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A Family Tradition

Ke Polani Ohana E Kai means "The Beautiful Family By The Sea", and we follow in tradition of Polynesian Dance taught by the late Ginger Keahi Allen. For over 50 years, Keahi brought the spirit of Aloha, and the excitement of dance to San Diego's North County. Keahi fell in love with the Polynesian Culture back in the 1940's and early 1950's. She soon opened her own halau, based out of her home overlooking Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. She, and her Ke Hulili O Keahi dancers, (The Dazzling Lights of the Flame), danced there until her halau closed in 2005.

Keahi's three children, Gary, Mark, and Pam, grew up with the Aloha Spirit in their blood. Pam, and Mark taught for many years, helping to pass the tradition of Ke Hulili O Keahi to the next generations of eager young dancers. Although Pam (Tehani), was taken from us in 1987, her dancing and teaching lives on through the countless Hulas and Oteas which she choreographed. Her older brother, Mark (Ahi), not only helped teach, but also helped Keahi manage the halau for the last decade. Along with their mother Keahi, Ahi and Tehani helped carry on the tradition of fun, discipline, and excitement!

In 2005, under the guidance of his grandmother Keahi, and his father Ahi, Matt Kekoa Allen opened his own halau, Ke Polani Ohana E Kai. Not wanting the tradition started by his tutu to fade away, Kekoa teaches the dances of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand in the same fun and original way that his grandmother did. In June of 2007, Ke Polani Ohana E Kai finally had to move from its home at Ginger's Halau, to it's new exciting location in southern Carlsbad. We sincerely hope to continue our family tradition, and bring the light of Aloha to our community, as we have for so many generations!