Ohana Dance Group

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Fundraise

$315 raised by 5 donors

1% complete

$40,000 Goal

Ohana Dance Group has been involved in multiple outreach activities and efforts to correct misconceptions, dispel stereotypes and bring correct traditions to the community-at-large by weaving traditions, history and culture into teachings and performances. ODG outreach activities to youth stress the importance of ethnic pride, especially in Hawaiian and other minority groups. Family values are stressed with an emphasis on positive self-image and belief in oneself. Scholarships are provided to youth who are active in perpetuating the values of the Hawaiian culture. ODG strives to motivate students to continue their study of traditions, chants, and dances of Hawai'i. In this way youth are encouraged to become socially confident, leading to self-reliance, self-confidence and self-sufficiency.

Currently, the Hawaiian culture is a small community of people that either have a connection to the Hawaiian Islands or have found hula independently. We would like to expand the availability of Hawaiian culture to communities that are unable to afford the classes and/or workshops currently provided. It is important to expand the understanding of the Hawaiian culture as it represents an indigenous people often misconceptualized. We attempt to dispel the misconception through community performances and often have community members inquire about classes, only to be deferred by costs. The project would provide the communities with free opportunities to learn about the Hawaiian history and culture through dance and workshops not otherwise available to them. The advertisement would be shared at schools serving underserved children and libraries in underserved communities, to provide them opportunities to learn at no expense. We would like to serve as many community members in learning about the culture and history as possible. We serve all ages in expanding the understanding of the Hawaiian culture and give them an opportunity to share their learning through a free and low-cost community performances.

Giving Activity

Mission

The Ohana Dance Group (ODG)'s mission is to share the stories and spirituality of the islands and its people through hula traditions and dances. It seeks to teach its students about the people, places, events, emotions, legends, traditions, values, and protocols that make up the Hawaiian culture. Its goal is to make available an enjoyable cultural activity through traditional hula classes and related activities, and to share the knowledge with the community.

Needs

The program provided to the community needs funds to supplement rent for the space Ohana Dance Group uses to educate community members, conduct business needs, hold community events, and store Hawaiian costuming.

The programs provided to the community requires maintenance of dress attire at a level of quality that is respectful of the information and culture presented. In order to keep expenses low for the community, donations are used to update the dancer's dress attire.

Funds are also needed to provide the program teachers and leaders for the classes with training and learning opportunities. We have a group of dancers that teach the classes. For the teachers' time we provide a small stipend. We also travel to and bring in specialized teachers in the culture and pay them to provide workshops for the students and/or community members.

To improve the ability to connect with the community we spend funds on public advertising of our classes and opportunities to have our organization share with their programs.

All members of the Hālau (Hawaiian School) are volunteers. We depend on volunteers to lead and support each of the classes and as part of the board of directors.

Each year we have a special opportunity to take the students to the island of O’ahu to learn from Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, the source of our lineage in hula. We would like to reduce the expenses so that 20-30 students can attend and participate in this learning opportunity. The students will be taking workshops, participating in a celebration following Lehuaʻs lineage and taking tours to learn more about the Hawaiian culture, ‘aina(land), and our lineage. This event has other Hawaiian schools from around the world, including Europe and Japan, coming together to learn from the source and dance together. Expenses we’d like to cover are airfare, lodging, traditional clothing for a group performance, workshop fees and food. These expenses add up and many of the students would not be able to participate without fundraising and donations. Last year we used the Big Day of Giving funds to send 10 students, the year prior we took 24 students, to Hawaiʻi to participate in the learning opportunities offered by the source of our knowledge. They were able to participate and share a hula with the Hawaiian community at the Moanike'ala Festival, located at the Polynesian Culture Center, as well as take 4 workshops with Lehua and learn how to make leis on the beaches. These experiences are brought back to our school and shared with all students to allow growth in culture, language and community.

We would appreciate any support you can offer to get the students to Hawai’i to expand on their hard work and learn from the source.

Equity Statement

Ohana Dance Group is based on and run by culturally sensitive members of the diverse community. 99% of participants are ethnically diverse women.

We thrive to include all members of the community, including the racially, culturally, religiously diverse. We instill inclusivity with the students and always maintain a just and even opportunity for all.

We will continue our intent to be inclusive with all wanting to move our community in the fully inclusive and equitable world we want to live in.

Get Involved

View our current participation opportunities.

In-Person Event

Open House

Ohana Dance Group Hālau

April 27, 2024

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Ohana Dance Group

other names

ODG, Kūhai Hālau O Kaponookalani Pā 'Ōlapa Kahiko

Year Established

2010

Tax id (EIN)

32-0249212

Mission Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Operating Budget

$50,001 - $100,000

Organization Need

Space: Office or Other, Technology, Funding: Program, Volunteers, Funding: Other

Demographics Served

Asian/Pacific Islander, Native Americans/Indigenous Groups, Women/Female-identifying

BIPOC Leadership

Both the Executive Director & Board Chair

Local Counties Served

El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo

Equity Statement

Equity Statement

Address

6235 Belleau Wood Ln 1B
Sacramento, CA 95822

Service areas

Sacramento, CA, US

West Sacramento, CA, US

Elk Grove, CA, US

Roseville, CA, US

El Dorado Hills, CA, US

Phone

916-203-8648

Email

OhanaDanceGroup@gmail.com

Website

http://ohanadancegroup.com

Social Media