Hula Halau’o Nalua & Pacific Exchange Productions

I hold this halau so near and dear to my heart… I danced here from September 1991 to December 2000, and learned so much from Auntie Nalua, Anthony and Katrina. Moving to CA from HI when I was little, I longed so much of the Hawaiian culture. I didn’t find it until I was 18 and found them in the White Pages. That was such a blessing. I have danced with other halau (both big/​award-​winning and small/​family types) but nothing will ever compare to what I learned here… dance, culture, language, ohana… «Feel it in your mana!» — «Don’t drag your feet!» If only I still lived closer… Maybe I’ll go back one day

Mercedes and I hired the Otea Api troupe to perform at a graduation and family reunion at my house June 2012. We looked for a group that was more energetic than others we’ve found online, and the promotional video on the Pacific Exchange Productions site caught our attention.
What a marvelous performance! We feel like I’ve visited Tahiti and never left home.
All my guests and family loved the high-​energy show that Otea Api dancers brought to the stage. The drums and singing were infectious and the dancing was fun to watch. Then, we got up on stage and danced with the performers.
Oh, but first the band played, and the songs were quite a nice mix. Great music and great singing. Live music IS better!
Set up and tear down went smoothly. The Otea Api group members are professional throughout. I highly recommend this group for any occasion.
Robert

I LOVE it here! Been here since I was 16… I’m 27 now yikes lol… Learned a few years ago that my first hula teacher from when I was 13 (Auntie Rose Lokelani Thomas) taught Auntie here too! Currently I’m just taking Tahitian… haven’t been in Hula since high school. I wouldn’t want to dance anywhere else but here! :)

I loved this Halau. I danced for about 3 years and couldnt wait to go back each week. You feel like your family every time you walk in the door. I was taught by Anthony and couldnt have asked for more. I took the Tahitian and Hula classes and performed many times. Their synchronization is impeccable. They are thoughful, sincere, strong people whom I admire. If I lived closer, I would return!

My daughter and niece joined last summer and they love the MIki Miki (little girl class). They use to be shy to dance now they will dance tahitian in front of anyone! They learned a dance quickly and their costumes are beautiful. I recently joined the tahitian class for adults and i also love the class. The owners and teachers are experienced, patient, and really go out of their way to help all the students. it is really a family atmosphere at this halau!

I used to do tahitian here for practically three years. Its a family business and you can totally tell, the staff is very welcoming and friendly. They have a couple of different branches in other areas.
I was long ago since I’ve been so I’m not quite sure how they do things now. When I attended Anthony (plus company) would play live drums while his wife Janette would show us the moves/​routines. The class was designed very efficiently from warm up to end. I’d like to go back, I’ve been to other halaus and the experience just wasn’t the same.