Hula Afi

Hula Āfi shows are completely customizable to your needs.
You may plan the performance as a surprise, adjust the number of performers, length of show, which islands you would like to be included, book a show with or without fire performances, and even make specific song requests.
Most Hula Āfi shows include live drumming and consist of multiple costume changes with performances from several different islands and can include partner dances and multiple fire performances.

Example general show outline:
- Lei greeting
- MC Introduction
- Opening fast number
- Various numbers consisting of different islands (both fast and slow)
- Audience participation numbers
- Fire performances
- Closing number with the entire cast
- Photo op

Hula Āfi Special Requests:
Special requests are subject to performer/service availability and therefore are not guaranteed.
Please notify Hula Āfi of special requests as early as possible so that we may accommodate the request to the best of our ability.
PLEASE NOTE that some special requests may increase your quote because they require hiring additional talent, time, or resources.
All requests are encouraged to be discussed over a phone call.

Example requests:
- Fire torches
- Fire poi
- Fire eating
- Fire breathing
- Samoan fireknife (single)
- Samoan fireknife (doubles)
- LED Samoan fireknife
- LED poi
- Polynesian themed backdrop rental
- Polynesian themed prop rental
- Lei Greeters (lei not included)
- Lei orders (please request our lei order PDF to view options)
- Audience participation numbers
- Photo op with fire
- Moana character appearance
- Polynesian dance class with Moana
- Polynesian dance class
- Polynesian drumming class
- Samoan fireknife class (no flame; utilizing a beginner-safe practice knife)
- Mermaid (swimming and non-swimming)
- Chinese lion dance
- DJ
- Bartender
- Event photographer
- Event videographer
- Event sign calligraphy

About us:
Hula Āfi is a cultural entertainment group founded by Cassandra Liu and Rex Tiumalu and located in Los Angeles, CA.
Our mission is to share Polynesian and East Asian culture through entertainment and assist in Polynesian land preservation and local animal rescue.

History:
Hula Āfi is Polynesian and Asian American owned!
Rex is of Samoan descent from both Western and American Samoa, and Cassandra is of indigenous Taiwanese descent.
Rex's parents were some of the first Polynesian dancers to perform at Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort and Seaworld Orlando.
They have trained Rex in Polynesian dance since he was four years old and supported him through numerous Samoan fireknife championships, most notably, his three world championship titles.
Cassandra is a Polynesian culture practitioner with several years of experience training with competitive Polynesian dance schools in the Hawaiian hula, 'ori Tahiti, and siva Samoa genres.

Cultural education:
It is Hula Āfi's top priority to educate both audience members and performers on the exploitation of Polynesian culture in order to decrease cultural appropriation and increase cultural education.
All Hula Āfi performers attend a minimum of several months of classes in Polynesian culture and dance training before being allowed to perform for private clients.
In order to avoid the common occurrence of hiring performers with general dance background and only teaching them Polynesian dance choreography, Hula Āfi performers are taught the following:
- History and cultural significance of several Polynesian islands and their respective dances
- Greetings and basic words in Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, and Tongan
- Cultural etiquette and practices of Eastern and Western Polynesia

Fire Safety:
Hula Āfi is one of very few Polynesian entertainment companies in Southern California that holds specialty insurance for fire performances.
This insurance covers all Hula Āfi fire performers and assistants, as well as clients, audience members, and venues.
Hula Āfi will always include a trained fire safety professional with their fire performer(s) to ensure a safe and stress-free performance for everyone involved.

Accessible entertainment:
Hula Āfi provides discounted performances for certain non-profit organizations, schools, and causes and will always do their best to create accessible entertainment (ASL interpreters, special lighting/sound needs, etc.)

STAGING:
Hula Āfi does not provide staging but has plenty of experience adjusting to small and/or unique performance spaces.
It is preferable to send photos and videos of the performance space prior to the day of service so that a safe performance may be prepared.
Please keep in mind that Hula Āfi performers will be barefoot for Polynesian performances, therefore barefoot-friendly surfaces are recommended.
If a safe surface cannot be provided, Hula Āfi will be performing in sandals which may affect the quality of the performance.
Hula Āfi provides Polynesian themed backdrops and props for rental upon request.

LIGHTING:
Hula Āfi is able to provide two can lights for stage lighting, no outlet needed, free of charge.
Lighting is usually not required for Hula Āfi performances.
Please notify Hula Āfi regarding lighting needs at least 48 hours in advance of the performance date.

SOUND:
Hula Āfi supplies bluetooth speakers and microphones free of charge, no outlet needed.
Live Polynesian drumming demonstrations are often included in Hula Āfi performances, but not guaranteed.
Please notify Hula Āfi at least 2 weeks in advance if expected audience attendance is over 50 guests, and/or the performance is located at an outdoor venue. Additional sound equipment may need to be rented at an additional cost, or Hula Āfi will require bluetooth access to the venue sound system.

FIRE PERFORMANCE AND LIABILITY INSURANCE:
Hula Āfi's insurance policy and/or certificates will be provided upon request.
Please understand that certificates are venue-specific. The venue address must be provided to Hula Āfi first before application for COI can begin. Certificate requests can take 2 business days to process through the insurance agency.
Please take this into consideration if there is a time-sensitive performance request.

