The Academy’s hula class attended the 10th Annual Lei O Lanikuhonua Hula Festival on Feb. 26 at the beautiful Ko Olina on the west side of Oahu.

High school students from around the island were treated to a fun-filled day of Hawaiian language and culture as they were blessed with the opportunity to learn hula from some  of Hawaii’s notable kumu hula.

Hula instructor, kumu Jordan Asing, said, “I was delighted to hear many of my hula confidants say that my students were not only well-trained but also very respectful to the kumu, haumana and the aina as well. We were delighted to see Suzan Avina, an Academy alumna, who is a strong supporter of the Hawaiian culture. Her love and devotion to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture is marvelous.”

The Lei O Lanikuhonua Festival reaches out to students hoping that the experience impacts students in their hearts and lives in the future.

Senior Shadee Edralin said, “This was my last year attending the hula festival and over  the past four years, the festival has grown in popularity and importance. There are no prizes or competing hula halau in this hula festival. It is a hula festival unlike any other, where hula masters come together to share their knowledge and excite students to preserve hula and all things Hawaiian.”

Asing complimented his students, saying “a job well done to our girls that carried out their name as Na Wahine Waipahe, ‘the gentle-ladies,’ with elegance and grace.”