Artistic Timeline
Four decades of performance, recording, teaching, and cultural stewardship — from Washington, DC to world stages.
Commemorating Alice Ball
One of the goals of Pōpoloheno is to share the stories of amazing people such as Alice Ball. When these are commemorated in hula, the story will live on! READ MORE >>
With Jim Kimo West and George Kahumoku
Magically beautiful music with Jim Kimo West and George Kahumoku.
Merrie Monarch Week Performance with Kalani Peʻa
Merrie Monarch Week performance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo College of Hawaiian Language with Kalani Peʻa. READ MORE >>
Hula at Yoshi’s
Sharing a hula with slack key masters Sonny Lim, Led Kaapana and George Kahumoku at Yoshi’s.
Meet up with Bobby McFerrin
Recording Academy Songwriter and Composer meet up with Bobby McFerrin.
A Lei For Reverend King
Presenting “A Lei For Reverend King” at the Museum of the African Diaspora. READ MORE >>
San Francisco Chapter Nominee Event
Celebrating my colleagues at the San Francisco Chapter Nominee Event!
Museum of the African Diaspora
Delighted to have been invited to present my research on Pōpoloheno - Songs of Resistance & Joy by the Museum of the African Diaspora.
Kapo - Laka Book
Honored to have contributed a chapter to this beautiful book, Kapo - Laka.
The thrill of finding my books on sale!
It is always thrilling to find my book on sale at various outlets in Hawaiʻi, especially during Merrie Monarch time!
East Coast Branch of Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine
With members of the East Coast Branch of Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine.
Uncle George Kahumoku
I had the distinct honor and pleasure of performing with multiple Grammy Award winner Uncle George Kahumoku.
Other Pōpoloheno Performances
In addition to the concert, there were multiple opportunities to perform the music of Pōpoloheno; with Hawaiʻi’s First Lady of Jazz Azure McCall at Yoshi’s, with Kalani Peʻa at the Hawaiʻi Theater, and again at the Blue Note. READ MORE >>
Pōpoloheno CD Release Concert
The Pōpoloheno CD Release Concert at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts was amazing! It featured performances by the esteemed artists who appear on the CD, including multiple Grammy Award winning artist, Kalani Peʻa.
Celebrating Kalani Peʻa's 4th Grammy Award
Being sung to by 4-time Grammy Award winner, Kalani Peʻa.
67th Annual Grammy Awards
The talented Kiazi Malonga was my escort to the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
Finishing the Pōpoloheno Recording
While we were finishing up the recording of Pōpoloheno, we entered the Kūpuna of Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine in the Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition in Kahului, Maui where they performed one of the songs from the album, Pua Laulele. They were awarded 1st Place in their division!
Keola and Kapono Beamer
In my college years, Keola and Kapono Beamer were among of my favorite recording artists. Imagine my delight to learn that they were both in the audience for our matinee performance of Wai Ola! Pictured our Keola Beamer and his lovely wife Moanalani.
Wai Ola Honolulu performance
The Honolulu performance of Wai Ola was pure magic!
Hawaiʻi State Foundation of Culture and the Arts
I was delighted to partner with these esteemed Kumu Hula Kiʻi Mauliola Cook and Maile Loo-Ching. We were featured in a lovely exhibit at the Hawaiʻi State Foundation of Culture and the Arts. READ MORE >>
Wai Ola Performance
While in Honolulu, I began promotions for our upcoming performance of Wai Ola.
First Pōpoloheno Tracks
The very first tracks of Pōpoloheno were recorded in Honolulu with these lovely folks! Nathaniel Māhealani Stillman on bass, Daniel & Nani Carvalho of Kailua Moon on guitar and vocals.
Recording Pōpoloheno - Songs of Resilience & Joy
2024 was the year of managing two separate major projects, the recording process for Pōpoloheno - Songs of Resilience & Joy, and the performance tour for Wai Ola - ʻAukele and the Waters of Life. I recorded the Pōpoloheno theme song in January.
Mbira Book
I was thrilled to find that my book The Mbira - An African Musical Tradition was on sale at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.
Kōkua Maui
Kōkua Maui. We were proud to participate in several fundraisers to support the community of Lāhaina, Maui in the wake of the devastating fire they endured. READ MORE >>
Wai Ola Premiere
Wai Ola premiered at Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda, California with two sold-out performances. READ MORE >>
Wai Ola Rehearsals
We held rehearsals for Wai Ola with nā Kumu Mauliola Cook and Maile Loo-Ching joining us online.
