Strive to reach the highest
Queen Kapi’olani (1834-1899)

My name is Gloria Akeakamai Hilina`i Ruiz.Hula fills my soul, my mind, and my life with joy, energy and harmony.The profound gratitude and respect for the Hawaiian people, their culture and their expressive dance is what inspires me to continue learning and teaching to perpetuate this wonderful art form.

I have been dancing hula for 14 years, teaching for three, and have been studying under
Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva in Ka`ohao, O`ahu since 2003. After concluding the first five years of my study program with Aunty Mapu, I `uniki (graduated) as `olapa – dancer of traditional hula – in August of 2007. I am continuing my hula training to `uniki as ho`opa`a – chanter – and to ultimately `uniki as Kumu Hula – hula master –.

The journey into knowledge is endless, and I feel truly blessed to be travelling this path with my amazingly gifted teachers Mapuana de Silva and her husband Kihei de Silva; and having the support of my lifetime partner and husband René, my family, and our Hula `Ohana (Family) Hālau Makana Lani whose wonderful love and commitment keeps me going.