Napili Kai Foundation

ABOUT NAPILI KAI FOUNDATION

Kumu Hula

Kathryn Holoaumoku Ralar

Kumu Hula – source and teacher of hula knowledge
Kathryn Holoaumoku Ralar, born April 25, 1960. Attended the Kamehameha Schools from Kindergarten thru Graduation in 1978. She received her teaching certificate for hula in 1979 from Aunty Emma Sharpe, therefore becoming one of Aunty Emmaʻs Alakaʻi. In 1981 Holoaumoku accepted the position of Hula teacher to the children of the Napili Kai Foundation. And upon Auntyʻs passing in 1984, she became Kumu Hula for the continuing of Auntyʻs Halau. She has now taught and shared the hula for over 34 years and continues to enjoy her students of all ages and nationalities.

She has been recognized thru the years as she was Moi Wahine (Queen) of the Aloha Week Court in 1991 & 1992. Holoaumoku was a judge at the Hula O Na Keiki & the Ku Mai Ka Hula Competitions and other prestigious events. She has served as the President of the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club and Board member and is currently the Maui Council President. She is also the second Vice President of the Maui Chapter of Hale O Nä Ali’i o Hawai’i.

Most important to her is that she is a member of the renowned Farden family and continues to share her love for the hula as she carries on her family’s legacy.

Supporting Teachers & Musicians

Rance “Ho’onui” Villarimo, Ho’okipa Alaka’i

Kumu, Teacher of Boys, and Musician

Graduate of Lahainaluna High School on Maui. Danced at the Sheraton Lu’uau in the 1980s and 1990s. Began instructing career with the Napili Kai Foundation in 1984. I took a short sabbatical to become a Concierge Manager only to return to my love of teaching hula to our Haumana in 1987.

Studied hula under the direction of Aunty Anny Dizon (1970-74). Studied with Cousin Mary Haupu, who also studied under John Piilani Watkins (1974-77). Alaka’i for Halau Hula Keali’i o Kekai, under the direction of Iola Balubar (Keiki Kane entries for the Queen Liliuokalani Master and Miss Keiki Hula Competition. Studied Hawaiian language with Kumu Keali Reichel (1990-91). Studied Hawaiian language from Kumu Ekala Crozier (2007-08).

I am grateful for the opportunity given to be a part of our hamana lives and to be able to reaffirm values that parents teach them at home. The rewards of being at the Napili Kai Foundation are of countless blessings, to watch the Hauana grow into young adults and to see their application of what they have learned carried out into their community work.

I am currently employed as a full time Alaka’i at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel and a wedding minister. A proud member of Halau Kauluokala.

Napili Kai Foundation Kalei Jaramillo

Kalei Jaramillo

Kumu, Tahitian Teacher

Started hula as a child with Aunty Emma Farden Sharpe, and did performances here and there, like dancing for the people on the ships when they would come in to Lahaina Harbor, and later was blessed to become one of her dancers in the hotel shows.

Then was called by the love of Polynesian dance, crafts, music and language. To learn here, and then travel, learning more in Aotearoa and Tahiti, and performing multiple times in Japan, Korea, Canada, and the U.S. mainland. And this knowledge, that keeps growing, has been and is still joyfully and gratefully passed along in the Napili Kai Foundation.