We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaymee Keliʻi and Marrilynn Te’o and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaymee and Marrilynn, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote is in Samoan – Ole ala i le pule, o le tautua. The pathway to leadership is through service. As a Samoan, I was taught at a young age about respect, and the importance of service in our families, community and country. As we get older, we are presented with opportunities to serve the aforementioned, learning leadership and cultural values along the way. When in a leadership role, the cycle continues as we share the knowledge and our experiences with our youth.

Through service we are able to gain a different perspective and an appreciation for the many hands and roles that help keep an entity running. Sometimes, people are eager to have a title attached to their name without understanding the work and responsibilities that come with it. I think we’re better leaders and role models when we can be selfless leaders.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Jaymee: We are a hula hālau in the West Valley. Our school’s foundation is hula so majority of our lessons and activities branch from there. Our chants, songs and style of hula reflect he stylings of my own Kumu Hula.

It wasn’t easy starting off to be honest. We did not have intentions to teach hula on this level. Here in the states, being so far from the piko (source), hula is often mistaken for Tahitian dance (‘Ori Tahiti). My goal was to share hula as hula – not to be mistaken for other Pacific Island dances. Each Pacific Island nation has their own style of dance, and it was only right to showcase and name them properly. So why should hula be an exception? Although the Hollywood era in Hawaiʻi created worldwide exposure for hula, it also left us with the kuleana (responsibility) of breaking those decades old stereotypes of hula. Yes, it was a means of entertainment and an economic boost, but there’s so much more to hula than meets the eye.

We teach hula kahiko (ancient style of hula) and hula ʻauana (modern). Our students learn Hawaiian values, songs & chants, Hawaiian language, history, science, arts, and how to make their own adornments to name a few.
It’s tough sometimes sharing hula when many people think of ‘Ori Tahiti, but the spirit of aloha is strong, and people are realizing that hula is its own unique style. They’re interested and want to learn more. We’d love to share a bit of Hawaiʻi with them.

Hula is more than a dance. It is the expression of one’s innermost feelings. It is the sharing of our stories and our relationships with them through movement. Movement of our hands, our feet, our voices when we chant, our spirit. King David Kalākaua said “Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.” We share the heartbeat here in Arizona and throughout the world, in hopes of educating and perpetuating our native language, traditions and arts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sedona, Payson or Flagstaff in the summer or fall is great. We try to go during the Flagstaff10s rugby tournament to catch up with friends. If we’re in town and depending on the time of year, Tempe Beach Park for Aloha Festival for the food, entertainment, and vendors.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jaymee: Mahalo ke Akua for the blessing of hula. I want to mahalo all my Kumu Hula (hula teachers) throughout my lifetime – Nā Kumu Hula Michael & James Dela Cruz, Kumu Leato Savini, and nā Kumu Hula Lono Padilla & Keʻano Kaʻupu IV for their knowledge, wisdom and aloha, which helped mold me into the dancer I am today. My ʻohana who have been supportive of me, especially my late Auntie Bobbie. Mahalo to all our hula ʻohana and students past and present who continue to show us love and support.

Marrilynn: Shoutout to all our friends, family and supporters near and far for all your aloha and encouragement. Whether it was watching a show or at one of our endless fundraisers – we see you and mahalo you sincerely. Thank you to our kūpuna (elders) for paving the way for us and for their strength and guidance. Shoutout to the WSST crew for recommending us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuliaikaponohula/

Facebook: facebook.com/kuliaikaponohula

Other: linktr.ee/kuliaikaponohula

Image Credits
Mapuana Reed Photography John Keoni Bryant

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