Valerie Hostos

Valerie “Walelia Kapuakaimi” Hostos found her love of dance at a young age and grew up with music and movement playing a big part of her life. She performed the folkloric dances of Puerto Rico as a member of Grupo Taíno for 10 years. She begain studying and performing Bellydance at Alegría Studio over a decade ago. Also known by her students as “Aunty Walelia”, she has been studying  Hula (traditional Hawaiian dance) under the tutelage of Kumu Mapuana Kaleoaloha, Halau Hula Alohalani, and has become the ranking Alakaʻi (team leader) for the Awapuhi Keʻokeʻo performing team under the purview of the Halau. Aunty Walelia has advanced to the position of Traditional Hula Instructor, with the goal of sharing her love and knowledge of the Hawaiian culture in the Carolinas and surrounding southern states.