Charelle Silva began dancing Hula at the age of 5 under her cousin: Kumu Hula Noenoelani Zuttermeister. She began to venture out and perform in 1998 with Halau Hula ’O Nawahine’s Tahitian Dance Troupe, under the direction of Kumu Hula Marlene Kuraoka & Polynesian Dance Halau Hula ’O Kauihou under the direction of Kumu Hula Sabina Kupa. Dancing with Aunty Marlene, gave her the foundation of Tahitian Dance and meaning behind the moves. With Aunty Sabina, Charelle picked up all Polynesian dances rapidly: Tahitian, Samoan, Hula, & Maori. She even learned how to fire knife dance, which has been forbidden for women to learn. She then professionally performed at Governor meetings, Private celebrity parties, the March of Dimes Conference in Atlanta, GA, & in the Kamehameha Day parade as well as other special events. Charelle is the founder of Mehetia Productions with history in the making!

 

 

         Tamar “Ola” Nite began Hula & Tahitian at the age of 3 with Kumu Hula: Lani Ogawa & Keola Ka’uhane. She participated in King Intermediate’s May Day, performed at various churches, & community events. Ola also has experience dancing hip hop, pop, contemporary, & break dancing. She currently attended Windward where she received her AA Degree and plans to major in Animal Science to become a Veterinarian. She met up with Mehetia Productions in January 2008 and the rest is history!

     

 

         Teal Kumai has been dancing practically her entire life. She performed at numerous events dancing & singing with her spectacular voice. She performed with the Cook Island Drummers & with Hula Halau Ho'omaika'i under the direction of Kumu Hula Shona Lam Ho. Teal began dancing with Mehetia Productions in 2002. She started to assist Charelle with Hula & Tahitian Classes in early 2003. Teal then traveled to the mainland for a few years, but found herself home again in late 2007 where she met up with Mehetia Productions to make this group succeed!

 

 

     Tawny-Lynn Tancayo Initially signed up her 3 year old daughter to join Mehetia in 2009. She was amased by the family orientation of our group and decided to join too. A few months of dancing at our Pearl City Location gave Tawny motivation to to enter in our group and solo competition in Las Vegas, NV. She gave Mehetia a new spark and began instructing classes in October 2009. Her dancing background goes back to her child hood, dancing for Tahiti Rava Nui and Te Ariki Nui. Mehetia is happy to have Tawny become a part of our 'Ohana!

 

 

     Cassie-Ann "Punahele" Ching A recent 2009 Pepperdine College Graduate, returned home to join Mehetia Productions in May 2009 as an Intermediate Level Dancer. She quickly excelled, taking on a lead role for our Group 'Ote'a Competition Piece in Las Vegas, NV. Cassie is a beautiful Hula & Tahitian Dancer, which we are proud to have her assisting our Kaneohe Hula & Tahitian Dance Classes. If Cassie is not on stage dancing, she will be found in the backdrop either singing or lining up our dancers. She is a proud addition to our group of outstanding Instructors!

 

 

Mahealani Melendez talents and passion for Tahitian and Hula began and grew through various groups on the neighbor island of Maui. She started to learn Hula from Kumu Hula Kalei Brown in Hali'imaile, Maui at the age of five. Mahealani joined Manutea Production under the direction of Mapuana and started learning Tahitian. When she was in the third grade, Mahealani became a dancer of Te Tiare Patitifa under the direction of Keoni Manuel. She has danced professionally at malls, weddings, luaus, and on vacation ships. Mahealani has danced for Te Tiare Patitifa until she moved to Oahu to at the of Hawai'i at Manoa and Leeward Community college to study education in 2010. Her passion for dancing was calling back to her as she found Mehetia Productions and joined the Pearl City class in 2011. Mahealani danced her way to teaching for Mehetia in 2011.

 

Charito Rivera first started performing when she was a kindergarten student in her native town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She and her family moved to Hawai'i in 1993 when she first performed Hula and Tahitian dance routine, and has been performing at various private parties and public events ever since. She is also proficient in Filipino and Latin dancing. And she is committed to disseminate the passion of dance through social dancing, performing, and teaching in Hawaii, Mainland as well as Philippines and other countries. Charito also holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and currently works as a Domestic Violence Specialist.

 

Ona Freitas  born and rasied on the island of 'Oahu, has always appreciated all aspects of her culture.  She was always surounded by music and dance.  Ona grew up with her fathers fijian dance and drumming. She was always with her mom at  hula/tahitian practices and shows. Ona fell in love with the dance from an early age. During her early school years, Ona took a variety of dance classes ranging from tap, ballet, hip hop, hula, and tahitian. She initially joined Mehetia to dance with her 2 year old daughter in January 2011. She loved dancing so much, Ona, decided to joined Mehetia's performance group shortly after.  "I found more than just a group to dance with." Ona has found a home with Mehetia and began instructing classes in late 2011. We are proud to have her join our 'Ohana!