Santa CruzCounty is an amazing place! We have a memorial to the three Hawaiian princes who in 1885 taught Santa Cruzians how to surf; we have a Hawaiian radio station in Watsonville; and the Tiki Kings Ukelele Store in Felton. Now we also have a hula school called “Mehana Pa Olapa Kahiko” or, in English, “The Ladies of Mehana.”
Mehana Thomas, the hula teacher, was born and raised in Hawaii, but has lived on the mainland for some time. Since this past June she has been living in Lompico, having moved from La Selva Beach. Her grandson is playing football with San Lorenzo Valley High and they are settling into their new home.
She has classes for women ages 13 and up who would like to learn how to dance the traditional Hawaiian hula dance. The women can be first time dancers or those who want to brush up on their technique.
Since August she has had a Wednesday evening class in Ben Lomond from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the SLVSeniorCenter at HighlandsPark. She accepts drop in students in the class or those who want to attend occasionally without commitments.
Mehana also continues to teach two classes Tuesday evenings in La Selva Beach: a beginner class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and an advanced class from 7:30 to 9:00. No drop in students are permitted.
Mehana says, “I am Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian) born and raised on Moku ‘O Keawe (Hawai’i Island). Santa Cruz is a wonderful place to live, it reminds me of home and it is so maika’i (good) that the people I have encountered while living here have such a great connection with the islands — so awesome.”
Sound interesting? Email Mehana at [email protected] .
