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President's Message

Gail Tiwanak

Aloha, Kakou

OMG (Oh My Gosh), yes, I’m a text messager! Where has the time gone?! This past year went by in a flash, but what an amazing year it has been. During the year I visited most of the Oahu Chapters, attended the East Hawai‘i and Central Maui Anniversary Balls, and met many of our dedicated, volunteer officers. To each of you please know your leadership and service is deeply appreciated, you sustain the organization and masterfully represent HBDA in your community and for that we are forever grateful.

Dance instructors are a special “breed”. They practice for hours, drive all over the island, simplify intricate dance steps and do it all with a smile. You are fantastic! To the HBDA instructors your elegance on the dance floor, expertise, encouraging words and sense of humor are nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for the generosity of your time, talent, and love of dance. We survive and thrive because of you.

Most importantly to members and students, thank you for selecting HBDA as your dance association of choice. Dance is a skill acquired over time and we are extremely thankful that you have allowed us to be part of your life. We do what we do because of you.

I would be most remiss if I failed to recognize the best deejays ever! Our dance socials, review nights, dancing events could not go on without them. I applaud you and thank you, the contribution of time, sound systems, songs and commitment to the association is a cherished gift. We will treasure it always.

HBDA celebrates their 53rd Anniversary this year. Fifty three years of excellent leadership, thousands of hours of by volunteerism, and hundreds of students, the association is committed to sustaining the vision of founders Eugene & Harriet Ichinose. I look forward to another amazing year, hopefully it will be slower than the speed of sound! See you on the dance floor, in your communities and at HBDA events.

Aloha & Mahalo,

Gail

About Us

Welcome to the Home Page for the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association ("HBDA")! Founded in 1959, with over 2000 members on three islands, HBDA is Hawaii's largest, oldest, and strongest non-profit ballroom dance organization.

Regular classes are held in the various chapters on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights year-round. You'll find some of the top American and International volunteer dance instructors in Hawaii teaching with HBDA -- generally located in roomy neighborhood public school auditoriums. Several exciting, elegant formal, and sometimes informal dance functions, are also held around the islands -- typically in first class hotel ballrooms.

See you on the dance floor!! Come prepared to have FUN!! (HBDA is a non-profit corporation formed for the sole purpose of promoting, encouraging, and developing public appreciation of ballroom dancing in Hawaii).

Membership

Membership with the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association has many benefits. You have the opportunity to take dance lessons from excellent instructors at nominal fees and there are many dances at which to practice and perfect what you have learned. There are also other special dance functions that you are sure to enjoy. For example, you may enjoy the opportunity to be part of a choreographed dance exhibition. Besides dancing, you may be inspired to become an instructor, a chapter or association officer, or help out in other volunteer positions. Whatever you decide, it is certain to be fun and rewarding.

Membership is $15 for the fiscal year. All memberships expire on March 31 regardless of when you join. Members who join in the last quarter (January - March) of the fiscal year pay $10.

If you have any questions, please call 808.753.8673.

Palladium

The Palladium

"The Palladium" as the City and County of Honolulu's Ala Wai Recreation Center is affectionately called by the enthusiastic ballroom dancers who use it, is an open 11,000 square foot eucalyptus dance floor which was built in 1990.Map to the Palladium It is home to several State of Hawaii and National Ballroom Dance Competitions each year as well as to several other dance clubs. Much of the credit for the vision leading to construction of The Palladium for the people of Hawaii goes to the former Harriet Ichinose, and her husband Eugene (the Founder of HBDA). They were the principal driving force that spearheaded the idea for The Palladium through the myriad of governmental approvals required. A bronze plaque honoring their efforts is mounted to the left of the main entrance to the upper floor of The Palladium.

Updated 05/09/2012