Shawna Kealameleku’uleialoha Alapa’i is the founder and Kumu Hula (Hula teacher) of Hula On! Productions and its adjunct dance troupe, Halau Hula Na Pua O Ka La'akea. Kumu Shawna has been involved in Hula for over 30 years. She has performed internationally, and is widely known as an accomplished hula dancer, teacher and Hawai'ian chant composer.

Recently, on August 23, 2003, Kumu Shawna completed a 2-1/2 year intensive study program on traditional Hawai'ian dance and chant, with Loea Hula (Hula Master) Mae Kamamalu Klein. These studies were on the prestigious Hula lineage of Aunty Ma’iki Aiu Lake, who was deeply rooted to Master Teacher Lokalia Montgomery of Kaua’i. The program culminated with a traditional ‘Uniki (graduation) ceremony, which follows a formal set of ancient rituals and protocols.

Kumu Shawna is well known in the community for her efforts in promoting the Hawai'ian language, history and culture; she founded Halau Hula Na Pua O Ka La’akea in 1996 to spearhead her efforts in preserving the traditional essence of Hawai'i through Hula. She has been active in various community events, such as performances for Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club in Sonoma County, He'e Nalu Outrigger Canoe Club in Larkspur, the Mill Valley Art Commission's Concerts in the Plaza, Aloha Festival in the Presidio, and Rohnert Park's annual community event "Building Bridges".

Ms. Ngum Alapa'i has also offered classes to children through the Tiburon/Belvedere Recreation Dept., and the Corte Madera Recreation Dept. In June of 1996, she wrote, directed, and produced a two night show at The Playhouse Theater in San Anselmo, called Pele and Hi'iaka...A Story of Love which put the legend of Pele to dance. In February 2000, she presented the performance ‘Au’a ‘Ia...A Celebration of Hula, which conveyed the history of Hula and all the changes it has undergone through time. In April of 2001, she produced the hula show "Hula Is...Life!," sharing with the audience the Hawai’ian people’s philosophy of life through hula. Most recently, in March of 2003, she produced the show Under A Hula Moon...an evening of intrigue and romance, sharing the importance of the Hawaiian moon cycle to daily life for the ancient Hawaiian culture. All of these performances were sold out and were well received by a multicultural audience.

Kumu Shawna currently teaches classes through her Halau (hula school) in San Anselmo and San Rafael.

Photos on this page are copywrited by the photographers who have provided them to Hula On! Productions. They may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the permission of the photographers. We do encourage linking to photos on our site. We just ask to be informed.