HURAITI MANA
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​Ha'amana | to empower

Huraiti Mana is a Polynesian Dance Troupe based in Seattle, Washington and led by Ra'atira a Ha'api'i, Kalei'okalani Matsui. Huraiti Mana is dedicated to creating a welcoming community infused with much laughter, shared stories, and passionate work. We perpetuate deeply rooted values of cultural pride, family, and love through lessons in hula and 'ori Tahiti. Culture is about encouragement and empowerment, and that is what we hope to share with you at Huraiti Mana. "​A moe na te hiro'a. A moe na te iho tumu. E Huraiti Mana tātou." Think about your culture. Think about your identity. We are Huraiti Mana. 

Te Mau Ta'ata Arata'i i te Pupu | troupe leaders

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Ra'atira Pupu, Group Leader - Kalei'okalani Matsui
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Arata'i, leader - Brandi
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Te 'Ahu Arata'i, Lead Designer - Marisol
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Workshop Series Coordinator Assistant - Krystine
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Sound Technician, Merchandise Director - Kitman
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Pūpahu, lead dancer - Katie
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Metua Arata'i, Lead Parent - Aunty Jessie
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Workshop Series Coordinator Assistant - Eci
Our additional team members:
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Intermediate Performance team - Bianca
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Intermediate Performance Team - Inah
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Intermediate Performance Team - Christine
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Fēti'i Paturu, Support Family - Franada 'Ohana

Ha'api'i | to teach, to learn

He Kanaka Maoli a Kepanī a Pākē a Pā'ele 'O Kalei'okalani Onzuka Mastsui. 'O Wai'anae kona home hānau e a ka e noho 'oia i Seattle i kēia manawa me kona ipo a kona aloha 'O Kitman. He ha'api'i no Pupu 'Ori a Hula 'O Huraiti Mana 'O Kalei. Kalei'okalani Onzuka Matsui is of Kanaka Maoli, Japanese, Chinese, and Black heritage and was born and raised in Wai'anae, O'ahu, living now in Seattle with her sweetheart and love, Kitman. Kalei is the ha'api'i of Polynesian Dance Troupe, Huraiti Mana. She began dancing at six years old with Lokelani Polynesian Revue in Nānākuli. After her 'uniki, Kalei continued training with Polynesian Dance Troupe Ma'ohi Nui, performing and competing professionally both internationally and in island-wide Heiva. She also trained with the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus Hawaiian Ensemble with Kumu Kaleo Trinidad and with Aunty Makalapua of Hālau Hula 'O Mililani of Wai'anae. Since moving to Washington in 2009, Kalei led classes with many organizations across Seattle. She created original 'ori Tahiti and hula at Seattle University for the Hui 'O Nani Hawai'i club for 7 years. Kalei opened Hula Mai 'Oe, an after-school program as a Master Teaching Artist through Arts Corps, an organization providing equal opportunity for creative programs in schools with children of predominantly low-income communities of color, engaging them in conversations and practice of community, identity, and racial equality. She also taught with Families of Color Seattle (FŌCS) as a part of the FOCSarts program, providing multi-cultural arts classes for toddlers. Kalei'okalani is the 2017-2018 recipient of the Jubilation Foundation Fellowship Award, granted to teaching artists with exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm - as expressed in music and dance. With Huraiti Mana, Kalei opens her independent teachings publicly to students of all ages, learning from each and instilling in each significant values of cultural exchange and identity. As well as Ra'atira (leader), Kalei considers herself ha'api'i, a word of reo Tahiti or the Tahitian language meaning both to teach and to learn. As Kalei continues teaching, she learns and gains tenfold, the knowledge of her huraiti, her cultures, and her self. Kalei aspires to continue teaching, studying, and sharing the love of her people. ​

Organizations we love

  • 4 Culture
  • 4 Days of Aloha
  • 21 Progress
  • API Chaya
  • API Heritage Month Celebration
  • Arts Corps
  • Chief Seattle Club
  • Duwamish River Festival
  • Duwamish Tribe
  • Families of Color Seattle
  • International Community Health Services​
  • ​​International Examiner​
  • ​Jubilation Foundation​
  • Live Aloha Festival
  • Northwest Folklife
  • Rainier Beach BAAMFest
  • Seattle Asian American Film Festival
  • Seattle Children's Festival
  • Seattle Poi Company 
  • Sharon H. Chang
  • ​The Meridian School
  • UTOPIA
  • ​Wing Luke Museum

"Long was my journey on the path to seek a place in this world. I now clearly see and understand the home within my heart.”
"He Hawai'i Au" by Ron Rosha & Peter Moon"
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​Established 2016 Seattle, WA 
© HURAITI MANA huraitimana@gmail.com

Photography by Sharon H. Chang
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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Gallery
  • Programs
    • Dance Classes
    • Performance
    • Fresh Flower Lei-Making
    • Workshop Series
    • Annual Fa'a'ori
  • Current Events
  • Contact