Ahuna Ohana

Group Photo

Documents

Group Info

Location

Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA

Group Type

Polynesian Dance and Music Group

Group Genre

Polynesian / First Nations

Group Age Category

Youth/Adult (10 - 50 years old)

Performance Style

Authentic/Stylized/Elaborate

Music Type

Live Music

Group Size

40 Members

Upcoming Tour Location

2026

Upcoming Tour Dates

2026

Group Website

https://youtu.be/bpNUPRo-8JM?si=Y9mcn40agjgBb6ac

Group Bio

a Hawaiian cultural group that encourages the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and traditional hula outside the State of Hawai`i.

The group learns about and shares the stories of people, places, and things through dances. The Ahuna Ohana is a family that has been performing traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian dances worldwide since 1998.

Their show features vibrant music, instruments, and dances that have been passed down through generations. This includes the unique sounds of the ukulele and the Hawaiian steel guitar, which was invented by an ancestor of the Ahuna Ohana, Joseph Kekuku.

The dancers of the family capture the graceful hula dances of Hawaii, the dazzling poi dances of New Zealand, the rhythmic dances of Tahiti, the exciting Samoan fire knife dance, and the amazing Navajo 22-hoop dances.

The “Ohana” show promotes the idea that families can find strength by learning and sharing cultural traditions as a family.

The family has performed at Tokyo Disney. EPCOT Center at Disney World, 2002 XIX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES. 2012 IV CIOFF WORLD FOLKLORIADA Anseong, Korea, and the 2022 VI CIOFF WORLD FOLKLORIADA, Ufa, Russia

Director Bio

Joseph Ahuna

Joseph Ahuna — Director & Patriarch of Ahuna Ohana Joseph P. H. Ahuna Jr., often known simply as Joe Ahuna, is the founder and guiding force behind Ahuna Ohana, a multi-generational family troupe from Hawaii that shares Polynesian and Native American cultural traditions through dance and song. As a young Boy Scout at the 1969 national Jamboree, Joe witnessed a Samoan fire‑knife dance that would go on to shape his life and legacy. He immediately resolved to learn the art, a passion he nurtured ever since. His early talent blossomed at BYU, where he participated with performing groups like the Young Ambassadors on international tours (including the Soviet Union, China, and Asia). These experiences deepened his commitment to cultural exchange through performance. After law school (J.D., BYU, 1983), Joe established a law practice in Oʻahu, but the real stage was waiting at home. Together with his wife Janice and eventually their six children, he formed Ahuna Ohana (Hawaiian for “family”) to perform dances such as the Samoan fire knife, hula, and Native American hoop dance, all with deeply meaningful intentions. Their motto: promote the “spirit of Aloha” to give from the heart with no expectation in return. Reflecting this, every performance is offered free of charge, fueled by love, service, and cultural pride. Since its inception in 1983, Ahuna Ohana has brought their message of family, unity, and positivity to audiences worldwide, having performed across Europe, Asia, North America, and more. Notable venues include Folkmoot USA, the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (2002), and festivals from Taiwan to Puerto Rico. Their performances aren’t just entertainment; they deliver culturally rich messages about love, family, education, and a drug‑free lifestyle, and they often partner with community programs, schools, churches, and cultural events to maximize impact. Over the years, the troupe has grown to include not just Joe and Janice and their six children, but also spouses and grandchildren... some as young as three, creating a true legacy of intergenerational artistry. Even during the COVID‑19 pandemic, Joe found ways to keep the tradition alive, teaching grandchildren ukulele over Zoom and hosting virtual family recitals.

Media

YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/VdUNm41kM0c;

Reviews

Ahuna Ohana’s performance was a vibrant celebration of Pacific Island culture that left the audience deeply moved.

The energy and authenticity of their dances beautifully conveyed the spirit of ‘ohana and aloha.

Their masterful blend of tradition and storytelling creates an unforgettable cultural experience.

Previous Tours Attended

2024 -3rd World Festival Traditional dances in in Larissa June 25-26 2024 International Peirides Musses of Folk Festival of Katerini, Jun 27-July 3rd.

2nd International VOIO Folklore Festival July 3-7 2024; ( Siatista & Tsotyli)

International Festival ofTraditional Musical Instruments Busevec 2024,

Sept 26-30, 2024, Busevec Croatia

CIOFF Israel 3rd Online International Folklore Festival “Light and Fire”

2023

Polynesian Cultural Center 60th Alumni Celebration. Three Generations of the Ahuna Family, Papa, sons, and grandchildren, were invited to perform the Samoan fire knife dance.

