Organization

Auntie Linda Danek learned many years ago from her Kumu Auntie Helen Kekua Waia'u that the beginnings of the hula is the "essence of our people." It was from this disciplined foundation that Auntie Linda drew her inspiration and began Hula Halau 'O Pi'ilani. Beginning in 1964, Auntie began informally teaching from her home in San Francisco. During this time, Auntie formed Ha'aheo Na Wahine with Billie Billamor and Alohe Oe Bayne. This trio would go on to serve as musicians for many of the halaus in the Bay Area throughout the 1970's.

Moving the halau to its present location in Santa Clara, Auntie felt the time had come to usher in the next generation of teaching with the uniki (graduation) of her daughter Toni-lynne "Kanani" Densing from alaka'i to kumu hula. Since opening the halau in 1981, they have entered the halau in numerous competitions in Hawaii, Seattle, Las Vegas, Utah and here in California. Auntie and Kanani have always insisted on maintaining a family atmosphere, as evidenced by the many lifelong friendships that have spawned from being in the halau. It is through this closeness and common bond with their haumana that Auntie Linda and Kanani hope to perpetuate the hawaiian culture through song, language and dance.