About Us

About Melelana

Melelana is a Polynesian style entertainment group bringing a bit of Aloha to the DC area. Melelana provides luau dance entertainment for all occasions. Our dancers showcase a variety of dance styles including Hawaiian hula, Tahitian and Maori poi ball spinning in stunning authentic costumes to beautiful island music.

Melelana dance will thoroughly entertain & engage with your guests to ensure smiles all around. Our standard show is one hour in length (shorter or longer based on your needs) and immerses your guests in the sights, sounds and feeling of the islands. Audience members will have the opportunity to join our dancers (at discretion of host) to learn a little bit of hula or Tahitian dance. Photo ops with our dancers in costume are available immediately following the show. Lei greetings & fire poi performances also available.

Melelana dance also provides dance instruction in hula, Tahitian and Maori poi spinning. Private or semi-private classes are available in our Silver Spring studio, venue of your choice or online via the Zoom platform. Contact us for more information.

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Luau Shows

Luau Shows

Let Melelana Dance entertain your guests at your next private party, corporate event or fundraiser. We service the DC metro area including DC, northern VA, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Howard and Anne Arudel counties in MD. Additional fees may apply for travel to locations outside our service area. Contact us for availability.

Hōʻike Melelana maʻamau (Melelana Standard show) is $575 and includes:

  • 1 hour dance entertainment to recorded music with narration
  • Elegant Hawaiian Hula, fascinating Maori poi twirling & Exciting Tahitian dance
  • 3 Experienced professional dancers
  • Authentic hand crafted costumes with multiple costume changes
  • Audience participation (at discretion of host/hostess)
  • Polynesian themed gift for guest of honor/host
  • 10 minute Photo opportunity with dancers immediately following show

Hula wale nō (Hula only show) is $395 and includes:

  • 45 minute dance entertainment to recorded music with narration
  • Elegant Hawaiian Hula is the sole focus of this show
  • 2 Experienced professional dancers
  • Authentic hand crafted costumes with multiple costume changes
  • Audience participation (at discretion of host/hostess)
  • Polynesian themed gift for guest of honor/host
  • 10 minute Photo opportunity with dancers immediately following show

Emi Loa (Budget) Show is $225 and includes:

  • 40 minute dance entertainment to recorded music with narration
  • Elegant Hawaiian Hula
  • 1 Experienced professional dancer
  • Authentic hand crafted costume (no costume changes)
  • Audience participation (at discretion of host/hostess)
  • Polynesian themed gift for guest of honor/host
  • 10 minute Photo opportunity with dancer immediately following show

Variations to show (additional dancers, longer/shorter show, interactive experience) can be accommodated. Contact us for custom show pricing.

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Special requests such as inclusion of your favorte Hawaiian song, or a particular costume type, or Hawaiian birthday sing-a-long can often be accommodated. Contact us with your special request.

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Additional a-la-carte Services:

  • Lei Greeting (per 20 minutes) — $50 per greeter — Get your guests “lei’d”. The ladies of Melelana will greet your guests with Aloha as they arrive at your event and adorn them with decorative leis provided by the host/hostess
  • Fire poi finale performance (outdoors only) — $75 — A finale fire performance your guests will not soon forget.
  • Additional 20 minute photo opportunity time – $25 per dancer

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Add a hand-made Hawaiian themed gift or souvenir. Available hand-made gifts include Hawaiian print facemasks, Hawaiian print oven mitts, foam flower hair clips, shell jewelry, floral print or tribal print Professional quality Hula Pa’u skirts. Rayon floral printed sarongs (not hand made by Melelana) can also be added to your show package. Hand made add-on items may not be readily available. Additional lead time may be necessary depending on the item and quantity desired. Contact us for details.

Dance Lessons

Melelana Dance offers both group and private classes in Hula, Tahitian and Maori poi spinning. Private classes are available for adults and teens 14+ in our Silver Spring in-home studio or DC metro area venue of your choice (your home, community center, school). Virtual classes are also available on Zoom.

For more information about any class, or to schedule private lessons, email info@melelanadance.com

Pricing for Private Lessons:

  • Introduction to Hula series (8 sessions): $240
  • Introduction to Tahitian dance (6 sessions): $200
  • Continuing classes:
    • In-studio & virtual classes: $40 per session
    • Off-Site classes: $50+ per session (depending on mileage)
    • Performance group and performance group prep classes are also available to select students who have completed both Intro series courses, mastered basic Hula and Ori Tahiti techniques, and have an interest in performing.

Latest News

Spring 2025 classes

Gaithersburg, MD
Group Intro to Hula classes for adult age 14+ are available through The City of Gaithersburg Department of Recreation. Spring classes begin Apr 14, 2025; every Monday evening at 7:00 pm at Casey Community Center. For additional info and registration, click here.
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Gaithersburg, MD **NEW**
Intermediate Hula classes for students who have completed the Intro to Hula course are now available thru the City of Gaithersburg Department of Recreation. Spring classes begin April 14, 2025. Classes are every Monday at 6:00 pm at Casey Community Center. For additional info and registration, click here.
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Wheaton, MD
Intro to Hula classes for adults age 16+ are available through Montgomery County Department of Recreation. Spring classes begin April 9, 2025 Wednesday evening at 5:00 pm at Wheaton Community Center located at 11701 Georgia Avenue. Wheaton, MD. For additional info and registration, click here.
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Rockville, MD
Group Hula classes (intermediate) for adults 55+ are available through Holiday Park Senior Center. The new session begins Monday March 24th. Classes are 1pm-1:50pm. Contact Holiday Park Senior Center for additional information and registration. (240) 777-4999

Fall 2023 Group Hula classes

Gaithersburg, MD
Group Intro to Hula classes for adult age 12+ are available through The City of Gaithersburg Department of Recreation. Fall classes begin September 11, 2023; every Monday evening at 7:00 pm at Casey Community Center located at 810 S Frederick Ave Gaithersburg MD. For additional info and registration, click here.
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Gaithersburg, MD
Intermediate Hula classes for students who have completed the Intro to Hula course are now available at the City of Gaithersburg Department of Recreation. Fall classes begin Sept 11, every Monday at 6:00 pm at Casey Community Center Located at 810 S Frederick Ave Gaithersburg. For additional info and registration, click here.
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Wheaton, MD
Intro to Hula classes for adults age 14+ are available through Montgomery County Department of Recreation. Fall classes begin Sept 13, 2023 every Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm at Wheaton Community Center located at 11701 Georgia Avenue. Wheaton, MD. For additional info and registration, click here.
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Rockville, MD
Group Hula classes (intermediate) for adults 55+ are available through Holiday Park Senior Center. The new session begins Monday September 18th. Classes are 1pm-1:50pm. Contact Holiday Park Senior Center for additional information and registration. (240) 777-4999

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