Volcano Art Center’s Hula Arts at Kīlauea performance series continues on Saturday, April 12, with a hula kahiko performance featuring Kumu Lehua Bray hālau o Maunalei. The performance is part of a year-round series sponsored by the Volcano Art Center. Hula hālau from across Hawai‘i are invited to perform each month. The hour-long performance begins at 10:30am at the kahua hula (platform) in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
Lelehua Maunahina Bray was born in Kealakekua, Hawai’i, named after her great-grandmother, Lydia Maunahina Dusson -Bray, a composer, entertainer, and hula exponent she was destined to be a part of hula. Lelehua ‘ūniki graduated in 2001 from Kumu Hula Michael Pili Pang and taught within his school for five years before taking the reins of her own hālau in 2009. “My contribution to my community is to share Hula as I have been taught from my lineage.
Hālau Maunalei is located in Kealakekua and shares hula with students from Keiki to Kūpuna. The Hālau continues to participate in many community events throughout Kailua-Kona and Hawaii Island!
Kumu Hula Lelehua’s mission has always been to teach others to love and embrace the traditions and the art of hula passed down to her!
The presentation is presented authentically in an outdoor setting, rain or shine without electronic amplification. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats, and to arrive early as parking at the Visitor’s Center is limited, additional parking is available at the Steam Vents parking lot
The Volcano Art Center is a non-profit art and educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts. Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org
Mahalo!
Volcano Art Center’s Hula Arts at Kīlauea performance series continues on Saturday, June 14th with a hula kahiko performance featuring Hālau Kauluola under the direction of Kumu Hula Noʻeau and Pōlanimakamae Kahakalau-Kalima. The performance begins at 10:30am in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. National Park entrance fees apply.
These free events are supported by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Donations are welcome to continue future programs. The Volcano Art Center is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts. Visit www.volcanoartcenter.orgor call 967-8222 for more information.
Hula Kahiko: Featuring Kumu hula Moses Kahoʻokele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani on September 13, 2025.
These free events are supported in part by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
Donations are welcome to continue future programs. The Volcano Art Center is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
Hula Kahiko: Unuokeahi with kumu hula Stacey Kapuaikapoliopele Kaʻauʻa
Saturday, October 11th | 10:30am
Volcano Art Center’s Hula Arts at Kīlauea performance series resumes on Saturday, October 11th, with a presentation by Unuokeahi under the direction of kumu hula Stacey Kapuaikapoliopele Kaʻauʻa. The performance begins at 10:30am, and takes place in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
On the winter solstice of 2016, Unuokeahi opened her doors under the tutelage of kumu hula Kapua Kaʻauʻa, affectionately known as Kumu ʻAuʻa. ʻAuʻa underwent the ʻūniki rites in December 2014, led by her kumu Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō of Unukupukupu. It is with this that she was bestowed the title of kumu hula. The Unuokeahi traditions stem from the Kanakaʻole hula ʻaihaʻa traditions in Hilo.
Hālau Unuokeahi is made up of culturally sustainable members from various communities. Students who arrived at the hālau come to learn traditional and cultural leadership through moʻolelo, ritual, and environmental sustainability. Many of the students of Unuokeahi have reached or are reaching higher academic degrees, an essential piece for the journey of the hālau.
Along with Hālau Unuokeahi comes the Unuiti Hula Ensemble program from Ka ʻUmeke Kaʻeo Charter school in Keaukaha. Started by her kumu, Taupōuri, in the early 2000’s, Kumu ʻAuʻa continues this program throughout all 11-grade levels. Hula ʻaihaʻa, moʻolelo, and ritual are taught through the Hawaiian language medium. It is a rigorous program, requiring students to create, and manifest their hula world in every aspect. From making implements, gathering, fabrication, and ‘āina projects, to haku hula, these core learning accouterments are required of every student. Paired with academics, it makes it for a dynamic program.
This performance is part of a year-round series sponsored by the Volcano Art Center (VAC). VAC is pleased to resume the series which invites hula hālau from across Hawaiʻi to perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform), located near the VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats.
These family friendly, free events are supported in part by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. if you, your ‘ohana or business would like to support these wonderful programs please contact Emily Weiss at the Volcano Art Center. The Volcano Art Center is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts. 