Kumu Hula Greg
Lontayao
Greg started dancing
in 1974 while growing up in San Francisco, California, for Tiare Otea of San
Francisco, under the late Kumu Hula Tiare Clifford and later with Ka'a Mea O Ka
Makani under Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu. After moving to Kane'ohe, Hawai'i,
in 1983,
he joined Waimapuna under the late Kumu Hula Darrell Lupenui and
later with Hauoli Hula Studio under the late Kumu Hula Leilani Sharpe Mendez.
After their passing, he continued with Tahitian Raatira Teitu Kame'enui;
Keolalaulani Hālau 'Olapa O Laka under Kumu Hula Aloha Dalire; Iwalani's
School of Dance under Kumu Hula Iwalani Tseu and Lei Hulu Hula School under Kumu
Hula Kimo Alama Keaulana.
From 1989 to 2008 he had
been performing for Kalo's Polynesian Revue at the South Seas Village at the
Hawaiian Hut. He has also performed at Waikiki
Calls, Voyage, Tahitian Lanai, Polynesian Palace
and throughout the state of Hawai'i for many private and convention shows. He
has also traveled to perform and teach in California, Japan, Korea and Canada.
He was an Alaka'i (assistant instructor) for
Kumu Hula Aloha Dalire of Keolalaulani
Hālau 'Olapa O Laka, from 1992 to 2000. Since 1992, he has been
teaching hula
for the State of
Hawai’i, Department of Education, Community Schools Adult Education Program at Kaiser High
School. He is the Kumu Hula for Hālau Kawaihoa, which was
established in August, 2000.
He and his wife
R.
Nena Reloj Lontayao have been married since 1979 and have three
children, Anthony-Charles Reloj Kahikookalani, Stephen Sojot
Naniali'iokapuaohaiali'i and
Kristina Delejo
Moanaike'alaokalaua'e. They have lived in Kane'ohe, Hawai'i since 1983. Their
company,
HO'ALA HAWAI'I, publishes an
online hula newsletter called
HULA MAI 'OE; teach and consult in hula
productions, costuming and
dance. Their website is
www.hoalahawaii.com.
Greg's parents are
Martial
Arts Grandmaster Graciano (Greg) Lontayao, Jr. and the late Loretta Sojot Lontayao. He has three brothers, James, Jay and
Sean and two sisters, Mrs. Gina Sakuma and
Mykie Sojot-Lontayao.
History:
1974 - Tiare Otea of San
Francisco, Kumu Hula Tiare Clifford
1983 - Ka'a Mea O Ka Makani,
Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i
Ho'omalu
1985 - Waimapuna, Kumu Hula
Darrell Lupenui
1987 -
Kalena's Polynesian
Ohana, Isitolo & Iwalani Oloa and Teitu Kame'enui
1987 - Hauoli Hula Hālau, Kumu Hula Leilani Sharpe Mendez
1992 - Keolalaulani
Hālau 'Olapa O Laka, Kumu Hula Aloha
Dalire
1992 -
Rohotu,
Kumu Hula
Wallis Punua
1993 - Iwalani's School of Dance, Kumu Hula Iwalani Tseu
1998 - Lei Hulu Hula School,
Kumu Hula Kimo Alama Keaulana
Achievements:
1983 - Member of Ka'a Mea O Ka Makani - 3rd Place Kane Hula 'Auana - 1983 Merrie
Monarch
1986 - Member of Waimapuna - 1st Place and Overall Hālau Winner - 1986 Merrie
Monarch
1988 - Polynesian Festival, Honolulu, Hawai'i - Tahitian Male Soloist 1st Place
1995 - Ke Alohi Hula Kane & Overall Winner - Waimea Falls Park, Waimea,
O'ahu, Hawai'i
1997 -
World Invitational Hula Festival - Hawai'i Kane Solo Winner
2000 - Teacher of the Year - Kaimuki/Kaiser Adult Community Schools, State of
Hawaii DOE
2000 - 'Uniki - Lei Hulu Hula School -
Kumu Hula Kimo Alama Keaulana
2000 - Established the Kawaihoa Foundation and Hālau Kawaihoa
2004 - Invited Presenter for E Pili Kakou I Ho'okahi Lahui - California
2005 - Invited Presenter for E Pili Kakou I Ho'okahi Lahui - Kaua'i, Japan
& California
2006 - Invited Presenter for E Pili Kakou I Ho'okahi Lahui - Japan,
Canada & California
2008 - Hālau Kawaihoa invited to participate in the 45th Annual Merrie Monarch
Festival
2009 - Adjudicator for the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival - Vancouver,
Canada
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