Barbara Kawena Dempsey

Aloha! I’m Barbara Kawena Dempsey,  a former professional Polynesian dancer for over 16 years.

During my younger years (age 19-35) I performed regularly at such venues as Don the Beachcombers, Tropicana Hotel-Las Vegas & The Harrah’s Marina Hotel-Atlantic City, with the Okalani Polynesian Revue, eventually branching off, forming “Mainland Paradise”  and later, Kon Tiki Productions. During this same time, I also taught hula-fitness classes at Los Angeles City College during the summer sessions. Currently, I perform as lead Hawaiian dancer for slack key guitarist, Kimo Williams, and as a featured dancer for Kamaka Brown's stage show "Postcards from Home"

My Polynesian dance studies started in the 1970's with Karoun Tootikian - former foundation leader for the Ruth St Denis Dance Company, Kumu Hula Jane Tani Okalani, Okalani Polynesian Revue,  Tahitian Studies with Tewahine Blake, Kumu Hula June Kehaulani Rust, Kumu Jack Kinneer, and in my 60's, my studies have been with Kumu Hula Mahealani Harder Linder, & Hawaiian Studies, Dance & Oli with Kumu Paʻa Nui Lawrence Kalainia Kamani Aki & Kumu Paʻa Kyrian van Vliet.

I have dedicated myself to sharing my knowledge of Polynesian dance, fitness and physical rehab with women of all ages while specializing in the fabulous 50 & above ages. Aloha Allure is a fun and sexy way back to health & fitness! 

​

Thank you for your interest and I look forward to meeting you in class or on-line!

With warmest aloha and good health wishes,

A hui hou kakou (until we meet again)

Barbara Kawena Dempsey

​

Regina Kamakanikaimana
Barradas

If you have never danced hula before but have always wanted to, or, you have danced before but just want to brush up and fine tune your basic steps, then Regina is the instructor you've been looking for. 

Her patience, clear & concise teaching style makes hula fun & easy to understand & implement.

​

Regina has been dancing hula her entire life. This Portuguese, Chinese, Hawaiian dynomite studied hula in Northern California in her earlier years and then  eventually settled in Southern CA where she taught hula at Sierra Madre Senior Center. During that same time, she joined Aloha Allure, to hone in on her dance studies. 

​

With her smooth & graceful execution of the hula, and understanding of body movement, it wasn't long  before Regina was asked to be a part of the Aloha Allure Instructional team. She is passionate about everything Hawaiian and loves to share the aloha with all that meet her or study under her.

Regina incorporates a bit of yoga, and aerobic stretches, at the end of all of her classes to help optimize the fitness of all of her students.

​

We are honored to have Regina Kamakanikaimana Barradas as an Aloha Allure  instructor.

Melinda Lolani Leeka

Aloha!

I have always been someone who is interested in learning new things. So, in 1998, at the age of 43, 1 decided to take up karate at a local dojo. I loved it so much, I continued to train for 21 years, earning my 3rd degree black belt in karate.

While in my late 50's, I expanded my horizons by enrolling in my very first music lessons: violin, followed by piano, guitar, and ukulele. Surprisingly, it was my music teacher who encouraged me to look into hula classes, as she had another client who was a student of hula.

​

The seed planted, I proceeded to google "hula lessons near me". I was fortunate to find a talented, incredible hula teacher right around the corner from my home in La Canada. In the spring of 2016, I began my hula journey with instructor Barbara Dempsey. I have had the pleasure of dancing hula for the last 7 years with the amazing Aloha Allure Ohana under the direction of Barbara, and have also had the pleasure and privilege of teaching beginner hula classes in Sierra Madre.

In addition to hula and karate, I enjoy cycling, swimming, and walking with my beagle Milo. I currently live in La Canada with my husband Andy. I have two grown sons, Justin and Ryan, and a new baby granddaughter Maya. 

​

With much Aloha, 

​

Melinda lolani Leeka