Offerings
Workshops
Māhealani brings 40+ years of professional experience as a performer and instructor of hula and ʻori Tahiti, and 25 years as an mbira player. She offers workshops and seminars in the following disciplines:
Hawaiian Hula
The hula is the national dance of the Hawaiian people. It is a dance form which interprets stories, prayers and poems. A workshop in hula kahiko or ʻauana will focus on traditional technique and historical background incorporated in the dance instruction.
ʻOri Tahiti
Tahitian dance is recognized for its intricate hip isolations performed to the rhythms of a traditional drum orchestra, as well as for its graceful interpretations of beautiful melodies.
Mbira
The mbira is a unique and mystical form of music from Zimbabwe with a canon of songs which can be traced back to over 1000 years.
Author Events
Music performance, conversation, signed copies, sneak previews and yes, sharing excerpts of the publications the Haumāna Hula Handbook or The Mbira – An African Musical Tradition are all featured at Māhealaniʻs book readings.
Lectures / Speaking
Māhealani offers in depth and fascinating topics such as the connection between the Civil Rights Movement and the Movement for Hawaiian Sovereignty, the stories of people of African descent in Hawaiian history, and more.
Officiant
Māhealani offers Bridal Blessing, Couple Blessings, Wedding Ceremonies, House Blessings, Naming Ceremonies and End of Life Celebrations, all of which are imbued with cultural and Spiritual meaning.
Her artistry isn't confined to the stage. It moves through her - in the way she speaks about her heritage, in the grace of her gestures, in how she holds space for the past and the present to meet. There's a reserve in her approach, yet it never feels distant. It's human, immediate - like the echo of something familiar you can't quite name.
As an African-American woman who found her primary creative path in the Hawaiian tradition of hula, Uchiyama is versed in learning a sacred art form via relationships with indigenous practitioners. As co-artistic director of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival since 2018, she's been a binding force for elevating dance traditions from around the world in the Bay Area.
About Mahea
Learn more about Māhealani Uchiyama and her artistic journey.