Teaching

Recordings

Performance

Studio

Photos

Videos

Media

Upcoming Events

Past Performances

Contact

Links

About Hula

   Hula comes  from the heart and soul of the Hawaiian people. Before there was a Hawaiian written language, there was hula. The Hawaiian culture has a very strong oral tradition. Hula is still perpetuating their history. It is performed at most special occasions on the Islands including: birthdays, graduations,  weddings, funerals, etc.  The dance can be an expression of inner thoughts & emotions, historical & political  story-telling or the exploits of the many goddesses and gods which are everywhere throughout the Islands of Hawaii including the most famous goddess...PELE, goddess of  fire and volcanoes. Hula can  be in different  forms  including:  significant traditional chants  with or without Hula  implements. Hula Kahiko can be either moving or kneeling. Hula 'Auana (Modern Hula) is choreographed dances to songs with music and words usually accompanied by guitar or Ukulele. Whatever the form or contents of the Hula, the dancer and musicians perform it  with the  utmost respect,  love,  sincerity and  compassion for all involved...the Hawaiian people call this “Aloha  Spirit”. It is a way of life and lived not only in dance but everyday. Aloha nui loa...Kumu Ka'iulani

Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele

Kimo teaches Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele in privately in their Pittsford Studio. Kimo has an extensive musical background. Originally trained as a classical musician, he studied flute at the Eastman School of Music. He then took up bass guitar and played with Jazz musicians Joe Locke, Dick Delaney and Tom George in Rochester, New York. He started playing classical guitar in high school, and took up lute in college, playing with the Terpsichore Consort at the University of Rochester. Kimo feels that there are many interesting parallels between lute and Slack Key guitar, with the use of alternative tunings, deep bass notes and tablature that was popular in medieval and renaissance lute music. It was with this background that Kimo took up the Slack Key guitar style in 2001. He has studied with Keola Beamer, John Keawe and Kevin Brown Kimo also plays ukulele (concert/baritone), Ipu Heke, To’ere, and various other percussion instruments, and is currently learning the Hawaiian steel guitar.

See www.whknox.com for more on Kimo’s day job.

"What is Aloha Spirit?"

By Victoria Ka'iulani Visiko

Aloha Spirit is a way of life. A wellness inside of you...a love of life filled with love, compassion, kindness, passion and strength. The Hawaiian Hula brings all of these ingredients together with movement. Hula tells life's story...no matter what the subject. The Hula dancer must bring the story to life with believability and intensity. Aloha Spirit...wellness of body, mind and spirit.