Kumu Ualani "Girlie" Abad
Girlie “Ualani” Abad is the Kumu (Teacher) of Halau Hula O Ualani and has been based in Tucson, Arizona for over 25 years.
Kumu Ualani was born and raised in Waianae on the Hawaiian Island of O’ahu. She then moved to San Diego, California where she began her strong foundation in Hawaiian hula dancing while learning under Kumu Hula Sharlin Soon. Kumu Ualani also trained in the Hawaiian martial art Kajukenbo with her late husband Shi-Zu Allen Abad and holds the rank of Grand Master. With her combined martial arts and hula training, she soon opened opportunities to share her knowledge with others.
In 1992, Kumu Ualani moved to Tucson, Arizona and began dancing with Eraina Kennett the daughter of Ernie Menehune and performed in the Menehune Polynesian Review for well over 20 years. Her Halau accompanied Uncle Ernie during his one of a kind performances all over Arizona and hundreds of locations all around Tucson. Uncle Ernie Menehune passed away in 2015 and Kumu Ualani was honored to carry on his memory with the name Halau Hula O Ualani and her Menehune Dancers. She has also taken her shows on the road to California and Nevada. Currently, her Halau performs in private and corporate events throughout the year and in two major cultural events, the Arizona Aloha Festival held each March in Tempe, Arizona and Tucson Meet Yourself held each October in Tucson, Arizona.
Kumu Ualani’s vision is to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through the understanding of hula. When her Halau performs, their love and Aloha Spirit is felt by all. We are here to learn, to appreciate, to perform and ultimately to have fun. Kumu Ualani truly believes hula is for everyone. She has said, “I can give you the tools to learn hula, but it is up to you to capture the Aloha Spirit and share it through dance.”
Kumu Ualani has 5 daughters and 18 grandchildren, many of them dance Hawaiian hula and two of her daughters have their own Halau and teach Kajukenbo. Her beauty and grace are surpassed only by her many talents and humble attitude. Her heart is filled with the Aloha Spirit and through dance, she is given the opportunity to share the Aloha Spirit with others. She has passed on her talents to her children and grandchildren who have become beautiful dancers, amazing teachers and unbelievable practitioners of martial arts.
Halau Hula O Ualani currently teaches kane (men) and wahine (women) of all ages both beginner and experienced hula dancers. We are available to perform at birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, or any other event you would like to experience a little piece of Hawaii!!
