​The members of Kalama are authentic Polynesian Dancers who specialize in dances from the islands of Tahiti, Hawaii, Samoa, and New Zealand.  They have been featured on local and national events from MTV to Univision and performed in front of celebrities such as Will Smith, John Lithgow, and The Denver Broncos.  
Kalama Polynesian Dancers have been entertaining the Mile High City since June 2007.  Kalama specializes in performances, classes, workshops, and fresh flower leis (Polynesian Products).  
Kalama includes Professional Dancers (male and female) with Fire Performers for your next Birthday Party, Wedding, Corporate Event, etc...  
Kalama also teaches students the art of Polynesian Dance.  We have performed in numerous venues throughout Colorado (Broadmoor, Cheyenne Mtn Zoo, Colorado Dragon Boat, Denver Botanical Garden, 1940's Wounded Warrior Ball, Denver Aquarium, Numerous Nursing Homes, Schools, etc... 
Kalama has hosted their own event every year called "Lei Day Celebration" at numerous locations including Parker PACE Center in Parker, CO.  This event is hosted every year in May.  
Kalama also trains students to compete in various dance Competitions throughout the year in Hula and Tahitian Dance.  
Contact us to book your next event or for class information (online classes now available too!)

Polynesian Party Planners and the Kalama Polynesian Dance Group was founded by feature dancer Glenda (Aiwa) B. Florez in 2007.  Glenda is a Professional Polynesian Dancer and instructor who has trained with many Halau (Hula Schools) across the Country.  Most of her childhood training comes from the Ilima style of dance as she started dancing at a young age (6 years old).  She has danced professionally for more than 12 years at The Mai-Kai Polynesian Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Glenda has currently more than 100 students that she instructs along with other Professional Instructors whom she mentors.  Her Team trains men and women of all ages the Art of Polynesian Dance and Fire Performances.  She is also the Founder of Halau Kalama- A Nonprofit Organization.  ​

When I started teaching in Colorado in June 2007 I had only two students and one of them was my daughter.  It was $20 to rent the studio so I was actually paying to teach one student for a long time.  I also asked my two friends - Bellydance Superstars Kaya and Sadie to help  me dance in some shows that I booked that summer.  I met them when I was still in Florida as they took some classes from me to cross train and help them with their practice.  

That summer I took my daughter with me and performed EVERYWHERE.  I went to all the festivals, hospitals, community events, and DANCED.  I passed out brochures and cards and fliers to promote dance.  We weren't event Kalama Polynesian Dancers yet.  We were Polynesian Party Planners INC- ONLY.  (I even went to festivals that didn't have any room in their programs for me.  I just turned on my sound system and danced creating a crowd all around me!)  When I think back I think to myself that people must have thought I was crazy.    Years later (after I taught myself how to dance fire poi) I wanted a strong name for our group.  We couldn't represent just the business name we needed our own name.  So I came up with Kalama which means fire/ torch...  The Kalama Family all "friended" me on Facebook and loves the fact that we use their name.  

Little by little my dance classes grew and I found myself teaching non-stop.  I taught Hula and Tahitian to adults and women-all levels.  I taught almost every day wether it was a group class or a private session.  I taught bootcamp dance classes, kids classes, etc...  It was hard but it was my passion and it paid off.  
A couple of my students later on became my Professional Dancers.  I started seeing the potential for some of them to blossom into "Lead Dancers" and then Instructors.  I always say that not all dancers can teach and I stick behind that statement.   

I am fortunate to have the group of instructors that I now have.  Our classes have grown tremendously.  What once was two students have now turned to more than 100.  I have primary instructors for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced students and now I am training the JR dancers to teach.  I believe that this will help them in life.  They will have confidence in public speaking, teaching, engaging the audience, and other skills.  It is hard to break down choreography or dance or even create dance.  

I allow all of my instructors  to be creative in their own class.  I want them to innovate and create because when I danced as a child and in my 20's  I had no say in "Choreography"  I just danced what I was told to dance.  
My instructors are extremely talented and professional.  They have experience in dance, instruction, MC, and they even are an integral part of all of my event planning, fundraising, and volunteerism.  

They (Instructors) also have helped create Halau Kalama (Nonprofit Organization) to allow all of our students to pay a minimal amount for tuition so that we can provide low - cost classes and teach Polynesian Dance to all.  
Mahalo to all my instructors.  We are Halau Kalama because of YOU! Keep up all the good work.  I truly appreciate you all.  

Also shout - out to my husband for letting me pursue my passion.  He has always backed me up with whatever I wanted to do.  He was probably the first person to think I was crazy but I know he loves Kalama and secretly is proud of me.  HA! 

*Photography from Life Reflected Photography*
PRIMARY INSTRUCTORS ~ 

• Dani Lei Martin (Beginners Hula/Intermediate Tahitian)
• Ellen Akiona (Beginners Tahitian/ Intermediate Hula)
• Ikaika Hafoka(Boys Dance Class/Fire Knife Dance Class) 

• Vanessa Santiago- (Beginners Kids Class) 
• Jontae Piper- (Intermediate Kids Class)
• Bernie Santiago- (Fire Knife Dance Class Assist)
• Nai'a Bautista- (Advanced Kids Class)
• Sierra Kolbu-(Advanced Kids Class)
• Makenzie Donberger - (Advanced Kids Class)
• Nicole Gabayan -(Past Instructor for years, All Classes) 
• Kahealani Bentosino - (Past Beginners Kids Class)
•  Julianna Monderen - (Kids Class/ Helper) 

Looks like the fire knife dance stole the show once again! Here are more pictures of our dancers with our fire show out in the SNOW. We can't wait to see you guys next year. We definately love the Colorado weather but we are ready for Sunmer! 😝

Because we are based in Colorado we have our fair share of doing events in the snow.  We do many events in Vail, Keystone, Blackhawk, etc...  We have even danced the fire knife performance in the snow.  This past weekend our dancers headed up to Arapahoe Ski Basin and performed for a VIP event.  150 guests snowshoed up the mountain to attend the event and watch our dancers HEAT UP the venue with dances from Polynesia including the fire knife dance.  We had to be creative on how we were going  to get the costumes up to the top of the mountain.  At first they were going to go on a LIFT but I didn't want the sound system or other equipment on a LIFT.  So, we opted for a snow mobile!  Yes this is what we did and it worked out wonderful.  Thanks Chris and Meredith  for you Professionalism and great job to Ellen, Ikaika, Sierra, and Shane for an awesome job at the show.  

Our 9th Annual Lei Day Celebration is coming up!  Purchase tickets now at parkerarts.org.  We are performing our New Production "The Evolution of Polynesian Dance".  We feature the ancient Kahiko to the Modern Tahitian Ori Pahu.  See you at the PACE Center in Parker, CO on May 14th.  Doors open at 630pm.  There will be light snacks available for purchase, a Country Store with Polynesian Products on sale, raffles, and silent auctions.  

The Gnarly Root is a new restaurant in Parker, CO.  Kalama Polynesian Dancers will be performing there every "First Friday" of each month at 7pm as well as a Kanikapila with Stuart Yoshida and Book Em' Danno every third Saturday of each month for lunch at 1130am.  There is no cover for our performances but it is greatly encouraged to make reservations for dinner if you would like to be in the main restaurant/ stage area.  There is also a bar and coffee hang out area for those of you that want a more social scene.