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Sonny Ching's halau is often called upon by State and City agencies to assist
and perform at various official functions and performances, such as the dedication
of the Leopapa and Supreme Court buildings. In 1993, the halau was an integral
part of the Onipa'a 100th anniversary celebration.
Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu was founded on March 24,1986 with a group
of 20 kupuna (seniors) at Paki Park under the City and County of Honolulu.
Haumana (students) are keikimahine (girls), keiki kane (boys), wahine (women),
kane (men) and kupuna (seniors) whose ages range from 5 to 75 and has
a membership of 367 multi national students in Hawai'i. Halau Na Mamo O
Pu'uanahulu is one of the largest in the State of Hawai'i. The halau is
structured with a General Manager, Haunani Ching along with eleven (11)
Alaka'i (director), fourteen (14) Ho'opa in training, and thirteen (13) Class Po'os
(head) and kokua (assistants). Two classes are held Monday through
Thursday with six classes on Saturday for a total of 14 weekly classes.
Kumu Hula Sonny Ching and his halau are recognized as one of the leading
groups practicing, preserving, and living the Hawaiian culture today.
Through the language, music, chant and the history that accompanies the
mele and the subject of the mele. Ching also has students in La Paz,
Mexico as well as over 300 students in Japan.
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