The Alama Sisters...

Hula Master sisters Leilani and Puanani Alama

The following information is provided by the Hula Preservation Society:

Käne`ohe, Hawai`i – September 23, 2012

Sisters Leilani and Puanani Alama are inseparable legends in the hula community. At 87 and 82, respectively, they are the oldest active Kumu Hula (Hula Masters) alive today. They have each enjoyed individual careers as accomplished solo dancers, performers, and community leaders, and through their respective hula studios have literally touched thousands of lives, with generations of families passing through their doors over their seven decades each of teaching.

Elder sister Leilani has held the prestigious position of Aloha Week Queen, and continues to teach five days a week at her Kaimukï studio, a location she has been at since 1943! That is a record for all time. Younger sister Puanani was the “Lovely Hula Hands” girl as she graced an album cover by the same name in the 1950’s. She is the last living judge from the first Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, which will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013. Both regularly give of their time to judge hula competitions, and they continue to anchor the Nä Hula o Hawai`i Festival at Kapi`olani Park as they have every year since 1940.

Their community service credentials are endless, as are their commitments to their respective students and to the preservation of hula.

Under the recommendation of the non!profit Hula Preservation Society, the legendary Alama Sisters will receive the annual “I Ola Mau Ka Hula” Award from the Hula Grill Restaurant in Waikïkï on Saturday, October 6th.

Ms. Alama being interviewed on the radio 

Puanani and Leilani Alama

Ms. Alama circa 1950's

I'm honored to say that I take hula from Puanani Alama