Kumu Maile Frauchiger
Maile is a former member of Hālau Kaleilehua O Panaewa. Under the direction of Auntie Noelani McIntosh, Maile become alakai for her Hālau and now passes on her former Kumu's 1940-50's style of hula to the Silverlake and Eagle Rock Communities of Los Angeles. Maile is an award winning soloist hula dancer, placing second in the 2002 E Hula Mau Competition in Long Beach. She continues her training by attending workshops throughout California and Hawaiʻi with various Kumu Hula to include: Etua Lopes, Patrick Makuakane, Kuana Torres, Derek Kiaʻanina Nuʻuhiwa and others. Maile has a unique way of teaching which merges her extensive experience as a professional dancer with her passion of keeping the Hawaiian Traditions, Culture and Language alive.
Her professional dance career began in 1979-86 when she danced with Ballet Mexicapan and later directed Ballet Folkorico de La Fonda. In 1987-89 she toured nationally as lead dancer with singer, Linda Ronstadt, in the production of “Canciones de mi Padre” concluding in a 1989 GRAMMY AWARDS performance. In 1990-2015, she worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District/Arts Education Branch teaching creative movement and curriculum integration. In 2002, she received Honorable Mention recognition at the National Bravo Awards for her lesson development in the field of creative movement and curriculum integration. She is currently retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District and proudly devotes her time to directing Hālau Hula ʻO Hoaloha, sharing her passion for hula and striving to keep the Hawaiian culture and traditions alive through the arts.