Meet Jee Kalua | Whacker & Voguer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jee Kalua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jee, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
I believe what contributes to my success is the fact that I don’t chase money or success. I truly want to represent my hometown and ensure that I am genuinely making a difference in the lives I touch. My passion is people and their development, so changing a life in a positive way through dance makes everything else smooth and worthwhile.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a choreographer specializing in the dance style of whacking. What sets me apart from others is my unique choice of expression. While whacking is deeply rooted in disco, house, and funk, I enjoy venturing into other genres. I was taught to always learn a style respectfully as it was meant to be before exploring what it can become. Since I began studying this craft in 2009, it has taken a lot of learning, failing, and experimenting to get to where I am today. Was it easy? Absolutely not.

My whacking mentor, Melanie Aguirre, has been a driving force in my development. She flew me out to NYC for two weeks, where I trained intensively in our style before returning to the islands. Being part of multiple freestyle communities has taught me invaluable lessons about respect and legacy. Honoring those who came before you is crucial in this field.

I believe what has allowed me to make a living from my passion is my genuine care for the art and history of whacking, as well as for the lives it can transform. Expression is powerful, and when you teach people to love and express themselves through dance, they become unstoppable.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand and my story, it’s that anything is truly possible. I strongly believe in simplicity: if you want something, go for it. As long as you move with passion, integrity, and authenticity, the rest will follow. I have spun straw into gold countless times, and over a decade later, I’m still in love with the art I create and the people I get to influence and inspire through it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live bicoastally between Hawai’i and Los Angeles, so my plans depend on where my bestie is visiting, haha! If we’re in Los Angeles, we’ll spend three days at Disneyland, two days at Universal, and then hit up escape rooms and Korean barbecue for the last two days. When we’re in Hawai’i, we simply eat on the beach the entire week and spend time with family and friends.

One of my favorite places between the two is a hiking trail in Hawai’i called Koko Head. It’s not the easiest hike for me, but the view at the top is stunning. There’s always a rewarding, inspiring, and freeing feeling when you make it through that hike.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My chosen family—Liam Soares, Vance Medeiros, and Bronson Hamamoto—has been incredibly important to me. Moving away from home and leaving Hawai’i was a hard and scary decision, but they really pushed me to dream big and work hard to make those dreams come true. They encouraged me to push beyond average and supported me during tough times, lifting me up in every way possible.

I also want to thank my two mothers from The Iconic House of Ninja, Dolores Parisi Ninja and Destiny Gray Ninja. In my adult life, they gave me a renewed sense of purpose by allowing me to use my skills within the ballroom community and by helping me build and share knowledge to support others in their growth as artists and individuals.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeekalua/