008, 2010 – Aloha Beach Festival, Ventura, California
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 –  Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai Hula Camp, Kumu Hula Association of Southern California, Malibu, California
2010 – Queen Lili’uokalani Concert for Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai, Kumu Hula Association of Southern California, Long Beach, California
2010 – Sound participant, Choir & Implements for “Soul Surfer”, a film about Bethany Hamilton.

Professional Organizations

• Member of Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai, Kumu Hula Association of Southern California
• Member of National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences Inc.
• Na Lei Lehua O Ka Lani
• President of Nemisis Bowling League
• Program Coordinator of Aloha Beach Festival

Contact us for more information about show and event booking or classes.