Ohana Dance Group and Kūhai Hālau O Kaponookalani Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko

Ohana Dance Group and Kūhai Hālau O Kaponookalani Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko offers Hawaiian culture and hula activities that include performances and workshops in many community settings. Participants take part in events such as school and church performances, senior residence performances, fundraisers like the Flights to Freedom fundraising lūʻau and the River Cats AAPI Event-Fundraiser, and community presentations such as Ka Pilina and Ka Welo O Ka Hula, Our Tradition, Our Hula. The program also includes workshops and hoʻike such as Lei Lā‘ī Workshop, Raffia Workshop, Raffia Lei Po‘o workshop, Implement Workshop, O Pana‘ewa workshop with Kumu Kawahine, Meristem Learning workshop, and Ho‘ike events including “He Ali‘i Ka ‘Āina, He Kauwā Ke Kanaka” and “Nana A‘o Ho‘owale Nei I Ka Moana.”

• Ages: 5–18 years old

Ohana Dance Group is a non-profit, multi-generational hula kula where students of various ages, backgrounds, and abilities are exposed to Hawaiian culture and music through traditional hula. Students learn about Hawaiian culture, music, language, and dance, explore the mele (poetry) of songs, are taught the proper Hawaiian names for hula steps, and gradually learn to use implements that Hawaiians used to portray some of their songs. Students may also be exposed to dances of other cultural groups, and the organization states a goal to maintain a family-oriented atmosphere with a caring and compassionate approach in its activities.

The Ohana Dance Group’s mission is to share the stories and spirituality of the islands and its people through hula traditions and dances. The organization embraces community service and sharing as part of its philosophy of perpetuating the Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit, including education-based programs for children at Shriners and UC Davis Medical Center, Mustard Seed School, YMCA, schools, and community centers, as well as performing for veterans at the VA Medical Center and for those in assisted-living or nursing facilities. It presents community exhibitions such as Ka Pilina 2011, Ka Welo O Ka Hula 2012, Holomua I Ke Ao 2013, Ewe O Ka Hula 2014, Holomua I ke Ao 2014, Ewe O Ka Hula 2015, and Holomua I Ke Ao 2015.

The group has received grants from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC), including support for a Slack Key Guitar Concert in September 2008, a concert/ho‘ike in September 2009, and a three-year grant for 2015–2017 for cultural endeavors. Activities have included a Slack Key Guitar Concert with Kevin Brown and Patrick Landeza, a Kevin Brown Slack Key Guitar performance for students at Luther Burbank High School, a concert/ho‘ike featuring Faith Ako, Ka Palakiko Concert for Veterans, and the Kalani Pe‘a Concert at The Sophia. The organization also participates in festivals and events such as the K ūhai Hālau Hula Festival at Kaka‘o ‘Oiwi (HI), Moanikeala Hula Festival at Polynesian Cultural Center (HI), Kekelaokalani Festival in Lā‘ie (HI), Sacramento Aloha Festival, Aloha Festival, International Children’s Festival, Golden Empire International Festival, World Festival, Journey Around the World Festival, and Poly Fest.

Performances and appearances have taken place at venues and events including Good Day Sacramento, Crocker Art Museum Family Program and other Crocker Art Museum events, Sacramento Children’s Museum, Fairy Tale Town, Disney on Ice, halftime at UC Davis Basketball, Kaiser’s Pediatric Prom, VFW Centennial Celebration, and the APIQ Conference. The group also offers or participates in open houses and ho‘ike such as ODG Open House, Ohana Holiday Show, Holiday Ho‘ike, Annual Ho‘ike, and ODG Scholarship Awards Ceremony and Scholarship Awards. Additional activities include Summer Camp, ODG Haka Workshop, Library Shows and specific library events, School Lessons and Assemblies, Church Performances and Church Bazaar, Senior Lū‘au events, and performances at health care centers, community colleges, wineries, and various community celebrations and benefits.

Leadership information identifies Kumu Kaponookalani as the contact for information regarding classes at Ohana Dance Group. The group has a history of support from SMAC, including a three-year grant from 2015–2017 for cultural endeavors. A testimonial from Neil Abercrombie, Governor of the State of Hawai‘i (January 10, 2011), states that The Ohana Dance Group’s efforts to preserve the native Hawaiian culture through practices and educational awareness are highly commendable and thanks the group for enriching the lives of those in its community through traditional native Hawaiian performing arts.

Last updated June 25, 2026.