Kalae Kaina

Kalae Kaina was born and raised on Oahu.  She has been belly dancing for the past thirteen years and teaching dance for five years now.  Kalae is the artistic director and choreographer for Shakti Dance Movement, Honolulu’s first Tribal Fusion dance company.  Shakti Dance Movement has emerged from the underground club scene in Honolulu to the mainstream, performing regularly at night clubs, community events and private parties.  Kalae’s approach to belly dance is rooted in strong technique and proper execution of movement.  She firmly believes in dance as a vehicle for mind body connection and body awareness.

            Kalae began her dance journey with local instructor Jean Yanagawa in 1995.  She has since had the pleasure to study with dancers such as Rachel Brice, Kami Liddle, Zoe Jakes, Mardi Love, Sabrina Fox, Suhalia Salimpour, Kajira Djoumahna, Colleena Shakti, Ansuya, and many, many, more.  Kalae has had the wonderful opportunity to study Odissi, Classical Indian Dance, at the Odissi Institue at the Evergreen State College in Washington State with Dr. Ratna Roy.  Kalae and her company Shakti Dance Movement have made the yearly trek to study and perform abroad at Tribal Fest in Sebastopol, California since 2006.  Kalae’s dedication to technique and love of the dance keeps her constantly growing as an artist.