Aloha!
Welcome to Kaimikahu Hale 'O Hula I Te Fa'a O Te Mahana. 

Kumu Kaimi Matthews Valdez, trained in both hula and tahitian, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and started dancing at the young age of 3 under the direction
of Kumu Hula Master and Composer John Pi'ilani Watkins.  When her family decided to move to California in 1975, she continued dancing with Kumu Naomi Leina’ala Kalama and then at age of 5 began dancing with Kamo's of Hawaii a.k.a. Kamohai's Hula Halau, under the direction of Joseph Kamoha’i Kahaulelio.

When Kaimi turned 7, her passion and love for hula grew and with the permission of Uncle Joe, decided to open her own halau and in 1979 began teaching hula and tahitian out of her garage.  This was the beginning of Kaimikahu Hale 'O Hula that was originally based in her hometown of Santa Clara, California and eventually expanded into the Salinas and Sacramento area.

In the summer of 1978, Kaimi entered Tahiti Fete in Sacramento where she placed 1^st  her age category and took overall for the Wahine division.  She took the same title in 1979 and 1982.

In 1983, Kaimi moved back to the island of ‘Oahu and took a break from teaching and attended Halau under the direction of Kumu Maiki Aiu Lake and then under John Keola Lake.  She also learned Tahitian from Tunui Tully.  In 1985 she moved back to California where she returned to teaching her halau again while also continuing to grow and enhance her skills at the same time under the direction of Kumu Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu.

In 1996, Kaimi’s family decided to move to Arizona where she now resides and continues to teach hula and tahitian and has been going strong for 13 years. 

     CURRENT EVENTS 2012
Exciting News for June!!!

Hula 'Olapa!!  Come check out this awesome Summer Workshop coming in June. Space is limited....save your spot!
Register now online at
http://halaukilioopu.webs.com/