Cioff Israel 4th "Light and Fire" part 1: The Darkest Days and Nights,

Dec 2023 25th International Folkore Festival. Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. International Children's And Youth Festival Folkoric Ensembles Festival,

Place Municipal Park, 725700 VATRA DORNEI, Romania

1st Encuentro Mudial de las Culturas Populares, Santiago de Cali, Columbia

2022

Magic Valley Folkfestival in Burley Idaho;

World Folkfest in Springville, Utah.

2021

CIOFF Israel 2nd Online International Folklore Festival "Light and Fire"

2021Zoom family performance for CIOFF India & Charu Castle Foundation 21st Online Global Folk Dance Festival, Day Oct 4 13, 2021.

2021 VI CIOFF WORLD FOLKLORIADA, Ufa, Russia July 2021;

2021 CIOFF WORLD FOLKLORIADA Morning show "Salam"

Cioff Israel 2nd Online International Folklore Festival "Light and Fire Part 2:

Yilan International Children Folklore & Folkgame Festival, Yilan, Taiwan;

2017

SCHLITZERLANDER TRACHTENFEST, Germany; “Beste Völkerverständigung: Internationales Trachtenfest in Schlitz 2017” XVI INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL “EUROFOLK ZAMOŚĆ”

XXXII Miedzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne, Lublin – Naleczow – Wlodawa, Poland

2016

World Festival Parade Brunssum, Brunssum, Netherlands

Festival Internacional De Folclore Rio 2016, Barcelos, Portugal

2015

ERAU INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE & FOLK ART FESTIVAL” Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia “Europaisches Folklodre Festival” Bitburg, Germany

2014

"FOLKMOOT USA"- Waynesville, North Carolina;

2013

SUMMERFEST SZAZHALOMBATTA, Hungary. 

2012

IV CIOFF WORLD FOLKLORIADA Anseong, Korea

XXVII INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE – Lublin, Poland

2011:

Germany – “Schlitzerlander-Trachenfest” Festival

Portugal – “Festimaiordca” Festival

2009:

“Europaisches Folklodre Festival” Bitburg, Germany

2008:

Spain - 32nd Festival Internacional de Folclore “Cuidad de Burgos”

France - 20th Festival de Martigues

2007:

North Carolina, Waynesville: International USA Folkmoot Festival

2005

Netherlands International Folklore Festival Zeeland, Sas Van Gent.

Czech Republic: Prague, Lazene Belohrad, Olomuc, Rattivak, Ostrava and Brno.

2003

"FOLKMOOT USA" Waynesville, North Carolina

2002

South Korea, Seoul: 2002 WORLD CUP SOCCER Celebration Art Festival; Utah, Salt Lake City: Athlete's Village at the 2002 XIX OLYMPIC WINTER

North Carolina, Waynesville: International USA Folkmoot Festival

2001

Virginia, USA. "2001 Boy Scout National Jamboree', Fort AP Hills, Virginia Czech Republic 27th International Folklore Festival ‘Pod Zvicinou’-Lazne Belhora “F Scene 2001-Brno

Italy 8th Festival Inernational “Sabino-Cornicolano”-St Angelo Romano.

France Festival Folklorique De La Haute Lande-Morcenx

Belgium FESTIVAL MONDIAL DE FOLKLORE DE LA VILLE DE SAINT-GHISLAIN- Tertre 18th INT’l FESTIVAL OF FOLKLORE DE OOSTROZEBEKE- Oostrozebeke*

2000

Florida. EPCOT Center, Disney World.

1999

France Festival De Montguyon-Montguyon

Germany Europaisches Folklore Festival Bitburg-Bitburg

Volksfestverein-Malchow

Netherlands International Folklore Festival Zeeland, Sas Van Gent

1998

Japan Nagoya, Tokyo North and Sapporo LDS Missions.

We performed our Family Polynesian show in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Nagoya, Sapporo, Takahagi, Tokyo Japan

Tokyo Disney, Tokyo, Japan.

1997

England "INTERNATIONAL Festival of Folk Art-Milton Keynes.

France, Festival of Folk-Art-Biartiz