Kanani Lokelani

About

Polynesian dancer, choreographer, and social media figure known for her captivating performances and dedication to preserving and sharing Tahitian dance known as 'Ori Tahiti. She is known for winning the 2019 'Ori Tahiti World Championship and for her TikTok and Instagram accounts which both have more than 300,000 followers each. 

Before Fame

She grew up performing with her family's dance studio Lokelani's Rhythm of the Islands. Her passion for Tahitian dance led her to become one of the most renowned 'Ori Tahiti soloists. She began winning competitions and then won the 'Ori Tahiti World Championship in 2019. Her online tutorials and workshops gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 as she was able to teach thousands of students worldwide and connect on her social media platforms. 

Trivia

She enjoys storytelling and mythology and often incorporates Polynesian myths into her dance routines and choreography. She is the co-founder of Fale Polynesia LLC dance studio in California.

Family Life

She was born in the Hawaiian Islands. She was raised in a Hawaiian and Samoan household deeply rooted in Polynesian traditions.

Associated With

She and Jerrica Alyssa both trained in Polynesian dance and danced professionally.