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ABOUT
Lōkahi. Kōkua. Ho'omau. Ohana. 'Imi Ola.
Nō te here o Pōrīnetia.
The haumāna of 'Ike Roa focus on studying, learning, and practicing the arts of Hawaiian hula and ori Tahiti. We learn about the culture and dance in person from well known, highly respected experts in Hawaiian and Tahitian arts and culture. We respect and celebrate the traditions and spirit of Polynesia as we perpetuate culture through education, classes, and performance in the Louisville, KY area. Importance of the Hula Kahiko is emphasized, as it is a strong part of the heritage. Many chants reveal origins, values, events, and legends regarding influential figures and leaders throughout Hawai'i's history.
Presenting a space, community, and educational source for local haumāna to maintain a cultural connection is the ultimate driving force of 'Ike Roa's efforts. With the blessing and support from Auntie Francesca, the studio thrives and shares true aloha to our area. Our dedication to sharing the Aloha Spirit to the Louisville area thrives through instructor and student research, training, and practice to ensure proper execution. We welcome men and women of all ages and experience levels to become a part of our ohana. We are all hula sisters and brothers with a similar passion, and we are always excited to welcome and embrace our new members as we celebrate a shared love of culture, ohana, dance, and self-improvement!
Established in Louisville KY in 2013.
Our efforts are on-going and ever-improving from the resources we are able to access to enhance our purpose. The wahine and kāne listed below deeply understand the importance and work extremely hard to make this effort a possibility in this area. They make immense sacrifice to keep these efforts going and growing no matter what as they value, respect, and are humbled by the sacredness and mana of the 'ike they gain and share through hula.
To better understand our learning and sharing efforts, click here for more background on our educational journey.
'IKE ROA
The ongoing quest for knowledge and wisdom. Our journey and purpose consists of seeking complete learning and new discovery. Life-long learning, the seeking of more knowledge, and sharing mana and 'ike is our sincere, deep passion.
MEGHAN
Director
What started out as a desperate internet search for a couple of wedding hula lessons has turned into a journey of connection to self, family, and culture. Meghan's paternal family is from Hawai'i, but never having lived there personally, it was often just a fun fact to be shared. But when she became a dedicated student of 'Ike Roa, she made a deeper connection with her own culture and family history than she ever thought possible. Being a student of hula has revealed what an honor it is to be kanaka maoli (Hawaiian Native) and how a love and appreciation for hula can connect us to others all over the world. Meghan's father has recently joined the hālau as a ho'opa'a (drummer and chanter) and her aunt dances in a hālau in California. Meghan's extended family enjoys dancing together whenever possible and discovering other hula dancers in their family lineage.
Meghan considers herself to be a humble sharer of the 'ike she learns. She loves learning the dances and has a deep passion to share both the moves and the meaning of hula. Hula also calls her to be an advocate for the Hawaiian people and the Islands. The two cannot be separated.
Outside of the studio, Meghan has her Master’s in social work and works as a victim advocate in the criminal justice system. It is a privilege to help people through times of crisis and trauma, and she tries to take the spirit of Aloha with her to whomever she meets.
Chris is from Oahu, Hawaii, but being a military brat brought him to Kentucky in1998. Growing up in Hawaii, he learned the dancing styles of Hula and Siva Samoa with his family. His daughter dances with the Keiki class and seeing her
dance brought back so many memories for him that he decided to become an instructor for the men’s class.
Chris currently works for Talaris Therapeutics as a Equipment Manager. Chris and his wife, RaShawn, have three children: DeMarcus, A’rayah, and CJ. Chris remains very dedicated in preserving, learning, and teaching the Polynesian culture
through dance.
CHRIS
Kāne Instructor
LAVINA
'Olapa
Lavina began her hula journey as a keiki growing up in Hawaii. After high school she earned the opportunity of a lifetime and was asked to join an international hula troupe. As a hula and ori dancer, Lavina traveled the world sharing the aloha spirit, dance and culture of Hawaii.
Lavina teaches at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and has a Master's Degree in Public Health. Being a island girl, her favorite time spent is at the beach with her husband Joey, son Nathan and their lovable dog Willie. Dancing hula keeps Lavina and her family connected to the islands.