Mālia Helelā
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Mālia Helelā – Kumu Hula & Lomilomi Trainer
As a kumu hula and lomilomi practitioner, she looks to the ‘āina, the land, for grounding and inspiration.
An amazing teacher, Kumu Mālia simultaneously plays the ‘ukulele, dances, cues her students’ steps, sings in a lovely voice and translates Hawaiian into English. It’s a wonder to behold and a joy to dance to! Even more importantly, Mālia’s students experience a deep sense of welcome. Preserving the lineage of her teachers, Kumu Mālia grounds her dancing in traditional steps, songs and rhythms, while also composing original Hawaiian songs, chants and choreography.
Mālia Ko’i’ulaokawaolehua Helelā strives to live a life of grace. Her hula ^hālau,^ or school, named Nā Hula Ola Aloha, meets at Still & Moving Center. Completing her ‘ūniki under Kumu Hula Puluelo Park in 2002, she now teaches hula and oli to a wide range of students, from infants and toddlers to elders, kupuna. Mālia studied oli (traditional Hawaiian chanting) under Kumu Hula John Keola Lake.
Maliaʻs mother gave baby Malia massage from birth. As a teenager, Malia began her formal training in lomilomi massage earning her license from the State of Hawaii as a massage therapist in 1998. She teaches that the foundations of hula and lomilomi massage are the same: moving harmoniously with the beautiful Hawaiian environment.
As an ambassador and guest lecturer of Hawaiian culture, Kumu Mālia Helelā frequently officiates at events and delivers presentations, such as for Leeward Community College, the Hawaii Yoga Institute, Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Mid Pacific Institute, Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Manoa Cottage, Honolulu Theater for Youth, Gandhi International Institute for Peace, groups of international middle and high school students, and of course Still & Moving Center.
Malia became a recording artist in 2020, bringing out her first album. “Keiki Hula Love”consists of original songs for children. She is currently researching and writing a trilogy of historic novels centered on the Kawehewehe and Kalia areas of Waikiki. You can experience Mālia’s exuberant love for her homeland and culture whenever you take a class, a training or a lomilomi massage from her!
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