About Keala
Keala is part of Te Hau Nui School of Hula & Tahitian Dance, a hālau in Santa Cruz, CA founded by the late Kumu Lorraine Kalei Kinnamon. She was accepted into Uniki Program, a 2-year prestigious hula teacher training program under world renowned Kumu Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett (Lehua) of the Kūhai Hālau Schools. She has also been accepted to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa starting fall 2026 to study anthropology.
A Message from Keala Raatior
My journey
My journey into the world of hula started at age 4 when I took my first hula lessons from Kumu Lorraine Kaleiokalaua’e at the Capitola Recreation Center before my family moved to Hilo, Hawaii. I reunited with Kumu Lorraine when I returned from Hawaii, and she had opened her own hālau, Te Hau Nui School of Hula & Tahitian Dance in Santa Cruz, CA. I can’t even remember when I first fell in love with hula; I seemingly always have. My Kumu Lorraine definitely played a huge role in that. I was privileged to have her as such a strong, bright, and humble role model for the years that I did.
I feel very honored to be invited to join the Uniki Program under the esteemed lineage of Lehua Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and Kūhai Hālau Schools. This is the same lineage that my Kumu Lorraine was under, and she completed the exact training I am undergoing. I feel very connected to her on this journey on the Big Island.
I want to express my gratitude to my hālau for the unconditional love, support, and guidance…not only on this journey but since the very start. We really are a family, built on the foundation of the love and strength our Kumu enveloped us in. Thank you to all my family and friends, near and far, for your constant love and support. If you’re reading this, thank you, and thank you for your interest in my journey!
Me ke aloha pumehana.
-Keala Naihangiluk Staley Raatior
Deepest Gratitude to My
Te Hau Nui ohana
We really are a family, built on the foundation of the love and strength our Kumu enveloped us in.
Thank You!
Please help perpetuate hula in Santa Cruz and beyond.