DEPOSIT:
Hula Āfi requires a non-refundable deposit in order to book services with the exception of pre-discussed Net30 clients.
The deposit amount varies depending on the total cost of the performance.
In the event of an emergency, clients are more than welcome to reschedule their performance as long as Hula Āfi is notified within 48 hours in advance of the original performance date.

REFUNDS:
Hula Āfi does not offer refunds of any amount once performers are onsite. If a refund is requested for any reason, Hula Āfi will review the booking policies with the client and make sure that all Hula Āfi policies have been followed. If any policies were not followed, Hula Āfi will not issue a refund of any amount. If Hula Āfi finds that all policies were followed and the performance was still lacking, Hula Āfi will come to an agreement with the client.

PERFORMANCE START TIME:
Hula Āfi requires the following to begin and end performances on time. If these requirements are not met, the client understands that Hula Āfi does not assume responsibility for performance late starts, performance package cuts, or overtime.
- Hula Āfi and the client must finalize details over a phone call at least 4 hours before the start of the performance.
- Any information regarding venue check-in procedures must be communicated to Hula Āfi prior to performer onsite arrival.
- Hula Āfi requires at least one parking spot available, as close to the performance area as possible, 1 hour before the start of the performance for load-in, and 1 hour for load-out.
- Hula Āfi requires access to the venue and performance area at least 1 hour before the start of the performance
- Hula Āfi requires immediate communication with the event coordinator upon performer on-site arrival.
- Hula Āfi requires a changing room close enough to the performance area to allow for 1-2 minute quick changes during the show. The changing room must be made non-accessible to other staff and/or guests to prevent Hula Āfi performers from losing costume items or being locked out. Hula Āfi must have changing room access at least 1 hour before the start of the show.
- Hula Āfi requires immediate access to a restroom that is NOT a porta potty to prevent damage to costumes.
- If Hula Āfi speakers are being utilized during the day, a shaded area close enough to allow bluetooth connection must be provided to prevent Hula Āfi speakers from frying.
- Hula Āfi requires access to the DJ or sound system at least 1 hour before the start of the performance if collaborating for sound. The DJ or sound system must have bluetooth compatibility.
- Hula Āfi drums, stage props, and fire equipment must remain off-limits to all audience members, including children, once placed on stage. The client is responsible for denying audience access to all equipment in the stage area. Hula Āfi performers are unable to prepare the performance and change into costumes on time if a performer is needed to act as security for equipment.
- If a client requests specific audience members to be used for audience participation, the names of the audience members must be provided in writing prior to the start of the performance. Requested audience members must be physically present at the performance and located as close to the performance area as possible to prevent time wasted searching for them and bringing them on stage.
- Any information regarding venue “hard out” time must be previously communicated to Hula Āfi before performer onsite arrival.

OVERTIME:
Hula Āfi charges an overtime fee of an additional $25 per performer, per half hour that they are needed past the performance time period after it has been confirmed and performers are physically on-site.
Hula Āfi allots a half hour "grace period" before charging the overtime rate, and will always notify clients prior to entering the overtime rate.
For example, if on the day of the performance, Hula Āfi performers are on-site and scheduled to start at 7pm, the client may push the performance back to 7:30pm at no extra charge.
If the client wishes to start the performance even later, for example, 8pm, the client will be charged an additional $25 per performer for overtime.

DIRECT BOOKINGS:
Hula Āfi accepts direct bookings via cash, Zelle, Paypal, and Venmo. Direct bookings with contact through Gigsalad will still be charged the Gigsalad fee at the performer rate to account for Hula Āfi's platform usage fees in order to mark the bookings as verified bookings. Net30 clients must disclose net30 status prior to booking and may issue a check to be received within 30 days after the performance date. If payment is not received by the due date on the provided invoice, Hula Āfi will charge a $25 fee per day of payment not being received.

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION AND SAFETY POLICY:
Hula Āfi does not tolerate cultural appropriation and will do their best to educate clients on how to avoid contributing to the exploitation of Polynesian culture.
If Hula Āfi performers notice something culturally problematic at an event, they will do their best to kindly notify the client and help make necessary adjustments.
If Hula Āfi performers are being harassed, disrespected, or feel unsafe in any manner, they will again, notify the client and aim to resolve the issue.
If Hula Āfi performers continue to feel uncomfortable or unsafe after conscious efforts to resolve the issue with the client, Hula Āfi performers reserve the right to refuse service and leave venue premises without issuing a refund.
If cameras are present within spaces provided to Hula Āfi performers for costume changing, these cameras must be disclosed upon performer arrival. If undisclosed cameras are found, both working and non-working, hidden and/or in plain sight, Hula Āfi performers reserve the right to refuse service and leave the venue premises without issuing a refund.

RENTALS:
All rental item prices reflect client pick up and drop off from Alhambra, CA 91803. Delivery services may be requested but not guaranteed and additional fees may apply. Hula Āfi does not guarantee assistance with rental setup and breakdown. Hula Āfi and the client will inspect the rentals together and create photo documentation of rental item condition prior to rental usage. By renting from Hula Āfi, the client agrees to pay for any damages beyond normal wear and tear of rental items upon completion of rental usage. Any major damages affecting future rental item usage will require the client to remit payment of the replacement value of the item. Hula Āfi will provide rental item replacement values upon request. Late return of rental items will accrue a fee of $50 per day late, per item.