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Aloha and welcome to the Ohana Dance Group website.
My name is Pat "Anuhea" Toyama. Many people simply call me Anuhea. I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai`i, graduating from Sacred Hearts Academy and the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. My husband, Don Toyama, was born, raised, and educated on Maui. He is known as Uncle Don, and is present at all our classes and performances. Many people have traveled with me on my hula journey which began at age 5. Moving to Sacramento in 1986, I have been influenced by teachings from na kumu hula, the longest being Kumu Naomi Kalama. I have attended numerous hula workshops with na kumu hula in Hawai`i and California and have participated in hula competitions, exhibitions, public and private events. To enhance my growth and learning, I continue to attend in-depth hula workshops in Sacramento and Hawai`i, such as the E Pili Kakou, International Waikiki Hula Conference, and Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett's hula workshops. My family, which has been in Hawai`i for over 100 years, has had a positive influence on my journey. Mom and Dad instilled in me the foundations of a pono life, one of respect, honor, honesty, responsibility, and compassion for others. Mom danced hula and played the `ukulele, brother Paul plays kiho`alu, and daughter Malia and niece U`ilani (Class of 2010, Kamehameha Schools) are beautiful hula dancers. Family friends Leonard Kwan (deceased) of O`ahu and Kevin Brown and his `ohana from Maui, kiho`alu artists, have been humble and positive influences in my love of Hawaiian music and hula. Now that I’m in my sixth decade of life, it's my turn to share the culture that I have been fortunate to have been a part of, from birth to present. I have been sent this wonderful opportunity to share what I've learned through the Ohana Dance Group hula halau, as well as at the Ethel Hart Senior Center where I offer free hula classes for seniors. In my hula journey, I have been blessed to be able to study under Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Training has been challenging, and there has been an amazing amount of cultural, intellectual, and spiritual growth occurring. Many have benefited from the teachings I have shared with them, a small part of my effort to assist in the preservation of Hawai`i's culture.   Niece, U`ilani Tanigawa, Kamehameha Schools Class of 2010 with parents, Paul and Oma  Malia Tualla with Anuhea |
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