Star Trek conventions
I must admit that I have been a huge Star Trek fan since the original series first came out during the 1960s. Nowadays, I am always thrilled to meet some of the actors whenever I have the chance. READ MORE >>
Summer Bash
Our very first live performance after the pandemic was at the Summer Bash in Newark, California.
Black Renaissance
Being mostly at home during the pandemic gave me the opportunity to complete my second book, The Mbira - An African American Musical Tradition. I was delighted to be featured on the program Black Renaissance.
Studio Re-opening
We were overjoyed to finally be able to come back together for in-person classes at the studio. The first thing we did was to have a party and dance!
Hula at Gambia Academy
During the pandemic, I had the honor of remotely teaching the hula to students go the Gambia Academy, created by the amazing Sona Jobarteh.
Pandemic zoom classes
In 2020 we went completely online and stayed there for close to two years. Everyone staying together in this way made it possible for us to keep our new studio for our return.
Kora
Just before the pandemic I finally started study of the kora, and instrument I have been wanting to learn for years. Being stuck inside was actually a great time for me to get really acquainted with it.
Protocol with Hālau O Kekuhi
We had the honor of sharing protocol with Hālau O Kekuhi , welcoming them to Berkeley for their performance at Zellerbach Hall.
Pasifika CD Release Concert
Pasifika CD Release Concert at Rhythmix Cultural Works.
Recording Project Flying Leap
Honored to participate in the recording project Flying Leap by Caroline McCaskey.
Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame
The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Halekūlani Hotel in Honolulu. I came to celebrate the induction of my dear friend and colleague Saichi Kawahara. READ MORE >>
Spirit in Motion series
I was invited to curate a series of presentations in sacred movement called Spirit in Motion, which features a different sacred tradition monthly from March through June.
New MUCID is here!
Our brand new studio home opened on March 1st with a blessing ceremony and a fun celebration!
Mitambo yeKare Festival of Zimbabwe
I co-produced, along with Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, an event called Mitambo yeKare Festival of Zimbabwe. It featured wonderful performances of traditional Shona music and dance by Anzanga Marimba Ensemble, Piwai, the Chinyakare Ensemble and Mafaro e Zimbabwe.
Last Old Studio performance
After 25 years of creating dance and music in West Berkeley, we lost our lease to our beautiful studio home. We said goodbye with our last fundraiser, and last class. This was our very last performance there. READ MORE >>
61st Grammy Awards
What a delight to step out at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards with my handsome son Hoku! It was fun and exciting to witness the ceremony in person.
Curating Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive Performances
I was honored to be invited to curate a series of performances for the Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive. The program was called Full and featured performances on the night of the full moon from January through March.
Performance with Grammy Award Winner Kalani Peʻa
In January, my Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine was invited to perform with Grammy Award Winner Kalani Peʻa at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. READ MORE >>
Māhealani Uchiyama Day in Berkeley
The City of Berkeley proclaimed January 22, as Māhealani Uchiyama Day. Wow! This is a little bit of our thank you to Berkeley City Council the night of the proclamation.
MUCID 25th Anniversary Gala
We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance with a gala concert featuring our beloved community, faculty and students. READ MORE >>
Ka ʻAha Hula o Hālauaola
Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine participated in the 5th and final Ka ʻAha Hula o Hālauaola at Hilo during the historic 2018 eruption of Kīlauea. The Hālau has attended every one of the Hālauaola, beginning in Hilo in 2001, Maui in 2005, Oʻahu in 2009, and Kauaʻi in 2014. READ MORE >>
Co-Artistic Director of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
In 2018 I was appointed as co-Artisitc Director of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival along with my esteemed colleagues Kumu Patrick Makuakāne and Latanya Tigner. We presented the 40th Anniversary of this beloved Festival at the San Francisco Opera House.
Kū Mai Ka Hula Festival
I brought my lovely Kupuna dancers for a 3rd appearance at the Kū Mai Ka Hula Festival on Maui.
San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival Final Bow
Final bow of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival at the San Francisco Opera House.
Opening the SF Ethnic Dance Festival
I had the distinct pleasure to open the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival season at the San Francisco Opera House with a welcome statement to our audience.
Haumāna Hula Handbook reading at Basically Books in Hilo
I was invited to do a book presentation at Basically Books in Hilo, Hawaiʻi during the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Where the River Meets the Sea
So blessed to perform with my Sister-of-the-Heart, award-winning Native American Flute Artist, Rona Yellow Robe in Where the River Meets the Sea, an Evening of Sacred Music.
