Hula is a hallowed - and healing - tradition for dancers from Fremont

"As the women built a thrumming rhythm from their drums and began to chant while others danced, the Hula Halau 'O Nalua and 'Ote'a 'Api School of Polynesian Dance seemed to teleport from the interior of an industrial park in Fremont to a Hawaiian island. It was a Wednesday evening, and a class of about 25 students had gathered in this halau, or hula school, to practice their dances. At the front of the room, some students played ipu heke, or double-gourd drums, and performed oli, an ancient Hawaiian chant. Facing them, a collective of women of diverse ages danced in rows, each gliding gracefully through their routines in seamless synchronicity, moving as one. Their hands and hips swayed like ocean waves, graceful, aligned and precise."

"They performed their moves in rows, cycling from back to front, where the school's instructor, Katrina deJesus, observed and gave instruction. At the back, a mural of a volcano looming across the horizon helped make the space feel even more Hawaiian - as did the collections of bright regalia, some with hibiscus prints, and dancing gear lining the walls."

"DeJesus is the daughter of the halau's founder, Ruth Nalua Manaois, known as Auntie Nalua, and the halau is a family enterprise - deJesus' son Noah also teaches drumming at the halau. Nearly 50 years ago, Manaois began offering instruction in both traditional Hawaiian hula and Tahitian dances. They practice two types of hula - Kahiko, or ancient hula, features chanting and traditional instruments like the ipu heke, while hula 'Auana, or modern hula, features more Western-influenced instruments like the guitar, ukulele or bass. In addition, the school teaches Ote'a, a Tahitian dance style characterized by faster rhythms and hip movements, in which dancers wear grass skirts."

The Hula Halau 'O Nalua and 'Ote'a 'Api School of Polynesian Dance in Fremont runs multigenerational classes where about 25 students practice hula and Tahitian dance. Dancers perform in synchronized rows while musicians play ipu heke and lead oli chants, supported by regalia and a volcanic mural. The halau operates as a family enterprise founded by Ruth Nalua Manaois, with her daughter Katrina deJesus and son Noah teaching. Instruction covers Kahiko (ancient hula), hula 'Auana (modern hula) and Tahitian Ote'a. The group tours internationally for performances and competitions, and participants engage to connect with heritage, technique and community.

Read at The Mercury News