Today we’d like to introduce you to Mahealani Taisague
Hi Mahealani, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Aloha all. My name is Mahealani Taisague, Iʻm Kumu Hula and owner of Na Pua ʻIlima. I have been dancing for nearly 30 years and took over our Hula Halau when my late Kumu Hula, Kehaulani Wilson passed away almost eight years ago now.
I started with our Halau at the early age of ten and quickly realized that this is a placed the I belonged and would stay for as long as possible. I have had the honor and pleasure of being invited to participate and do so many things. Including multiple Hula and Tahitian competitions, both of which we have placed in both group competition as well as individually as a soloist.
My goal and motivation in keeping this Halau going after my late Kumu Hula, Kehaulani Wilson, passed away, was and continues to be to share that same upbringing and experience that I had growing up in the Halau. Itʻs amazing, itʻs stressful, itʻs eventful, itʻs ridiculously busy, itʻs hard, itʻs impressive but overall itʻs fulfilling. Carrying on this Halau on her behalf and on behalf of my own Hawaiian heritage is a tall order, but one in which Iʻve been able to embark on with the support of my ohana and others who have graciously agreed to support. This Halau is a part of who I am as a person, what I stand for, a way to connect to my culture and to others. Perpetuation of these values, goals and work are so important to me.
My favorite part about dancing is sharing. There are so many stories to be told, ancestors to honor, language to be shared and beautiful things to come out of all of it. I also love that despite the busy world that we live in day to day that dance can give you a break from it all. You can focus solely on it and love doing it, even if for a short time in the studio for a few hours.
In our Halau, itʻs not only about dancing. I also teach language, dedication and discipline, responsibility, respect and Lokahi (togetherness).
a. Dedication and Discipline: Growing up in our Halau has made me learn an enormous amount of dedication. To myself, to my Kumu Hula, to my Hula sisters and to my family. Dedication meant coming to practice every week, focusing on what was been taught, and then bringing it home to practice more.
b. Responsibility: At a young age we teach our haumana (dancers) responsibility. And it starts out as small as them carrying their own Hula bags, that has their practice skirt and other supplies in it. And as a perpetuator of Hula, you are responsible for ensuring that you have all of the necessary tools for practice, that includes, your skirt, your hula notebook to take notes, and water to ensure that youʻre staying hydrated throughout.
c. Respect: Along with the responsibility of having all of your tools, we also teach respect when it comes to those tools. You put your paʻu skirt away nicely before you class, you take care of any implements that you have, and you respect the stories that you learn during class. You also learn to respect your Kumu Hula, your other assistant instructors and your Hula sisters when in class. Dancing isnʻt just about choreographing movements or looking cute, itʻs about understanding what youʻre learning about, why youʻre wearing a certain color or lei and then portraying that story through it all.
d. Lokahi: Togetherness. I am so fortunate to have a very supportive family. My husband drums, my brother plays music and drums, my Tutu sews costumes, teaches ukulele and still dances and my mom helps with the back office and administration. We encourage family involvement and have tons of sisters, moms and families that are involved in our Halau. Many keiki have moms that dance, a few dads drum and play music for us too. I look forward to my practice days to see such a great appreciation for what we do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasnʻt always a smooth road. When I was at the hospital every day with my late Kumu Hula towards her last weeks and days, I struggled and didnʻt know if I was capable of what she was asking of me. I was only 29, and becoming a business owner and taking over an entire Halau had been the plan, sure. But eventually, some time in the future. As an Alakaʻi (assistant teacher) it was always the plan for me to open my own Halau some day, but I didnʻt feel ready.
I was one of the youngest of the Alakaʻi, and I didnʻt feel like it was up to me. But as her health continued to deteriorate I tried my best to be strong and to learn as much as I could. There were days that she would laugh and we would talk about Hula and I would share my ideas for costumes for the upcoming year, others where she was resting most of the time and I was just at her bedside hoping for a miracle or a sign that I was ready.
