Celebrating a half century. A private reception was held at Koloa Landing Resort and Spa Nov. 15 to honor Kumu Hula Kaleinani Hayakawa. For the last 50 years, Kaleinani has shared her love of hula, Kauai and Hawaiian culture all
Celebrating a half century.
A private reception was held at Koloa Landing Resort and Spa Nov. 15 to honor Kumu Hula Kaleinani Hayakawa. For the last 50 years, Kaleinani has shared her love of hula, Kauai and Hawaiian culture all over Japan, where she continues to encourage tourism for the Garden Isle and is instrumental in the ever growing interest of hula there.
“We are so pleased to host Kumu Hula Kaleinani Hayakawa and celebrate her accomplishments, love for hula and the Garden Island of Kauai,” said Ike Cockett, general manager for Koloa Landing.
Kaleinani has a long-standing relationship with Kauai, the island’s Hula Halau and Kumu Hula, as well as many public figures.
In 1956, Ms. Kazuko “Kaleinani” Hayakawa, who trained as a ballet dancer in Japan, came to Hawaii to learn about a Hawaiian dance called hula. Her teacher was renowned Kumu Hula Louise and Luka Kaleiiki of Papakolea on Oahu.
Kaleinani became Kumu Hula of Joban Dance Academy, which officially opened in 1964, where hundreds of hula girls were taught to perform at Joban Hawaiian Center (name changed to Spa Resort Hawaiians in 1990). In 1976, Hayakawa opened Japan’s first hula school in various areas in Tokyo and nearby regions.
In the late 70s, Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi honored and recognized her for her work as teacher of hula and Hawaiian culture and arts in Japan.
