HĀLAU MAKANA
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
ALAMEDA, CA
Jade Makana Iulio
Makana has been dancing her entire life. She is an accomplished international award-winning dancer, a teacher and community leader, and most importantly a forever student. She has taught, competed, performed, and studied in many countries around the world. She hopes to share as much as she can with her community as a means to uplift, encourage, and educate those around her.
Classes
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ADV Keiki Hula
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ADV Kupuna Hula
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ADV Adult 'Ori
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ADV Tamari'i 'Ori
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INT Adult 'Ori
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ADV Adult Hula
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'Ori Competition Training
Chanel Aquino
Chanel has been dancing 'Ori Tahiti and Hula with Hālau Makana since 2018. She has trained extensively in ’Ori Tahiti through workshops, competition, and study in Tahiti. She is a three-time 3rd-place competitor, earning 3rd Place at Manahere I ’Ori Tahiti 2019, Heiva I San Francisco 2022, and Heiva I San Francisco 2023.
She traveled to Tahiti in 2022 and 2023, earning Level 1 and Level 2 certifications from the Conservatoire Artistique de la Polynésie Française. She has also competed in ’Ori Tahiti Nui in 2022 and Hura Tapairu Manihini in 2023 under the director of Desiree and Kris Lee of O Hina'aro Nui, where their group placed 2nd. Throughout her training, Chanel has had the opportunity to learn under respected ’Ori Tahiti ra'atira including Kanani Lokelani, Hirohiti Tematahotoa, Moon Urima, and Desiree Lee.
Her teaching style is hands-on and learn-by-doing, with an emphasis on helping students understand the movement through mind-body connection and awareness, while also developing both graceful and powerful expression. She pays close attention to detail and wants to ensure that every student understands the technique, feels supported, and leaves class with something to build on.
Classes
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BEG Keiki Hula (3-5 year olds)
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BEG Adult 'Ori
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BEG Adult Hula
Dorothy Bolmer
Dorothy is a Bay Area native who was blessed with two dancing parents and three musical sisters! She has studied ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop and, of course, Hula.
She joined the Golden State Warriors' Senior Dance Team in their inaugural year of 2018 and enjoyed being a member of the Hardwood Classics for seven amazing seasons!!
Currently, Dorothy is enjoying her 12th year with Hālau Makana, both teaching and learning. She hopes to keep the legacy alive of her two favorite dancers-her Mom and Kumu Lani!
Classes
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INT Adult Hula
Farrah Morin
Farrah is a passionate dancer who has been dancing with Hālau Makana for ten years. She has built an understanding of our teaching style and has learned to dance in her own style throughout the years. Farrah has experience dancing performatively and competitively, winning third place in the ‘Aparima ‘Urataetae Toa category at the 4th Annual ‘Ori Nui San Francisco competition in 2026.
Farrah has a very personal dance style consisting of controlled and expressive movements. When teaching, Farrah focuses on small details and overall technique. She likes to incorporates humor into her lessons while also providing a professional environment. Farrah hopes to help her students feel a sense of improvement from her teaching and is also focusing on herself as a student trying to improve and grow as well.
Classes
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INT Adult 'Ori
Marlowe Hicks
Marlowe (“Marley”) has been dancing with Hālau Makana since she was 7 years old. She has performed with us both professionally and competitively, becoming a finalist in both her first and second ’ori competitions. Most recently, she took home 2nd place in the Beginner Tamahine 9–12 division at the Manahere I Ori Tahiti 2026 competition.
As a teacher, Marley embraces a gentle, visual approach to learning. She prefers to demonstrate movements rather than simply explain them, giving students the space to observe, absorb, and interpret what they see in their own way. Her personal dance style is flowy, contemporary, and fun, encouraging dancers to connect with the movement and express themselves authentically. Marley is an incredibly talented and genuine soul whose gentle teaching style creates a welcoming space for students to explore, grow, and find their own expression through dance.
Classes
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BEG/INT Tamari'i 'Ori
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BEG Keiki Hula (6-10 year olds)
Angel Montgomery
Angel loves to dance. She started dancing as a child in her living room with her grandma, learning rhythm and salsa steps to the beat of the clave. She learned Hula while a graduate student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Angel began dancing at Hālau Makana in 2022 with her two daughters who were 2 and 5 at the time. The welcoming students at Hālau Makana eventually convinced her to try 'Ori Tahiti and has been learning 'Ori since! She likes to focus on mastering the basics and meeting students where they are at, practicing aloha in her teaching and her dancing.
Assistant Instructor to all BEG classes
