PROFILE

Hālau Nā Mamo O Kahalelehua

Kumu Hula Lahilahi Gina Jingao has a belief that "Hula enriches one's spirit and enhance the quality of life."

Hula is a good exercise for health, but also it is very important and indispensable thing to understand the Hawaiian culture.

She gives us the technique of Hawaiian dance and teaches us to understand hula rightly keeping on the spirit of Aloha, Ha’aha'a and Lokahi in her mind. These are essential to learn hula.

Ku I ka Mana is our Halau’s Motto,it means resembling Kumu’s philosophy of life and style of dancing.

Kumu Hula Lahilahi Gina Jingao

Kumu Hula Gina was born between her father from Oahu Island and her mother from Hawaii island, who’s part of a long line descendant of Kamehameha.

She has been loving hula since her childhood, and was active as a member of Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu'uanahulu in hula competitions. After that, She had a 'uniki to become a Kumu Hula by Kumu Hula Sonny Ching of Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu'uanahulu. She also contributed some Japanese Halau to lead a prize in various competitions.

Currently, as a Kumu Hula of Hālau Nā Mamo O Kahalelehua, and has been teaching hula and Hawaiian culture.

She has a profound knowledge of making leis, and has been making leis such as Queen Lili'uokalani's stage, weddings, parties, and horse leis for parade.

She served a judge at Lei Contest by City and Country of Honolulu over 10 years.

1964
Started learning hula at the age of seven under Kumu Hula Uncle George Holokai
1967
Studied under Kumu Hula Aunty Helen Kamauu

1972
Studied under Kumu Hula Aunty Helen Hew Len

1986
Met Kumu Hula Sonny Ching at her son's May Day Performance, and danced hula with him

1992
Was appointed to be an alaka'i for Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu'uanahulu by Kumu Hula Sonny Ching

1993
Started teaching hula at the community class of Paki Park

1994

Competed in Merrie Monarch Festival as a member of Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, and won 1st place Wahine auana

1995 - 1998
Teached hula and lei-making at hotels and schools

2002
Started serving a judge at Lei Contest by City and County of Honolulu

2004～

Led some Halau’s in multiple competitions

2005 - 2007
Had a privilege to lead her unit in King Kamehameha Floral Parade

2011
Had a 'uniki to become a Kumu Hula by Kumu Hula Sonny Ching

2012
Established Hālau Nā Mamo O Kahalelehua in Oahu

2013
Opened Hālau Nā Mamo O Kahalelehua in Japan