Haumāna Hula Handbook published
What began as a collection of notes given to my students back in the 1980ʻs evolved to the Haumāna Hula Handbook. It was eventually published by North Atlantic Books | Penguin Random House.
Hawaiian Music Festival
Performing at the Freight and Salvage during the Hawaiian Music Festival in celebration of receiving Ke Kanaka Poʻokela (Person of Distinction) Award. Mahalo Patrick Landeza!
Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition
Our first time at this prestigious hula competition on the island of Maui. We placed 2nd! READ MORE >>
Hollywood Bowl performance
Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine performed for Summer Sounds at the Hollywood Bowl. Summer Sounds was a childrensʻ performance series produced by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. READ MORE >>
Hoʻolaha
The collaboration between Hālau Nā Mamo Nōʻeau, Hālau o Keikialiʻi and Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine during the Hālauaola hula conference of 2014 lead to a project of presentations and a stage concert celebrating how hula has really spanned the globe! READ MORE >>
First Kāpili Polynesian Dance Workshops
View this post on Instagram at @mahealaniuchiyama. READ MORE >>
Teaching mbira
I received support from the City of Oakland to teach mbira to the community. READ MORE >>
Makaha Sons performance
My dancers performed for the Makaha Sons. This was also a dream come true!
ʻOhana released
Dedicated to my mom who transitioned not long before this song was composed, and to all moms. Celebrate and honor the connection of family both here on earth and those who have gone before us and are in generations to come.
MUCID 20th Anniversary Gala
We celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a gala concert at Regents Theater in Oakland.
The Sky that Covers Us All release
My second CD of Mbira music from Zimbabwe.
Tatau Tupuna performance at Tahiti Fete of San Jose
Our last appearance at the Tahiti Fete of San Jose closed with this haunting tribute to the elders and the ancestors who held the stories of their people in the tattoos that they wore. READ MORE >>
A Walk by the Sea released
A Walk by the Sea is released, a chronicle of my life journey in song. This CD won the 2007 Hawaiʻi Music Award for Best World Music.
Tahiti tour & Heiva performances
I brought my dancers back to Tahiti for our 3rd tour and we performed throughout the island of Tahiti during the Heiva. READ MORE >>
My first visit to Zimbabwe
A chance to study mbira at the feet of the masters of the tradition.
A Walk by the Sea Concert
The concert inspired the CD which was released the following year. READ MORE >>
Performance at the National Museum of New Zealand
I toured with my dancers to Aotearoa to perform at beautiful Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum of New Zealand. READ MORE >>
My first visit to Senegal
Here I am at historic Goree Island, Senegal, the departure point of many of our ancestors from the Continent of Africa to the Americas.
Tatau CD released
Tatau is my first all-Tahitian CD release and includes Pua Noanoa.
Merrie Monarch Festival Week
Some of the most fun Iʻve had at the Merrie Monarch has been performing in Hilo during the Festival Week with Kumu Rae Fonseca and Kumu Kawika Alfiche.
Black Pearl Documentary of Tahitian Tour
Our first performance tour was filmed and produced into a documentary called Black Pearl. It won 1st place at the Berkeley Film Festival. READ MORE >>
First Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola
Hula Ceremony for the very first Ka ʻAha Hula ʻO Hālauaola in Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
Visiting India
I visited India with my Sister-of-the-Heart, Lakshmi.
First Haumāna Hula Handbook
The first iteration of the Haumāna Hula Handbook was self-published and made available to the public.
Mele Hula released
Mele Hula Album was released in 1998.
Tuahine Rain CD Released
I had never contemplated recording a CD before, but then I met Ashley Moore, who encouraged me to try it. Tuahine Rain was my first commercial release.
1990s
In this decade I was a young mom and in adjunct faculty mode splitting my time between two different campuses as well as my own studio, which I opened in 1993. I also began to teach and perform Egyptian dance and tried my hand at modeling.
Early MUCID
I opened my studio on Heinz Avenue with the goal of having a nurturing, inclusive place for the community to come together and learn culturally specific dance and music in a supportive environment. READ MORE >>
First Competition
This was the very first time I trained dancers to go out and compete. It was for the old Kaleponi Hula at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. READ MORE >>
1980s
I opened my first hālau, Leiānuenue, in 1983. We came in 1st in our first competition, placed in many others, and performed in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. READ MORE >>
Tiny Dancer
I'm so thankful to my mom for getting me started dancing at the age of 2 ½ at one of the only (or perhaps the only?) dance studios in Washington, DC that would take Black children, the Northeast Academy of Dance. READ MORE >>