Kumu Hula Association of Northern California
"Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian People" ~King David Kalākaua
Our Mission
To not only revive hula, but to preserve and advance the music, dance, and culture of Hawai'i through programs and activities that educate and enable the public to experience the music, dance, art, history and folklore of Hawai'i.
To make Aunty Ehulani and Uncle Gordon's dream, which is to create a "Home away from Home" for Hawaiians and Hawaiians at heart in Northern California, come true.
Aloha mai,
The Kumu Hula Association of Northern California is a 501(c)(3) Hawaiian cultural organization founded by the late Ehulani Enoka Lum in 1978. Supported by her husband, the late Gordon Lum, Ehulani devoted her life to fulfilling her dream to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture for Hawaiians and Hawaiians at heart.
The Association hosts two of the longest running annual Hawaiian events serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The May Day Festival and the Iā ‘Oe E Ka Lā Hula Competition are attended by thousands of people each year. The events include an assortment of cultural dance, music, food, and arts & crafts.
Hālau from all over the world perform at the events with distinguished judges flown in from Hawaii to judge the Iā ʻOe E Ka Lā Hula competition. The judges provide valuable feedback to the Kumu Hula to ensure the historic authenticity of the costumes, performance, oli, and music.
Today, Ehulani’s daughters, Deanie, and Allennette, and supported by family friend Ingrid Garlasa and numerous other friends and family have kept their mother’s dream alive by running and growing the two festivals. We welcome you to join us and experience Ehulani’s dream.
Me ka aloha pumehana,
Deanie and Family