WELINA MAI
Welcome to our hālau!
Our
Mission
Who we are
ʻO kā mākou kuleana ka hoʻohanohano a me ka hoʻomau ʻana i nā kuʻuna kapu o ka hula a me ke ʻano Hawaiʻi ma o ke aʻo ʻoi kelakela, ka hoʻohanohano, a me ke aloha Ke hoʻoikaika nei mākou e hoʻokumu i ka pilina o kā mākou mau haumāna me ka naʻauao o nā kūpuna a me ka nani o ka hula. Ma ka hoʻokaʻana ʻana i kēia mau waiwai, e hoʻoulu ana mākou i ka launa a me ke ala kūpono no nā hanauna e hiki mai ana.
Our mission is to honor and perpetuate the sacred traditions of hula and Hawaiian culture through discipline, respect, and aloha. We strive to connect our haumāna to the wisdom of our ancestors and the beauty of hula. By sharing these values, we inspire harmony and a meaningful path for future generations.
Upcoming Events
Hālau Open Enrollment 2026Sat, Feb 28St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church
Nā Kumu Joshua & Jesica Kapika
Our Kumu
Joshua Noʻeau Konapiliahi Kapika and Jesica Kuʻuleinani Kula Kapika are dedicated kumu hula, cultural practitioners, and educators whose combined journeys reflect a deep commitment to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian language, music, and traditional arts. Kumu Jesica’s hula training was shaped under the guidance of respected kumu including Kumu Hōkūlani and Larry DeRego of Hālau Hula O Hōkūlani, and Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta De Vera of Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu. She further strengthened her cultural foundation through formal study of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with educators such as Joan S. Lindsey, Kumu Kamaile at Pearl City High School, and Kumu Hula Hauoli Akaka and Kumu Manu Boyd at the Kamehameha Schools. Her training also extends into the traditional arts that support hula practice, including kahiko costume making and printing under ʻAnakē Namahana and lei making with ʻAnakē Danette “Momi” Cruz-Losano, allowing her to guide students with a holistic and culturally grounded approach.
Kumu Josh’s cultural formation began early through Nā Mea Hawaiʻi studies with Kumu Blossom Sturm at Waialua Elementary School. He deepened his knowledge of hula, oli, and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with Kumu Reni ʻAʻiʻaʻi Bello at Waialua High and Intermediate School and refined his vocal and performance skills under Kumu Kane at Leeward Community College. A pivotal part of his journey includes specialized instruction with Kumu Hula Kuʻualohanui Kauliʻa of Nā Lei Hoʻoheno Aloha at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Children’s Center, where he learned specific hula, mele, and oli dedicated to honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani. He also carries the teachings of Aunty Malia Craver in the practice of hoʻoponopono, shaping his leadership and teaching style with humility, reconciliation, and aloha.
Together, Kumu Jesica and Kumu Josh are known for fostering learning environments rooted in respect, discipline, and cultural authenticity. Their shared philosophy emphasizes not only technical excellence in hula and music, but also linguistic understanding, craftsmanship, and the values that sustain Hawaiian traditions. Through mentorship and community engagement, they strive to nurture future generations of haumāna, ensuring that hula remains a vibrant, living expression of Hawaiʻi’s heritage and identity.
A strong connection to their faith and culture initially brought them together, and Kumu Josh and Kumu Jesica were married in November 2019. They completed their ʻuniki (hula graduation) through Kumu Hula Dennis Imamura in June 2026 after which our hālau was formally established.