Meet Our Team

Kellie Kalehua Villicano

Aloha Kākou/’Ia orana/Kia ora/Talofa! my name is Kellie Villicano. I have been dancing Hawaiian hula since 1994 and 'Ori Tahiti since 1997. I was taught in Gardena, California from Kumu Hula, Kanani Kalama of Kanani Kalama Hula Studio whose lineage goes back to Puanani Alama in Honolulu, Hawai’i. I have competed twice in E Hula Mau hula competition in Irvine, CA and have performed every year in the annual Ho'olaule'a in Lawndale, CA. I continued my passion for Polynesian dance when I moved to New Mexico in 2005 by dancing in another local group, Hawaiian Pride, Rio Rancho. I started Ka Lā Kapu to increase the diversity of Polynesian dancing and knowledge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I continue to grow in my own education by attending hula and Tahitian workshops by world renown Kumu/Ra'atira, such as Adelina Hinemanea, Tiana Liufau, Mahealani Hirao-Solem, Moena Maiotui and Kuana Torres Kahele as well as staying connected with my kumu hula, Kanani Kalama for guidance and also to keep the lineage of her hula alive. I am excited to teach my knowledge and passion to my haumāna (students) and to share the Aloha with the community.

Lehua Lopez

Lehua Lopez, a native Hawaiian cultural anthropologist, has been researching Hawaiian culture for more than 40 years.  Born and raised in Hawai`i Nei, Ms. Lopez has taught keiki (children) and adult classes in Hawaiian culture for more than 35 years.  She is a gifted presenter and delights her audiences with mesmerizing stories and complex insights. To stay up to date about her upcoming culture classes, be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter: http://www.abqpolynesia.com/contact

Meiguey Hewahineno’eauka’ika’i Ponce

Aloha and ‘Ia orana! My name is Meiguey Ponce. I was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and now call Albuquerque my home. I started learning the art of Polynesian dance in 2013 with our main instructor and owner of Ka Lā Kapu, Kellie. I decided to start taking lessons because I was searching for something to do and to keep myself busy outside of work and school. What started off as just something I could call a hobby became so much more than that for me. I fell in love with dancing and learning about the cultures of Polynesia. It has truly become my passion in life. I very much still consider myself a student and I’m always hungry to learn more and push myself as a dancer. Since joining Ka Lā Kapu Polynesian Dance School in 2013, I have participated in multiple ‘ori Tahiti and hula workshops and have had the pleasure of learning skills from Kuana Torres Kahele, Moena Maiotui, and Adelina Hinemanea. I’m excited and look forward to continue my growth as a student and instructor to help build the future of Ka Lā Kapu Polynesian Dance School! 

Kimberly Meulang Caalim Napuanani McKinney

Aloha my name is Kim McKinney. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and have lived in New Mexico for majority of my life. When I was younger I always watched my family dance hula at family gatherings and was fascinated with my culture. I began dancing Hula and ‘ori Tahiti at the age of 12. I was originally taught by my Aunty Thelva and Kumu Raelani McKinney of Hawaiian Pride in Rio Rancho, NM. We provided Annual lūʻau for our community for about 13 years. In 2010, myself and Kellie Villicano created a Tahitian dance group called E Vahine ‘O Tahiti E, and I assisted in teaching beginner steps till I moved to Texas in 2013 with my family. Since moving back to New Mexico, I'm ready to get back to sharing my love for the art and culture of my heritage. I joined Ka Lā Kapu in 2018 and can't wait to see where this new journey takes me.

JacquieLynn Kapi’olani Gonzalez

Aloha, my name is Jacquie Gonzalez. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to share my love of hula with anyone who has the desire to learn. I have always been drawn to dance since I was a little girl and it has brought me so much joy. I was the last of 6 kids, so I was a bit sheltered and painfully shy, so music was kind of an escape for me and I was able to get lost in the music without a care in the world. So just being in the mix of music and dance became my happy place. I started dancing hula in 2003 under the instruction of Aunty Thelva, Aunty Raelani and on occasion, Uncle Rod of Hawaiian Pride in Rio Rancho,NM. However; I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 which required me to take a break from dancing to focus on my health. By the grace of God, I was able to return to my passion of dance in 2014 and decided to join Ka Lā Kapu Polynesian Dance School. Sometimes dancing is a little more challenging but I still hold on to the fact that it is my happy place. I have learned to never give up, just keep going and I hope to pass that inspiration along to other people as well. I’ve embraced my culture through my love of dance and desire to learn more about my Hawaiian heritage. In July of 2018, I had the pleasure of increasing my knowledge of learning new skills by attending a workshop under the direction of Kuana Torres Kahele. First and foremost, I will always be a student striving to learn more every day, but also looking forward to sharing my knowledge of hula with others.