It was three days before my 30th birthday, and it was the one day I decided to stop at home after work instead of going straight to the house. And thatʻs when I got the phone call, she had passed. She was surrounded by her husband, and her son and his family, but it broke me. I wanted to ask more questions, ask for more advice, navigate taking over this legacy that she wanted me to perpetuate. I rushed to the house, tears and hugs all around as we all held hands an prayed over her. I was upset with myself that I wasnʻt there, but someone had said to me that she had waited until I wasnʻt there to pass. I was selfish, I wanted and needed more time. It turned out that God needed more.
Immediately following her passing there was a power struggle, even though one of her dying wishes was for me to take over. It became difficult for people to stay with our Halau, to endure and continue. Which I understood more than anyone, how was I going to take over and do what she did? One by one people started to leave, to join other Halau. Again, I understood more than other people, but quitting wasnʻt an option, closing the Halau wasnʻt an option. I had to stay and continue, otherwise, who else would?
I found solace in the fact that those who left did continue dancing and learning, even if it wasnʻt with me or for me or for her. She had always given her permission to those that wanted to leave and continue elsewhere. So I did too. It made me sad, sure, but I wasnʻt going to beg those who wanted to leave to stay. It was ultimately my responsibility to continue. And there were definitely some missteps of mine when I first started, and other Kumu Hula who knew my late Kumu Hula well were not hesitant to tell me, but I learned so much.
I considered myself lucky, Kumu Kehau visited me in my dreams often. Often yelling at me about things that should be fixed, and I was so grateful. I got to see her still and talk to her and had her to guide me, even through my dreams. As time went on, she visited less and less. I took it as a sign that I was doing ok.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a family run and owned Hula Halau who are perpetuating the cultures of Polynesia through language, dance and cultural practices. We are based out of Chula Vista and encourage families to come out and see us!
We specialize in Hula and Tahitian, both traditional and non-traditional. We are known for our unique and extravagant costumes, as well as the ohana atmosphere and safe space that we provide.
I am most proud that we have been able to continue a legacy and also grow that legacy. Just this year we onboarded nearly 30 new students! We allow enrollment from as young as 4-years-old, up to my Tutu (grandma). Hula can be shared with anybody at any stage of life. It keeps our keiki (children) occupied, and our elders in shape.
The relationships that we create and maintain in the Halau are lifelong ones. Itʻs like having a whole network of new people that can support you in any aspects in your life. We celebrate diversity, and I am so happy to share.
Our Halau allows us to celebrate a small piece of home that we wouldnʻt otherwise have. It keeps me connected to my Hawaiian heritage as well as give me purpose. Every day I am looking at flowers, researching songs, listening to lectures and music for building curriculum for the next year. A Kumu Hula never sleeps, but itʻs worth sharing and being able to lead such an amazing group of considerate and loving people.
Just this year we were able to participate in a lot of things. We always have the wonderful opportunity perform at the San Diego County Fair every summer, as well as at the Pacific Islander Festival that happens in September annually. I also have to privilege of sitting on the Executive Board of the Pacific Islander Festival Association as this yearʻs Treasurer. Itʻs another non-profit that helps ensure that us San Diegans have a small piece of home to celebrate here.
We were able to perform at some big ticket things this year! We performed at two concerts for world renown Hawaiian artists: Kuana Torres Kahele, Robert Cazimero (of The Brothers Cazimero), Hoku Zuttermeister, Kupaoa and Mark Yamanaka. And also at the first Holo Holo Festival in San Diego this summer! A big two-day reggae festival that was held at SnapDragon Stadium. And we were also invited to perform at Pacific Islander Heritage Night for the Padres pre-game show!
We also support Pacific Heritage Month and were able to do the pre-game performance to our local San Diego Wave Womenʻs Soccer Team!
I believe with humbled hearts and with the amazing relationships that we are able to build within our amazing Pacific Islander community that we were blessed with so many opportunities to share this year. We hope to do many more!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We have a group of keiki (kids), wahine (women) and gracious ladies (older ladies) who would be happy to perform at your next performance! We have done everything from backyard parties to weddings, to quinceneras and debutants, to even funerals honoring the dearly departed.
Please e-mail us for pricing and for more information. We can customize a package and work with your budget to provide amazing entertainment appropriate for you event!
Pricing:
- Dance classes (4 years old and up) – $45.00 – $60.00/month
- Tahitian Drumming – $45/month
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @napuailima, @myhanicomb, @hanihalepua
