An 18-month-old from Hawaiʻi is capturing hearts online after a sweet video showed him enthusiastically joining hula practice with his parents. Barely steady on his feet, little Kuanaoo “Kua” Burke is already taking his first steps into the world of traditional dance.
The viral clip, which has racked up more than 10 million views, features Kua toddling alongside members of Ke Kai O Kahiki, the hālau where his parents dance in Laie, Hawaiʻi. Though he’s still mastering how to walk, Kua is already a regular presence at rehearsals, happily mimicking movements around him.
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His parents say his interest in hula began as soon as he learned how to stand. According to his father, Kaehukai Burke, one particular movement has become Kua’s favorite. The energetic stomping sequence, known as the kui, seems to spark his excitement.
“It involves stomping and movement, and that really draws him in,” Kaehukai shared, explaining that the rhythm and call-and-response make the dance especially engaging for a young child.
Both of Kua’s parents, Kaehukai and Kilihea Burke, are professional hula dancers who met through the art while in college. Now, they are raising their son in the same cultural environment that shaped their own lives. Kilihea says bringing Kua to practice feels natural, thanks to a supportive hālau that welcomes families and children.
That sense of community extends beyond the studio. Ke Kai O Kahiki is preparing for international and prestigious performances, including a January trip to London for the opening of a Native Hawaiian exhibit at the British Museum. Later this spring, the group will also take the stage at the renowned Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.
For now, Kua is free to explore hula in his own way—through tiny stomps, joyful curiosity, and a cultural connection already growing strong.
