Welina mai, welcome.
Ke 'Olu Makani
"The gentle winds"
Our Mission
Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa was established by Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel in 1990. Ke ‘Olu Makani, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel and her haumāna in 2023 to further perpetuate the mission that originated in the establishment of Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa. The mission of Ke ‘Olu Makani and Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa is to perpetuate and strengthen our Hawaiian culture through hula, music, arts, history, and cultural practices.
Ke ‘Olu Makani seeks opportunities to sponsor activities that align with our mission. Most recently we were awarded a grant from the Rotary Club of South Hilo to provide experiential hula classes to underserved or at-risk communities. Please contact us via email by clicking the envelope icon at the bottom of this page if you’re interested in supporting our efforts.
Meleana Manuel – Kumu Hula & Ke ‘Olu Makani Founder
Hālau Ke 'Olu Makani O Mauna Loa
Our hālau is based in Kīlauea, Hawai’i with branches in Hilo, Honolulu, California, & Japan. We share hula and Hawaiian culture globally including in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, Japan, and Tahiti. The haumāna of Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa have competed in keiki, kāne, wahine, and kūpuna competitions domestically and internationally. Interested in joining us? Please see our open enrollment schedule and class offerings below.
Classes and Enrollment
Below are our current class offerings:
- Pāpā Liko (kaikamahine and keikikāne) ages 6-11
- Pāpa Lehua & Koa (wahine and kāne) ages 12-54
- Pāpā ‘Ahinahina (kūpuna wahine and kūpuna kāne) ages 55+
- Pāpā Kilohana (advanced wahine and kāne, invite only) ages 12-54
Enrollment opens twice yearly for new students in January and August. Classes range from 1-2 times weekly dependent on your class/category. Please click below to fill out the student interest form for more information.
You may see Kumu Meleana Manuel assisted by nā alaka’i Kapua (Jessica),
Malulani (Emma), Liliamakamae (Lindsay),
Kiele (Talie) and nā paepae Leimomi and Ku’ulei (Karly)
Haumāna (Student) Interest Form
Interested in joining us for open enrollment? Click the link below to complete a student interest form at any time of the year. We'll get in touch when open enrollment begins.