Kumu Hula Sylvia Puananiha`aheo Edgar

Hula Halau O Puananiha`aheo is a State and Federal Non-Profit Organization, 501 (c) (3), hula school based out of Ventura, California. The primary objectives and purpose of this halau is to maintain the foundation of the hula; to preserve and enhance the Hawaiian culture and its people; to perpetuate the hula in unity; to educate others of the Hawaiian culture through dance classes, music, arts and crafts and through public performances of hula shows and festivals; and to develop professionalism and responsibility in the hula so that knowledge of the hula will flourish.

The halau has been in existence for over 9 years. There are currently 75 haumana (students) who participate in the school and, who are currently learning the hula, oli, Hawaiian history, lei making and the art of hula implements.

Hula Halau O Puananiha`aheo past performances include:

1998 Henson’s Acoustic Festival in Camarillo
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, & 2004 Whale Festival in Malibu
1999, 2000, & 2001 City of Oxnard’s Chalk Festival
1999 & 2000 Ojai Valley Nights
2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, & 2007 E Hula Mau Hula & Chant Competition
2001 `Ale`a Concert in Hermosa Beach
2001 Kuikahi at Knott’s Berry Farm
2003 1st Ho`ike with Uncle George Kahumoku, Jr. & Daniel Ho in Camarillo
2004 “He Inoa No Kalakaua” Concert with Kumu Hula Association in Torrance
2006 “He Lei No Kapi`olani” Concert with Kumu Hula Association in Torrance
January 2006, Ho`ike with Daniel Ho, Herb Ohta, Jr., & Keoki Kahumoku in Ventura
October 2006, Concert with Daniel Ho, Herb Ohta, Jr., & Keoki Kahumoku in Ventura
March 3, 2007, The Mark Twain 2007 Awards with Daniel Ho at Universal Studios
March 31, 2007, FYE Performance with Daniel Ho, Torrance
May 12, 2007, South Bay Orchestra Performance with Daniel Ho, Torrance
May 19, 2007,
Japan American Theater Performance with Daniel Ho, Los Angeles
June 8, 2007, “Aloha `Oe” Music Video with Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, Los Angeles
August 18, 2007,
Border’s Performance with Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, Torrance
August 19, 2007, Border’s Performance with Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, Santa Barbara

Hula Halau O Puananiha`aheo has participated in many other charity shows and various Polynesian festivals, such as the 1999 Pacific Islander Festival in Wilmington, CA and, the 1999 2005 & 2006 Alondra Park Ho`olaule`a in Lawndale, CA.

Kumu Sylvia is a member of Kulia I Ka Punawai, Southern California Kumu Hula Association for over 9 years. Also, Kumu Sylvia has recorded her 1st CD with Kulia I Ka Punawai, “Legacy Hula Volume 1, Kalakaua” (released September 2006) and her 2nd CD “Legacy Hula Volume 2, Kapi`olani” (released September 2007).

Kumu Sylvia not only teaches the hula to her haumana, she also plays the 8 string tenor Kamaka ukulele and sings the lead on vocals. Kumu’s husband, Lowell, is her right-hand man and musician. Also, Kumu’s daughter, Nani, is one of her wahine haumana. This is a very “`ohana style” halau.

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What is...

Halau
Long house, as for canoes or hula instructions, meeting house.

My definition: It's a place where my haumana (students) gather to learn the hula. It's a classroom with a teacher. It's a place to learn, to grow and develop friendship. It's a place where we can congregate to learn the Hawaiian tradition that has existed for centuries. It's like being a part of a family. In fact, it's even being a part of a much larger global community.

Haumana
Student, pupil, apprentice, recruit, disciple.

My definition: It's a person open to learning. It's a person seeking answers. It's a person who is willing to make a commitment to gain knowledge by putting aside their own wants, needs and personal beliefs for the good of a group. It's a person who is open to receive positive praises or positive critiques from the Kumu while at the same time biting their own lips and not criticizing others to their faces or behind their backs. It's someone who cares about themselves and others around them and willing to accept others for who they are, their differences, and their skill levels.

Kumu Hula
Hula Teacher

My definition: It's a person who is a leader. It's a person who has to set a good example. It's a person who has to prepare and be ready to teach their students. It's a person who carries a heavy load to teach, counsel, continue to learn, balance family life, not step on toes, keep spirits up, and show the way. It's also someone who continually puts the good of the group first and not the individual person. Also, it's someone who spends many hours during the week preparing for every hour taught in the classroom. In essence, it's someone who must see the big picture that is in front of them and what the future will look like.

What is expected of the Haumana?
I look for each student to attend hula classes once a week, unless class is canceled or a student needs to be absent from class. I look for the student to be courteous, respectful, and caring to all those around them. I look for the students to come to class ready to learn and dance. I look for the students to be prepared and to be able to remember their hulas. The only way to accomplish this is to practice daily for a minimum of one hour. (These hulas are not something to cram for a day before class or day before a performance). It must be a part of your daily life and can only truly be felt in your heart and performed from your heart. I look for the student to come into the halau with a happy, positive attitude. (Check your egos at the door). I am not looking for the perfect haumana. I'm looking for a haumanas who has the love, desire, and patience to learn the hula and the Hawaiian culture and also, somebody who wants to learn how to balance all aspect of their life including hula. This is a journey.

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