Halau Hula O'Kahikilaulani

Halau Hula O'Kahikilaulani is a dance studio in Hilo, HI, dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional Hawaiian hula. Rooted in the ancient practice of the hālau, the studio offers instruction in hula as a sacred art form that integrates physical discipline, spiritual growth, and cultural knowledge. Students, known as haumana, train under the guidance of a kumu hula, who serves as teacher, mentor, and cultural leader. The studio emphasizes deep personal commitment, with training focused on movement, music, costume-making, and the ethical and spiritual principles of hula. Classes and performances are grounded in Hawaiian tradition and open to all, regardless of ancestry, fostering loyalty, service, and connection to cultural roots. The studio is part of the Ka`Imi Na`auao O Hawai`i Nei Institute, a nonprofit organization with a long history of cultural preservation and education across the Hawaiian Islands.

The studio’s lineage traces back to 1972, when Roselle Keli`ihonipua Bailey began teaching hula in her home on Kaua`i. She later founded the non-profit Ka`Imi Na`auao O Hawai`i Nei Institute in 1977, formally uniting her hula school under its umbrella. The Hula Alapa`i I Noho I Kuali`i group, established in Hilo in 1979 by her daughters Sharon Ioana and Pohakalani Bailey, became a foundational part of the institute’s network. Roselle Bailey, the studio’s kumu, has taught across the islands and internationally, promoting hula through performances, cultural exchanges, and documentary work. She is also recognized for her role in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and for conducting traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremonies, which are available to couples across the state.

Located at 29 Shipman St #203 in Hilo, the studio sits on a quiet street in the heart of the city, serving as a center for cultural practice and community connection. Though no nearby landmarks are listed, its presence in Hilo reflects a deep commitment to sustaining Hawaiian traditions through dance, education, and ceremony. With a perfect 5.00 rating and a growing legacy, Halau Hula O'Kahikilaulani stands as a vital institution in the preservation of hula in Hilo and beyond.