Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu

My name is Reginia Lynne Ka’a’oaolahilahiokeohokalole Butler Jingao and I am part of a long line of Bells and Lincolns from Kohala, Hawai’i. I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

My love and inspiration for hula comes from my late grandmother, Annie Kahalelehua Lincoln of Mahukona Kohala. She believed that the cultural significance of hula allows a dancer to connect to his or her heritage. She taught me to honor the Hawaiian values of being humble, of listening, of being still, and of understanding and caring for the ‘ike given to me. In my family, hula is an expression of love and I hope to pass this love of hula to my daughter who will one day pass it on to her daughter to keep our legacy of hula alive.

I have studied under four kumu hula, Uncle George Holokai, Aunty Helen Kamauu (Hoakalei), Aunty Helen Hewlewn and Kumu Hula Sonny Ching.

My kumu Sonny Ching encouraged me to start leading hula classes at Pāki Park after he opened his hālau. Hula also led me to partnering with the Kalihi Pālama and Arts program.

My first ‘ūniki as an ‘olapa was back in 1993; I was appointed to be an alaka’i for Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu that same year. In October of 2011 seven of us participated in an ‘ūniki ceremony that would introduce us into the world of hula as kumu hula from the lineage of Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu. In becoming a kumu hula I have been given the kuleana to pass on the knowledge that was given to me by my kumu and all those who came before him.

I am excited to start writing the next chapter of my life as a kumu hula. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me.