Kumu Hula Leinaala Jardin and her hālau (hula school) prepare for a special ho'ike (performance) on the island of Kauaʻi.

Born and raised on Kauaʻi, hula has always been a life-long journey for Leinaala. After studying hula with Auntie Lovey Apana on Kauaʻi and master Kumu Hula Ray Fonseca in Hilo, she started her own hālau. She began by teaching kupuna (elders) at a Kauaʻi senior center. Decades later, her hālau has over 200 students ranging from age three to age 89.

Her hālau participates in the Merrie Monarch Festival each year – the most prestigious hula competition in Hawai‘i.

Before every competition, Leinaala’s hālau does a water ritual, or “hi’uwai.” She explains that Hawaiians believe water gives life and has cleansing properties. Before any major event, her hālau cleanses so that when they take the stage, they’re ready to connect with the mele (songs) of old and express these stories in their purest form.

She describes to her students that they have to look at themselves like a school of fish, who stick together and journey together. The bond formed in the hālau is hard to forget or replace, and it requires the whole group delivering the same story.

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