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Halau Director / Instructor Aloha, my name is Ha’awina or for most people, Tammie. I moved to Colorado from California (with my family) in 2003 and have been dancing hula for many years. I grew up with the influence of hula and Hawaiian traditions mostly from my mom, many aunties, uncles and my Tutu (great-grand mother). For the last several years, I have danced professionally and in many hula competitions. My instructors, or more appropriately, Kumu, have given me years of valuable knowledge and understanding of the Hawaiian culture and their style of dance. I trained as "alaka'i" under the direction of Kawika and Leinani Viloria in Diamond Bar, CA ~ Hálau Hula a Kawika laua ‘o Leinani. Students in Mauna Pohaku learn the format and style of Kawika ‘o Leinani Hálau (award winning, well renown, hula school), which is an extension of their teaching and hula structure. It is an honor to impart the traditions and dance learned from my Kumu to my students in Mauna Pohaku.	I am Pana Puanani, a native-born wahine of mixed ancestry with family on O’ahu, Maui, and Moloka’i. My grandfather was Luna for the Waialua Sugar Plantation, where my papa grew up. At three, my youngest two aunties took me to hula classes taught by Tutu Beamer. I started formal hula lessons at six, and had the privilege of learning from the Beamer family and Aunti Maiki Aiu. When I left Hawai’i at 22, to pursue a career and graduate degrees, I resided in California, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Holland, and now Colorado. It’s a thrill dancing with Mauna Pohaku. Mahalo, Ha’awina!
Aloha, my name is Amanda, but my hula sisters call me Alamea. I fell in love with the hula as a keiki (child) in Ventura, California, and have been dancing ever since. I began my instruction with Kumu Hula San Nicol of Hula Halau O Pua Mohala, and have recently continued learning with Tammie Ha’awina Chaumillon in Boulder, Colorado. I enjoy sharing the spirit of hula with the local community, and take great pride in the aloha spirit of our halau and my hula sisters. I hope to pass this spirit of aloha on to those for whom we dance.	Aloha, my name is Birgit Schanz and I am from Germany. I moved to Boulder in 1995 and have been dancing hula since Spring 2003. I come from a musical family and have a strong love for dance. When my family and I visited the Big Island for the first time, we watched a Kahiko hula performance in the Volcano National Park and I was mesmerized! From that day on, I searched for a place to learn this enchanting dance. I am fortunate to belong to this wonderful Hálau and to learn more about the Hawaiian culture and its dances.
Hi, I am Mary or Malia in Hawaiian. When I was a child, I lived in Oahu and was introduced to hula when my family and I watched hula dancers perform in the Kodak Hula show every week. I love Hawai’i and often visit the islands. I began taking hula lessons to learn more about a place I love. I am delighted to be a part of Hálau Hula O Na Mauna Pohaku here in Boulder, Colorado.	Aloha, I am Kawena Pua’aala Neva Kapule, a 15 years old Hawaiian native. Born in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. I moved to Colorado in 1998. I started dancing at two years old under Kumu Hula Etua Lopez, who danced under Uncle Charles Naope on the Big Island. I have been dancing now for 13 years, and have a passion for the hula. Although there are many things I like about hula, I favor auanas. At the beginning of 2005, I started dancing with Hálau hula O Na Mauna Pohaku. I love dancing with my new hula family.
Aloha, I'm Michelle Napua Sueko Yano. I grew up in Kailua on the island of Oahu. Surrounded by ocean and living so close to the beach, it was only natural I became a swimmer. I swam my way through High School at Kamehameha Schools, and later at Colorado State University. I now live in Erie with my husband Dean. I started hula with Mauna Pohaku "just for fun," and in turn I've learned so much from the women with whom I dance. I'm blessed to have found such a great group of women who enjoy hula and the Hawaiian culture.	Aloha, I am Darcie Pualani Forde. I have a deep family history in the Hawaiian Islands. My love for hula began with my Aunty Yae, the first poster girl for Hawai’i. She welcomed ships at Aloha Tower with hula. She can still be seen in advertisements for Hilo Hattie and Roxy. My great grandfather was a wood carver for the royalty of Hawaii. Because of my family roots in Hawaii, I have great love for the Hawaiian culture and hula. I am excited to share my culture and love for hula with my hula ohana and for those I dance.
	My given Hawaiian name is Kalani Ki'e Ki'e, but outside the hálau, people know me as Susie Park. I began dancing hula at ten-years-old in California with Ginger "Keahi" Allen, and continued learning from Kumu Randy Kaulana Chang. When I moved to New York City, I studied with Luana Haraguchi. After moving to Boulder in 2003, I have been a part of Mauna Pohaku since it's inception in January 2005. I look forward to continue learning and sharing hula through Mauna Pohaku. I hope to impart this love and passion for hula to my daughter, Iona Leilani, born December 2005.

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