Hula for New Moms and Moms to be

South San Francisco, CA – The Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center in South San Francisco is pleased to announce a new weekly class: HULA FOR NEW MOMS AND MOMS-TO-BE every Friday at 9:00am. Our first class will begin on Friday, February 8, 2008 and will include basic hula movements, Hawaiian poetry and history. This is a great opportunity for moms and our “newest hula dancers” to get active in a fun and nurturing family environment -- and learn a bit about Hawaiian culture at the same time.

Kawika Alfiche, Kumu Hula of Halau o Keikiali`i and Director of the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center, states, “We are excited to offer this new class, as we support the families in our community and hope moms and moms-to-be will use this opportunity to acquaint/re-acquaint themselves and their children with the Hawaiian culture.”

This one-hour class costs only $5 per class and will take place every Friday at the Hawaiian Cultural Center at 423 Baden Avenue in South San Francisco. Mom’s can dance with a baby carrier (harness) or baby can just sleep while mom does all of the work. Toddlers can dance with or next to mom.

The Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center was established in 2000 with the mission of preserving and perpetuating all things Hawaiian. The Center offers a variety of one-day and ongoing workshops/classes and events throughout the year. For more information on this class and/or others at the Center, please call 650.588.1091, visit our website at www.apop.net, or e-mail your request to info@apop.net

Other Classes at the Center include:

Ukulele Class (4 sessions) $35.00
Saturdays: February 2, 9, 16, 23 - 10-11am

Lei Class - $30.00
Saturday: February 9 - 10-12pm

Hula Fundamentals - $25.00
Saturday: February 16 - 10-12pm
Men & Women ages 13 and over

Hula class for Keiki (children) - $15.00
Saturday: February 2 – 10-11am
Children ages 5-12 years old

Hula Class for Seniors (or all ages over 18) - $5 per class
Every Monday 9-10am
Fun class for seniors or those available on Monday mornings to join in.

Hawaiian Cultural Center
423 Baden Ave
South SAn Francisco, CA 94080

ARTIST’S RESUME
Ke Kumu - The Teacher
Kumu Hula (teacher) Kāwika Keikiali'ihiwahiwa Alfiche has been teaching hula and other aspects of Hawaiian culture for over 14 years and has been a student of the Hawaiian culture all of his life. Kāwika is the Kumu Hula for Hālau Hula (dance group) Hālau 'o Keikiali'i, and is the Director for the Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia (APOP) Hawaiian Cultural Center. With a mission to preserve and perpetuate all things Hawaiian, Kāwika spends his life learning, teaching and sharing his culture through the hula and other cultural artforms.
Kawika has had impeccable training from his Kumu (teachers) and continues his learning with his Kumu and other well known mentors. His first Kumu Hula was Tiare Maka-Olanolan Clifford of Hanalei, Kaua`i. After her passing in 1992, Kumu Kawika became haumana (student) of Kumu Hula Harriet Kahalepoli Keahilihau-Spalding of Keaukaha, Hawai`i who opened halau with Kumu Kawika in 1994. Aunty Harriet’s kumu was her grandmother, Mary Ahi`eha Kekuewa, who was affectionately known as Mama Fuji’i. In 1996, Aunty Harriet encouraged Kawika to learn from Kumu Hula Rae Kahikilaulani Fonseca of Hilo, Hawai`i – an `uniki (graduate) of Uncle George Lanakilakekiahiali`i Na`ope, a hula master and treasure of Hawai’i. In March 2007, Kumu Kāwika was a part of Kumu Rae’s first `uniki (tradional acknowledgement) to become a Kumu Hula. Today, Kumu Kawika continues to learn from Kumu Rae and other mentors, including Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua of Anahola, Kaua`i and Kumu Hula Hokulani Holt-Padilla of Wailuku, Maui.
In late 2005, Kumu Kawika released his very own CD entitled “Nalei”, which took 3rd place in the Traditional Hawaiian Music Category at the Hawaiian Music Awards. The album includes some traditional songs, but most are original compositions of Kumu Kawika.
Ka Hālau - The Group
Hālau 'o Keikiali'i is a Hawaiian Cultural Group based in South San Francisco. Since 1994, our goal has been to educate the general public about the Hawaiian Culture, its traditional customs, values and protocols. Besides having regularly scheduled classes, we strive to help perpetuate the rich culture of the Hawaiian people through presentations to the general public throughout the year, including educational workshops, performances and other cultural events.
Our primary focus is on cultural traditions, including hula kahiko (ancient dance), hula `auana (modern dance), oli (chant), mele (traditional songs), himeni (modern songs), nā mea hula (arts, crafts, implements), lole hula (hula attire), 'ôlelo (language), and mo'olelo (stories).
The halau has stages various hula productions that is both entertaining and educational. Kumu Kawika along with the halau have performed along side well known entertainers of Hawai`i such as: The Cazimero Brothers, Makaha Sons, Hapa, Nathan Aweau, Herb Ohta Jr., Willie K., Melveen Leed and more. The halau has also been a part of: SF Aloha Festival, Stern Grove Festival, SF Ethnic Dance Festival, Hawaiian Music Awards, `Aha Hula o Halauaola in Maui & Hilo, Arizona Aloha Festival, Native American Recognition Day-Arizona and more.
Our group is comprised of both men and women, young and old, ranging from 5 to 75 years of age. We present theatre productions highlighting hula in its many aspects. Following tradition, we share what we learn with different communities so that others too can benefit from a better understanding and appreciation of the old ways of Hawai'i. It is within the stories told in the mele, with its morals and values, that people can truly be enriched in their personal lives. We can all benefit from the lessons taught. We hope to reach people far and wide, touching everyone who may or may not be exposed to the Hawaiian culture and share with them in the spirit of aloha.

This release was published on openPR.