About our halau

Non-competitive hālau hula (hula school) serving Seattle's Eastside (Issaquah, Sammamish, Bellevue, Redmond, Maple Valley).  Each Summer we celebrate with a  Hō'ike performance.  We also perform at various local community events, including cultural fairs, parties, and for residents of senior living facilities.  Join us!

Laura Melelani Bergstrom has been actively studying dance since the age of 3.  With a focus on the Hawaiian hula, she formally studied the Polynesian dance arts for 17 years.  Kumu Hula during this time were the Shiela Clark School of Dance, Juanita Leilani Jaeger and Pua Case.  Laura's primary kumu hula, Juanita, was a student of Aunty Marge Lehualani Hunt, who was a student of Emma "Mama" Kahelelani Bishop and Mary Kawena Pukui.  A life-long and enthusiastic learner of all things HULA, Laura has had the privilege of taking numerous workshops from some very big names in the world of hula:  George Na'ope, Joseph Kamoha'i Kaha'ulelio, Nona Beamer, Emma Sharpe, Leilani Sharpe Mendez, John Ka'imikaua, John Kaha'i Topolinski, Tiare Maka-Olanolan Clifford, Palani Kahala, Leina'ala Kalama Heine, Mililani Allen, Roselle Bailey, Lorraine Joshua, Pi`ilani Lua, Newton Ka'anohi Hitchcock, Van Kaili Francisco, Willie Pulawa, Tony Conjugacion, Kanani Brighter, Michael Pili Pang, Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, Manu Boyd, Vicky Holt Takamine, Leialoha Lim Amina, Ed Collier, Kanoelehua Miller, 'Iwalani Kalima, Kale Pawai, Pohai Souza, Lani Girl Kaleiki-AhLo, Keali'i Reichel, Snowbird Bento, Kuana Torres Kahele and Tunui Tully, among many others.  In addition, Laura studied the Hawaiian language and culture under Pua Case for 3 years.  Laura, AKA "Melelani" (meaning 'heavenly song'), was a member of the Hui O  

Nā Kumu Hula, a Pacific Northwest based association of teachers of Hawaiian dance, from 1981-2005, and served as an officer on its board, including as President, for 14 years.