Hiroko “Koko” Pilialoha Minami

 Aloha! My name is Hiroko Pilialoha Minami. I go by Koko. I was born and raised in Osaka, Japan, while going back and forth between Osaka and Oʻahu Hawaiʻi with my parents. I was introduced to hula for the first time through Waiokeola pre-school in Oʻahu and fell in love with the energies that hula dance provides. After I moved here to New Mexico, I wanted to reconnect to the culture and lifestyle that I am familiar with through hula and joined hālau hula, Ka La Kapu in January 2020. Hula allows me to stay grounded and be myself. Hula is a tool to express myself while I spiritually stay connected to the earth, vegetation, water, wind, and sky. I graduated (ʻuniki) in spring 2022 and I continue to learn further under kumu Kellie. I am excited and honored to share the knowledge I acquired with my keiki students. May Aloha-spirit continue to spread to our community.

Neilina Kepo’omaikalani Kaleikini Seay

Aloha mai kakou! My name is Neilina Seay (Vierra). I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i and moved to New Mexico in 2019. I travel a lot for work and have seen a lot of this world, but there is nothing quite like being home in Hawaii – and it was a feeling I found I was missing the longer I was away from the islands. I started dancing hula in Albuquerque in 2020 when my best friend told me about Ka Lā Kapu and I have been in love with the classes and the people that I get to see every week ever since! Ka Lā Kapu has given me my home away from home and allowed me to feel connected to the culture even when I’m far away. I have been around the culture and dancing hula my entire life, but nothing brings me more joy than sharing the knowledge that I have been privileged to grow up with to others! I am in no way an expert and will always continue to learn as a student, but I am honored to be able to share what I do know with everyone who I get to teach. 

Kaupiliokalani “Pili” Burkett

Aloha pumehana kākou! 'O Pili ko'u inoa a hau’oli nō au e a'o aku i ka papa 'Ōlelo Hawai'i ma Ka Lā Kapu. I was born and raised on the windward side of O'ahu, Hawai'i in Kāne'ohe, and began dancing hula in 1997 with kumu hula Māpuana de Silva at Hālau Mōhala 'Ilima. There, and also through 13 years of schooling at Kamehameha, I studied 'ōlelo Hawai'i, and traditional oli (chants) and hula (dances) of the 18th and 19th centuries, specifically ones dedicated to the life of our kānaka maoli (Hawaiian people) and 'āina 'ōiwi (native land). When I moved to Albuquerque in 2016, I quickly realized how much I missed the connection to the land and to my culture that hula provided me, and I was blessed to stumble upon Kellie and other members of the hālau at the Kū Kia'i Mauna March for Mauna Kea in downtown Albuquerque during the summer of 2019. After connecting there, I joined Ka Lā Kapu to recommit myself to hula and perpetuating our culture, and have found a home here ever since. I'm so excited and honored to teach the 'Ōlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian Language) class and continue learning alongside my hula sisters and brothers!

Carmen Cabrera

Håfa Adai! My name is Carmen Cabrera, I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Guam. I’ve been doing various styles of cultural dancing since I was in first grade. I’ve experienced Chamorro, Hawaiian, Tahitian, and New Zealand dancing. Throughout my life I would perform at village celebrations, tourist events, and eventually joined a dance company that had a nightly dinner show where I did fire poi dancing. Although my roots will always be with Guam, I can definitely say I love exploring the other island’s cultures and ways of dance. I think it’s beautiful that we all share so many similar styles of dances, environments, traditions, upbringing, and so much more. It all just confirms to me that all our islands are one family, one Oceana.

Heather Diane Lokelani Tanner

Aloha kākou! My name is Heather Diane Lokelani Tanner and it’s my honor to teach and to help organize the many events that keep our school busy year-round. I did most of my growing up in Seattle and have called New Mexico home for a number of years now. I began dancing hula in 2014 and joined Ka Lā Kapu in 2018. My hula journey began as a way to reconnect with my family’s roots in Hawai’i, but I’ve found so much more than that along the way. Hula connects me to the ‘āina I walk on, whether it’s the beach or the desert, and connects me to this amazing community. I truly love being part of the Ka Lā Kapu ‘ohana and am always happy to welcome others who are interested in joining or supporting our work to celebrate and perpetuate our culture.

Krystal Namakaokalani Bixel