May 15, 2017

Meet Lyn-Del (Laua’e) Pedersen of Aloha Hula Dance Studio in Granada Hills

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyn-Del (Laua’e) Pedersen.

Lyn-Del (Laua’e), please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been dancing since I was 5 years old and have been a professional dancer for over 25 years. I come from a family background of Polynesian Entertainers and Cultural upbringing. My parents, Aunties and Uncles were all my teachers. As a child, my basics were taught to me by Napua Wood and Telu Mansfield. As a young adult, I studied Tahitian dance under Tevahini Blake.

My Father, Mother and all my aunties were Polynesian Entertainers. Which meant they performed dances of many Pacific Island cultures. Hula, Tahitian, Samoan, etc…. They did this for a living back in the 60’s and early 70’s so I have been around Polynesian culture, music and dancing all my life. My mother and several family members were in movies that required dancers. My mother was in Paradise Hawaiian Style with Elvis Presley, and also in Lt. Robinson Crusoe with Dick Van Dyke, of course playing an Island girl. My parents performed all over the U.S, at various well known Polynesian Themed restaurants and Night Clubs that were popular during that time period. So my sister and I were on the road a lot. It all seemed very glamorous to me. I wanted to grow up and be just like them.

So, when I grew up I became a Professional Polynesian dancer in my 20’s at Don the Beachcomber in Marina Del Rey, Ca. with a group called the Okalani’s. I loved performing there because it was what I had dreamed of doing as a young girl watching my parents perform in front of bright eyed audiences. I loved the costumes, the bright lights, the dances, the glamour, etc… but soon I realized I wanted to learn more about the culture and I began to seek out teachers and sources of information. I quickly gained a “new” respect for the Polynesian culture but “Hula” specifically as my Aunties were all of Hawaiian Blood. This new respect I gained was not only because of the vast history that is passed down through Hula, or the beauty and the grace of it all, or the healing that hula can bring to mind, body and soul, but more specifically the wisdom and humility of the Hawaiian People…the Aloha spirit. I found myself to be very humbled by it all.

As I continued my studies, I was fortunate enough to be more exposed to the Tahitian culture as well and therefore gained that same respect. The Tahitian culture is also a vibrant culture full of rich history, and beauty, tradition, generosity and love. People who do not know often think Tahitian and Hula are the same thing. They are not. So, I knew that I wanted to share my knowledge and love for Hula and Ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance) and to help perpetuate these cultures. So, in 2006 I started teaching out of my home with the intent to provide students with an understanding of the origins of traditions and their importance along with learning to dance. I started with a few keiki (children) in my home and from there the word spread. It soon became whole families joining Aloha Hula (in one form or another) and within a year I had 85 people in and out of the house. In 2007, we moved to a store front location up the street from my home. In 2008, we outgrew that location and had to move to our present location. We are now 200 haumana (students) strong. We are a family based studio. My husband and all 5 of my children either dance or play music. My two oldest sons, and my daughter teach, choreograph and help me manage our ever-growing Aloha Hula Ohana.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have been fortunate in that I had a lot of support when I started teaching out of my house. My Aunty Ilima Russell and Uncle Charlie Kiaha played a big part in me starting to teach. They supported me and introduced me to people they felt were important in the Polynesian Community and that would help me grow. From that I formed more relationships and support systems through the years.

There have been some bumps along the way some growing pains, sure. The studio grew very quickly and trying to manage that I soon learned I could not do on my own. So, along with my family I have a great administration team in place that helps me with the day to day. They are also my eyes and ears.

It is always a challenge when someone comes in expecting one thing and then it is something else entirely. I take it very serious in that if you are not there for the right reasons, if you do not respect the culture or if you do not respect the rules of the studio then I will ask you to leave. So, I have had to ask a few to leave. Sometimes, that is ok with me and sometimes it is hard for me. I assume everyone will have the same passion and love I have for the culture and when they don’t it can be disappointing.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
At the Aloha Hula Dance Studio, we provide a family based learning environment. We nurture and develop the traditions of the Polynesian people through instruction in the performing, music, and folk arts of Polynesia. Beginning with a foundation in Hula & Tahitian dance, which encompasses the essence of cultural history and customs, Aloha Hula provides students with an understanding of the origins of traditions, while also encouraging new expressions of Polynesian arts, music, and dance. Inspired by our motto, “Imua” (to move forward), we strive to grow in a deeper understanding and appreciation of all Polynesian cultures.

We share the Polynesian culture through community involvement. Our students volunteer to perform in their local neighborhood street fairs, schools and churches. They perform at several Hawaiian festivals (Ho’olau’lea’s) every year all over Southern California. In 2015, they participated in a concert, “Kaulana Na Pua” presented by the Southern California Kumu Hula Association.

Aloha Hula also has an Ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance) competition team made up of adults, teens and children. They compete throughout the year all over California. In 2015, some of her students had the honor to travel to Tahiti to compete in Ori Tahiti and most recently in 2016 some of our students traveled to Hilo, Hawai’i for an Ori Tahiti soloist competition

We have performed at some of the finest venues in California, Ford Amphitheater, The Orpheum, Valley Performing Arts Center, JACCC, Soka University.

Our haumana are all ages, all skill levels, all shapes, all sizes and come from all different kinds of backgrounds. We believe this diversity makes our “Hale Hula” House of Hula beautiful and strong.

I have so many eager haumana (students) that want to learn about these remarkable cultures. The kuleana (responsibility) that I have to protect and perpetuate the Hawaiian and Tahitian culture is very humbling and one that I take very seriously. It is with great humility in my heart that I say I am truly blessed.

We are family owned and ohana operated. The whole studio pitches in and watches out for each other. I have watched some of our keiki (children) grow up and go off to college. Some students leave to get married and have children and come right back as soon as they could. Some come to hang out even when they do not have class. I love that about our studio. I love that people feel safe there. I love that they feel the Aloha.

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