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 chapter in Camarillo in preserving Hawaiian culture and language, sharing Aloha, and increasing awareness of Hawai’i’s people and history.
In 2024, the hālau became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, ID# 33-2139856.
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.
Alaka'i
Erin Puamana Dixon, Cindy Waipuna Kelley, and Bonnie Kahealani Hertlein-Swetman conduct class during regular practice sessions. All three Alaka'i have been with the Grass Valley Chapter of Ka Hale Hula 'O Pilialohaokalani O Hilo for over two decades. They have been given the kuleana of upholding hālau protocol, Kumu’s hula legacy, and respect for traditional Hawaiian hula.
For more information about classes and practice sessions, click here.
