Kumu Juni Kalāhikiola Romuar

Juni Kalāhikiola Romuar is the beloved Kumu for the Ladies of Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie and the Men of Hālau Kahulaliwai. Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie means the peaceful, heavenly, flowing water, while Kahulaliwai means the water’s reflection.

Born on the island of Kaua’i, Kumu Kalāhikiola started hula at the age of eight and has studied under several Kaua’i Kumu Hula over the years. She currently studies under Kumu Hula Blaine Kamalani Kia, and Kumu Hula Michael Keala Ching because they inspire her spirituality and her deep love of hula.  Kumu Kalāhikiola opened the Sacramento branch in September of 1999, and Antioch in March of 2001. She is proud to teach the halau vision: to enhance and sustain strong cultural and spiritual values by better educating the hula practitioner to care, support and respect the dance, so, as they aspire to their full potential, can spiritually and humbly make a contributing impact (through example) to the community and all walks of life. She is also proud of the halau mission whereby all properties of knowledge, wisdom and cultural aspects belonging to the dance as passed down from generation to generation, shall be maintained by the halau principals for the benefit of all who are part of the dance.

Juni’s Hawaiian name, Kalāhikiola, means “the life giving sun”. Described by her haumana as vibrant and creative, she thinks that her greatest contribution to hula is raising public awareness of a more spiritual and loving Hawaiian way of life. She is proud of the commitment and discipline her students demonstrate as they experience the lessons in dance, history, and culture that hula provides.

When asked why she loves hula, Kalāhikiola says “it is a way to pass on what our ancestors have shared with us. Hula gives us an opportunity to perpetuate our Hawaiian culture and to spread the spirit of aloha.”