Kumu Tamara Moana Silva, was born and raised in Kāne’ohe, Hawai’i, on the island of O’ahu. She now resides in Applegate, California, and has established her hālau in Rocklin, California.
Kumu Moana has been dancing hula for over forty years. When she was just four years old in Kailua, it was Kumu Emily Rosabella Kawehionapua Richards (“Aunty Bella”), who first instilled in her a passion for hula and the Hawaiian culture. Aunty Bella taught her the art and dance of hula and the discipline that comes with it. When moving to California, Kumu Moana continued her studies with Loea Naomi Kalama in Sacramento and also danced for Loea Kalama’s nephew, Kumu Ka’aumoana Kalama. In 2009, Kumu Moana started teaching hula in Auburn, California.
In February of 2010, Kumu Moana was given the opportunity to become a haumāna (student) of Hawaiian Hula Master, Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. She successfully completed formal training in hula kahiko (traditional ancient dance) and participated in a formal ‘Ūniki (graduation) Ceremony at Loea’s home, Kahalelehua, on the Big Island of Hawai’i, in May of 2012. She is honored to be a part of Loea Kawaikapuokalani’s lineage and currently continues her education and journey with him to perpetuate this unique and beautiful Hawaiian culture. In addition, Kumu Moana is currently part of a language program through a grant from the ANA (Administration for Native Americans) that is developing a community-based Hawaiian Language Curriculum incorporating traditional dance, song, and chanting. The project seeks to establish a self-sustaining language program to encourage and promote Hawaiian language (‘ōlelo Hawai’i), culture, and traditions for Native Hawaiians living in California.
Kumu Moana established Hālau Hula O Moana in 2010, known today as Kūhai Hālau O Moana Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko (Rocklin). Her Hālau’s new name was given to her by Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and was passed down from his hula lineage of Kumu Emma De Fries. Her classes consist of kahiko (traditional ancient dance) and ‘auana (modern hula) with its wonderful history, language, songs and chants, as well as Tahitian and Maori dances.
Kūhai Hālau O Moana Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko is an award winning competitive hālau that offers classes for all ages and levels, as well as a basics class where no prior experience is needed. Workshops, retreats, event entertainment, and private lessons are also available.
Hula and perpetuating her Hawaiian culture is a heartfelt passion of Kumu Moana. She shares her love for the art of hula with all who are interested through the guidance of Ke Akua (God) and the “Aloha Spirit” she brings from the beautiful islands of Hawai’i.
E Ho’omau Ka Hā O Ka Hawai’i
Perpetuating the Breath of Hawai’i