KEILANI MARTINEZ
Aloha!
My name is Keilani Martinez and I am a part of the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.
I started polynesian dancing at 4 years old. My first halau was Taimalietane Islands of Polynesia located in Santa Rosa, California where I learned how to dance Kapa Haka, ‘Ori Tahiti, and a little bit of hula. My parents got me into dancing so that I could get a better understanding and foundation of my Hawaiian culture.
When I was about 7 years old my parents decided that they wanted me to be more influenced by hula and less Tahitian dancing so they searched in the area and found the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.
To our surprise, the Kumu hula for the academy of Hawaiian arts was none other than, Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu! I feel so grateful that my family was willing and able to take me to Oakland on the weekend for keiki class every Sunday morning. I am so honored to learn from Kumu Mark, Auntie Maile, as well as my keiki teacher Auntie Kainani. I loved dancing in our annual Ho’ikes.
When keiki class was pau and all my hula brothers and sisters went home, I would often stay longer to attend the AHA music sessions where I got to sit, “talk story” with all the Aunties and Uncles and learn different Hawaiian songs on my ukulele.
I remember being in elementary school talking about what we love to do outside of school and no matter what, I would always say hula. I remember telling one of my friends at school that I danced hula and I told her “my hula teacher sang in ‘Lilo and Stitch’”
Dancing hula and having that commitment at a young age gave me appreciation and discipline for the hard work I would put into learning a dance.
Mahalo MOM ❤️ DAD!
During Covid I was able to learn the adult dances and more language through the iHula program the Academy offered. I felt really excited to be able to learn the adult dances and I couldn’t wait until the time would come that I could perform with them. When we returned to the halau after Covid I was able to begin dancing with the adults. I also got to help my two younger brothers and still see my friends on Sundays in the Keiki class.
Being able to do keiki class and “Beginners” class helped me improve on the techniques that Kumu Mark has created for each hula basic.
In the summer of 2023, I got to compete with my hula sisters as we all got to share a very exciting part of our hula journey! Through months of practice, we were all able to participate in the George Naʻope hula competition. This was my first hula competition for the Academy of Hawaiian arts.
I love coming to class for the challenge of learning a new dance and a new language. As a teenager in the adult class training for Merrie Monarch, I feel an even greater appreciation for Hula, in all that it has taught me about Aloha, Kuleana, and other important life skills that will surely help me on my journey through life.
I have learned how to work hard, take criticism, and use it to help me improve. I look forward to continuing the work of improving my dance abilities to become a more well rounded hula dancer.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of a strong supportive community and I give my Aloha and mahalos to everyone.
Aloha kakou!
