Ka Hale Hula O Pilialohaokalani O Hilo is a traditional hālau hula established in 1988 by Kumu Hula Pilialoha Christiansen in Ventura County, California.
In 2003, Kumu Hula Pilialoha was invited to conduct the first of what was to become many hula workshops in Grass Valley. A few years later, the Grass Valley dancers committed to becoming a sister hālau to Kumu Pilialoha’s southern California hālau.
The Grass Valley hālau participates in hula competitions in California, Washington, and Hawai'i, as well as local community and private events.
It joins its sister hālau in Southern California in its dedication to the preservation of Hawaiian culture and language, sharing Aloha, and increasing awareness of Hawai’i’s people and history.
Kumu Hula Pilialohaokalani Christiansen
Pilialoha Christiansen, who was born and raised in Hilo, Hawai’i, has nā hālau (schools) in Southern California 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.
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
1st place, George Na'ope Hula Festival, July 2016.
Kumu Alaka’i
Dale Ku’umomialoha Deacon conducts class during regular practice sessions. Ms. Deacon, whose family has roots on the island of Hawa’i, began with Kumu Pilialoha in 2003. She was appointed by Kumu to the position of Kumu Alaka’i (leader) after being with the hālau for two years, a role she continues to hold.
Under the guidance of Kumu Pilialoha, she and her assisting Alaka’i, Cindy Waipuna Kelley, Erin Puamana Dixon, and Bonnie Kahealani Hertlein-Swetman, uphold hālau protocol, Kumu’s hula legacy, and respect for traditional Hawaiian hula.
For more information about classes and practice sessions, click here.
