Biography micheal pili pang

In 1986 Michael opened Hālau Hula Ka Noʻeau on the Big Island, and later in 2002 he added a second hālau in Honolulu.
Michael Pili Pang began dancing hula as a youngster, later studying under Maiki Aiu Lake and Mae Kamamalu Klein.
He received a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa in 2005.

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Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau

Michael Pili Pang, kumu hula (hula master/artistic director)

“Pang approaches Hawaiian dance as an artistic, creative and educational endeavor, not simply as entertainment … their public performances are varied, polished and exciting.” – East-West Center (Honolulu)

“For Hawaiians, studying and performing hula is a lifelong undertaking, requiring concentration, discipline, and constant practice.”-Dance Magazine

“…the dancers give us a sense of journeying, of different landscapes and change of mood.” –Village Voice

Award-winning Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau is dedicated to performing traditional hula styles, particularly a dance style called hula ku‘i that evolved from the teachings of late hula master Maiki Aiu Lake. A revered kumu hula from O‘ahu, she was one of the leaders at the forefront of the Hawaiian renaissance, a movement that began in the 1960s to restore the knowledge of Hawaiian cultural traditions that had almost disappeared. Lake’s styling captures the courtly dances of the Hawaiian Monarchy dur

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Main Stage
Saturday May 5, 12:00 pm

The Halau: We at Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau have built our reputation on the philosophy and creed that the “Art of Hula” expresses all we see, hear, smell taste, touch and feel. We are guided by the belief the best foundation in creating something new is a thorough understanding of the past. The best environment in which to succeed is one which encourages discipline, commitment and creativity.

The world is changing all around us. To continue to thrive as a business and cultural organization, we must look ahead, understand the trends and forces shaping our organization in the future and move swiftly to prepare for what’s to come. We must get ready for tomorrow today. That’s what MU‘OLAULANI is all about. It creates a long-term destination for our cultural activities and provides us with a “garden” in which to live work and play.

Our vision serves as the framework for our roadmap and guides every aspect of our business by describing what we need to accomplish in order to continue achieving sustainable, quality growth: create a great place where

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First person: ‘I am nothing without my culture’

Michael Pili Pang, who is based in Honolulu, the capital of the US state of Hawaii is what is known as a kuma hula, or master teacher of the traditional dance. His interest in hula began at the age of seven and he opened his hālau or dance school over thirty years ago. He teaches what he describes as “multi-generational” classes.

He spoke to UN News as part of a photography project by the International Labour Organization ahead of the UN-backed International Arts Education Week which begins on 25 May.

“Hula is closely connected to the culture of the Hawaiian Islands. And so, as a hula teacher, I am nothing without my culture. I am nothing without the connection to the stories I teach in dances, to the land, the sea, the sky and the gods that created these islands.

I am guided by the belief that the best foundation in creating something new is a thorough understanding of the past and our culture.

When I teach hula, I make the connection with nature; In a dance my students may have to imagine that the mountain or the flowe