Rose Kapulani Joshua

Rose Kapulani Joshua
Rose Joshua established the Magic Hula Studio in 1947 and continues to teach modern and traditional hula in Waikiki.


My parents on occasion danced at parties and special events. I loved to watch the expressions on their faces as they danced. That’s what first inspired me about the hula.

I started my training under Esther Paulson in 1937. There was no such thing as a hālau back then. Esther would have to come to my home and she would train me in hula ‘auwana. In 1939 I moved on and began to train under Tom Hiona and it marked the beginning of an eight-year education. Three times a week I would go to Tom’s house on Queen Emma Street and for three hours he would train us in hula kahiko. A haumāna would begin with the fundamental steps until Tom was satisfied with her progress. Then he would introduce a particular mele which the student would practice until Tom again gave his approval. Finally, the student was allowed to rise and learn the corresponding dance step. The training was a slow, painstaking process. You didn’t move on to the next level until he was satisfied. Tom demanded a great deal but the result was the blessing of a solid foundation.

The practice of my kumu was to first feel the manao of the story and then to translate those emotions through the dance. Once I was having trouble with the mele of the hula ‘auwana “Mi Nei”. I knew all the steps but there was something missing in my movements. My mother took me aside and began to tell me an old story. She spoke of two sisters who were deeply in love with a great prince. One sister she explained, was a great beauty and the other was very plain. Now the grandmother of these two girls felt very sorry for the plain sister. She decided to teach the girl a very beautiful and magical dance that would win over the handsome prince. The prince fell in love with the plain sister and this was the story of “Mi Nei”. Because of that very special moment between my mother and I, “Mi Nei” became my most favorite hula ‘auwana.

In 1947 I began to teach. I simply had reached a point where I felt I could go out on my own so I began a career which I’ve come to love dearly. There is nothing more uplifting than to see my haumāna going out into the community and passing on the style of hula that was handed down to them. I have always tried to be respectful and faithful to the style of hula that was passed down to me by my kumu. It has been a life of great joy because I have had the blessing of being able to work at what I love.