Today we’d like to introduce you to David Acevedo and Ale Gabino.
David and Ale are the owners of Hōkūle‘a Academy of Polynesian Arts, Chicago’s very own Polynesian entertainment company and dance academy. This husband and wife duo founded the island inspired institution to stay true and respectful to the people and cultures of Polynesia. Since 2000 they have put all of their artistic energy towards learning the various dances, languages and lifestyles of not only Hawai‘i but also Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and other neighboring island nations. Both have studied with many world famous teachers from Hawai‘i and Tahiti and have competed throughout Hawai‘i, the mainland U.S.A. and Mexico. In 2014, they founded Te Mana Ora, Chicago’s Polynesian Seminar. This biannual event allows hundreds of dancers from around the country to learn directly from some of Polynesia’s greatest teachers. When Kawika and ‘Ale are not teaching classes or producing events, they are busy bringing their professional show on the road. With authentic dancers, vibrant costumes and fire dancers, Hōkūleʻa’s full Polynesian revue performs at corporate events, schools, park districts, street festivals and private parties year round.
David’s passion for the arts started at a very young age when he started playing piano at three years old. In high school, he was able to showcase some of his artistic talents in the schoolʻs show choir, various musicals, and in the schoolʻs Orchesis program. It was in the Orchesis program that David realized that he loved more than just music – he loved to dance. Shortly after graduation David studied both music and dance at Columbia College Chicago. With very little background in Jazz, Ballet and Modern dance, he also joined a Polynesian entertainment company just to try something new. He discovered the lifestyles, dance and culture of the South Pacific islands and instantly it became his passion.
Since 2001 David has put all of his artistic energy towards learning the various arts of Hawai‘i, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and many other neighboring island nations. He has since danced with numerous Polynesian entertainment companies and has been taught by many peers and teachers in the industry. In 2003 David competed on the Big Island of Hawai’i at the Tahiti Fete International Dance Competition. David placed 2nd in the Men’s Solo category and in 2004 and 2005 he competed in the Tahiti Fete International Dance competition in San Jose, California as well. David made it into the finals both years and won the Mr. Tane Tahiti pageant in 2004. Having traveled to the islands many times he has gained much respect for the people, their culture, music and dances. With Hōkūle‘a, David now has a place where he and artists from all over Polynesia can come together and share with his students the lifestyles and cultures of the South Pacific through music and dance.
Ale, born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, took her first Hula class at the young age of four. Growing up in a family that loves to dance, Ale continued to take Ballet, Jazz, Ballroom and Latin dance classes throughout her childhood and into her teen years. At the age of fifteen, she was offered an opportunity to dance with the Mexican singer Tatiana. While on tour with Tatiana, Ale traveled throughout Mexico and the United States dancing for thousands, in many cities and was featured on several television shows. In 2000, Ale joined a Polynesian dance group to learn more about Hawai’i and Polynesia. In 2003 she traveled to Hilo, Hawai‘i to compete in the Tahiti Fete International Dance Competition. Their group won several awards and placed in many different categories.
After returning to Mexico from Hawai‘i, it was Ale’s mission to learn as much as she could about Polynesia. She signed up for as many Polynesian dance seminars that she was able to. From these workshops, Ale was able to learn from some of the greatest Hawaiian and Tahitian teachers such as Sonny Ching, Ray Fonseca, Johny Lum Ho, Mark Keali‘i Ho‘omalu and Tahaki Foster to name a few. Ale started to teach Hula and Tahitian classes in several different dance schools in and around her city. Though teaching had become her passion, she was still in search for further education. In 2006 Ale joined one of Mexico’s finest and well known Polynesian Dance troupes ‘Ballet Polinesio Folklorico Bali Hai’. She danced with Bali Hai in their highest level classes and performed throughout Mexico. In 2009 Ale moved to Chicago, IL. Her love for the Polynesian arts and her extensive background in professional dance is the foundation of Hōkūle‘a.
In 2003 David and Ale met in Hilo, Hawai‘i at the Tahiti Fete dance competition. Their friendship grew stronger over the years with the help of e-mail and modern technology. The two eventually realized that they had more in common than the love they had for Polynesia and reunited again in 2008. Shortly thereafter, Ale decided to move to Chicago. In 2009 David and Ale were married and less than one year later, Hōkūle‘a was formed. It is their passion and commitment to teach what they know by staying true and respectful to the people and cultures of Polynesia. To do what they love is an honor and they are forever thankful for their blessings in life.
Has it been a smooth road?
Like with most things, there are always bumps in the road. Each and every struggle or set back that has presented itself over the years has caused us to pause, reanalyze and work harder. We have always believed that everything happens for a reason and that there is always a lesson or experience to be learned and gained from each experience or set back. Accepting this has instilled a great deal of tenacity and has provided us with greater appreciation for all we have achieved.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Hōkūleʻa Academy is Chicago’s very own Polynesian dance academy and entertainment company. Our mission has always been to provide quality education and entertainment in the Polynesian arts by staying true and respectful to the people, cultures and lifestyles of Polynesia. We are known for not taking any short cuts, working hard, staying focused and continuously raising the bar for ourselves in our dance classes and in our professional shows.
We are most proud to be able to educate people through our classes as well as our shows. While there are several lūʻau style shows out there that have flashy costumes and lots of kitschy routines and audience participation, we have always been aware of the responsibility we have to use our platform in a positive and authentic way.
Unfortunately, Hawaiʻi and other parts of Polynesia have long been misrepresented in movies and on television. Even restaurants and tiki bars are popping up all over are using “Hawaii” to sell their products based on a false reality. Many of our clients immediately expect our dancers to dance a Hula in coconuts and a grass skirt and are quickly surprised to find out that our costumes don’t always represent what is available for purchase in the lūʻau aisle at the nearest party store. Our number one and most often compliment after a performance is when people tell us how much they loved our show and how much they learned from it. Hearing that makes us proud.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is home for us and although our type of business is very popular on the West Coast, we have a great opportunity to share our knowledge here where there is very little access to the type of information we share. This city is very culturally and artistically diverse which also allows us to fit right into the numerous cultural and artistic opportunities that are available throughout the year. From park district events and festivals to residential back yard parties, we are able to share the Aloha spirit all over Chicagoland and the Midwest. With the large dance workshops that we host every year, bringing in Master teachers from the islands, being in Chicago allows other groups like ours from all over the Midwest to easily travel here, book a stay and learn as well.
Many people living in Chicago have traveled to the islands so we are able to bring them back in a way. Others may never have a chance to visit and with our academy or our shows, they too can experience the beauty of the islands. Hōkūleʻa Academy provides beginners and experienced dancers a place to learn and grow. Our strict curriculum instills a great deal of pride, discipline and dedication to our younger students. This provides an outlet for the youth of Chicago to grow in and become respectable people in the community. Our shows offer an experience to Chicagoans that is unique and unlike other things that are offered here.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5180 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60630
- Website: www.dancehokulea.com
- Phone: 8477228098
- Email: dancehokulea@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancehokulea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancehokulea
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hokulea-academy-of-polynesian-arts-chicago
Image Credit:
Chris Saquido
Debbie Acevedo
Kaponi & Kepeli
Sophie Fischler
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