Instructor

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Instructor

Bernadette Hailialohapumehana Rotolante was born and raised on O`ahu, Hawaii. She grew up in Makiki and (Kewalo) Papakolea Homestead and attended SacredHeartsAcademy where she graduated in 1984. Hula entered into Haili’s life at the early age of 3 and has been a part of her life ever since. Some of her teachers were Lucy Lee, Aunty Mai`ki Aiu Lake, and most recently, Kumu Hula Mohala Reese since 1989 at Halau Hula Nameakanu o Laka o Hawai`i. She and her husband Randy have two beautiful daughters, Maraia, a sophomore in high school and Tiana, who just turned 4 whom she hopes, will come to love and embrace hula, their Hawaiian culture and heritage.

There have been many opportunities and experiences that have allowed Haili to embrace her culture and heritage thus allowing her to stay grounded in the pureness and simplicity of the Aloha Spirit! It is through these collective experiences as a whole that have helped to shape her values and philosophy on life in general as well as hula. It is a difficult and daunting task to manage an equal balance in all the phases of life, however in remaining faithful to her core Christian values and beliefs along with the remembrances of her Hawaiian up-bringing, Haili strives for Lokahi (unison/harmony), by doing what she can to bring out the best in others through the acceptance, love and forgiveness of self and others.

On August 4, 2007, Halau Hula O Hailialohapumehana opened its doors in the City of Redondo Beach. When Haili was working on the name for her school, she was asked by Keone Nunes, “What are the three most important things that you want your school to represent?” and her answer was, “First and foremost, that the haumana would feel Loved, Inspired and last but not least, to have Growth. Halau Hula O Hailialohapumehana is a traditional school of hula where the haumana (can enter after having completed Hula Basics I and II) begin with `Ike kumu, learning the foundational chants, dances and mele as well as workshops where they’ll learn how to make their own adornments and implements.

Haili has these words to say… ”Hula has allowed me to stay grounded and connected to my roots, my heritage, my home, my family….. Most importantly, hula has helped me to evolve into the person I am today. I believe because of hula, I’m more appreciative of everything that I have. I’ve been very blessed and am very thankful for all the wonderful people that have touched my life and that continue to touch my life. Hula is like an ebb flow, it is a constant flow of giving and receiving. Much of what is taught in hula; all of the virtues, protocol, etc. can and is applied in everyday life. When one can truly understand and applies what is taught, life does become much easier. What I’ve come to realize through everything that I have been exposed to, whether it be through hula, my faith teachings, training seminars, books etc. is that “Life is a constant learning experience!” When a person wraps their whole being around that, you’ll always be humble enough to realize that there are so many lessons out there to be learned so that you can continue to grow into your life’s purpose. Mahalo nui loa Ke Akua for all the many blessings; to my `ohana here; my husband Randy,daughters; Ku`upuamae`ole and Ke `Anuenueokekaimalino for your many sacrifices and, for loving and supporting me through my journey; and at home in Hawai`i; my parents, extended `ohana and kupuna who have paved the way and the sacrifices that they have made and also to my hula `ohana, Aunty Mohala, my hula brother and sisters, I couldn’t have made it without you!”