Iwalani has a green thumb!

Kumu Hula Iwalani teaches hula, Tahitian and Maori poi-ball dance, and is passionate about her healing garden project now underway in Honouliuli Ewa Beach. She tends the garden which will soon be a spot for resting, relaxing and celebrating our Island lives. Iwalani works with volunteers workers and donors to create a place of beauty especially dedicated to those individuals and families imipacted by breast cancer.

Contact Iwalani to learn more about the Healing Garden and how you can help.

Salute to Iwalani

Kumu Hula Iwalani was recently recognized for her work with recovering disabled veterans at Tripler Hospital and Schofield Barracks. She met dedicated armed service men and women who have completed services for work disabilties.

Her work with U S Army personnel also was honored by US military and federal officials:

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Certificate of Appreciation
presented to
Iwalani School of Dance

For your professionalism and exemplary support to the Warrior Transition Battalion Tripler Army Medical Center in its mission during the Global War on Terror. Your commitment and dedication to the Soldiers and Family Members significantly contributed to the success of our mission in supporting Wounded Warriors injured as a result of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Nobel Eagle, and other related combat operations.

June 26, 2009 ~ Honolulu, Hawaii

Tripler Army Medical Center, HI
Warrior Transition Battalion – TAMC
Robert R. Zavala, CSM, USA, Command Sergeant Major
Harold P. Xenitelis, LTC, SC, Commanding

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Certificate of Appreciation
Presented to Iwalani Walsh Tseu
Iwalani School of Dance

For your outstanding Support and Assistance With the Hawaii Wounded Warrior Support Program

June 26, 2009 ~ Honolulu, Hawaii

Edward H. Kubo, Jr.
United States Attorney

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Dance Implements

Iwalani School of Dance: Open Registration

Iwalani School of Dance welcomes students each week who desire to learn to dance the hula, Tahitian and Maori-Poi Balls with kumu hula Iwalani.

Classes are for all ages, sometimes with students as young as 3 years old. Class meets three times each week, the schedule and locations follow:

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, from 4:30 until 5:30 at the Mililani Rec Center #5.
Saturday morning, we meet from 8:00 until noon at Kanoelani Elementary School in Waipio. Intermediate and teens meet at 8:00, and keikis from 3 to 9 join at 10 a.m.

New students will please call Iwalani, 623-6776, to begin the registration process and learn more about the school of dance.

Iwalani takes her aloha spirit to Egypt

Iwalani recently returned from a visit to Egypt, hihlighted by her Hawaiian chants in the ancient pyramids “honoring our ancestors. Our Island ancestors and the ancient Egyptians are alike in so many ways—an interest in astronomy, the management of water resources for crops, and a deep spirituality.” She showed traditional respect for Moslem religious customs by covering her head with a scarf in public. Iwalani communicated the aloha spirit by also wearing Hawaiian floral leis and flowers, as is her custom. She visited the Mohammed Ali Mosque in Cairo during prayers, where she joined other women in the mosque in silent reverence.

“I loved visiting the craftspeople at a papyrus factory and an alabastar workshop, and the young rug weavers in their apprenticeship with the masters. We also spent time with the oil and aroma therapy experts who have been fragrance specialists since the times even before Cleopatra,” said Iwalani.

While in Egypt, Iwalani traveled eight different ways: by auto, airplane, feluccas (Egypt’s traditional sailboats), bus, cruise ship, horse and buggy, and camel. “Just as we time-traveled through history, our transportation varied from the most ancient—riding by camelback—to a modern cruise ship on the Nile.”

On her return to her students at Iwalani School of Dance, she shared highlights of her adventures and pictures of landmarks in Egypt, over 8,000 miles from Honolulu. “It’s important to educate our children, and have them walk through history, and learn to appreciate the similarities of distant people and those of us here in Hawaii.”