About Us
Malia Williams have been involved in Hawaiian and Polynesian dance for over 15 years in Hawaii under Aunty Iwalani Tseu of Iwalani School of Dance, Aunty Pola Teriipaia of Manutahi Tahiti and other instructors. For her, Polynesian dance which includes New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga,Fiji, Cook Islands and Tahiti) is not just a dance. It has many other elements like history and legends, the language, native religion, songs, chants, prayers, poetry, daily life, and the people, places and events. You need to know the culture. As one hula teacher told me, “The dancer must understand the meaning of the song (if it's in Hawaiian), visualize the place or setting, and convey the emotion from the heart.” She prefers to be called a “mea hula”, or dancer instead of “kumu hula'” for dance teacher.
As a professional dancer, she performed in different places in Hawaii. After moving to Jacksonville, she formed a dance group called Hoku-loa (Morning-star) Polynesian Dancers and has been active all over Jacksonville and other places.
She appeared and performed on WJXT's Television Morning Show in June 2003.
Her dance group was featured on the front page of the Nassau County Herald News and News Leader in July 2003.
Won the Tourist Development Council Judge's Award “Best Expression of Theme” in Gator's Bowl Parade in December 2003.
Received Letter of Appreciation from Mayor Payton for volunteering time and talent during Super Bowl XXXIX in February 2005.
Received Certificate of Appreciation from Trident Refit Facility (TRIREFAC) for May 2008 and 2009 for participation on Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration.
Received Certificate of Appreciation from Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for participation on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event on May 2009.
