Linda Kuma is the co-founder, co-owner, and beloved matriarch of The Polynesian Club of Fresno / No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa. For over 50 years, she has served as the "radiant heart" of the Central Valley's Polynesian community, preserving and sharing Pacific Island arts across generations. 

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• Sparked by a First Birthday Luau: The entire dance club—which today boasts over 300 active dancers, musicians, and drummers—was born out of a family milestone. In 1971, Linda and her late husband, Kolei Fiefononga Kuma, threw a backyard luau to celebrate their son's first birthday. The festive gathering was such a hit that community members begged them to start a permanent dance group, leading to the official founding of the club in 1972. 

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• The Story Behind the Name: For a long time, the group simply went by "The Polynesian Club of Fresno". True to custom, they waited until a new name was given to them by Smash & Monique Johnson. Seeing their deep devotion, they officially gifted them the name No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa, which translates to "For the Love of the Culture". 

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• Master Costume Designer: Linda is the primary creative force behind the spectacular, authentic costuming seen in the club's showcases. Even in her mid-70s, she continues to hand-craft costumes for hundreds of dancers, ensuring that the distinct, subtle differences between Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, and Hawaiian traditional garments are meticulously honored. ​​

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• "Women Leading the Way" Honoree: Because of her lifelong commitment to civic service—bringing live music and storytelling into local retirement homes, schools, and hospitals—Linda was officially recognized by the city of Fresno as a "Woman Leading the Way" in the field of Arts and Culture.

Martha Leinaʻala Kuma is the Director, Raʻatira (leader), and co-owner of The Polynesian Club of Fresno / No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa. As the daughter of founders Kolei and Linda Kuma, she has been leading the organization since 1992, steering it into a world-class cultural institution. 

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• Born into Leadership: Martha is the second child of the club's founders. She literally grew up in the studio and took over active leadership over three decades ago, keeping her family's multi-generational cultural legacy thriving in California's Central Valley.

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• The Full-Circle Educator: She began teaching traditional Pacific Island dance to children decades ago. Today, the very first generation of children she taught have grown up and now teach and lead classes right alongside her at the studio. 

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• Commitment to Cultural Authenticity: Martha fiercely believes that to keep the storytelling, history, and dances accurate, her troupe must stay closely connected to the Pacific Islands. She routinely coordinates trips back to French Polynesia and Hawaii for the studio's dancers to learn directly from regional elders and research authentic costuming.

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• A "Studio Family" Tradition: To Martha, the dance studio is not just a business, but an extended ʻohana (family). She is known for organizing grand, shared milestones for her students outside of dance—such as taking the entire studio family to watch the live-action premiere of Disney's Moana.

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• Advocate for Multiculturalism: Martha heavily values the cultural diversity of Fresno. Under her direction, the club frequently partners with local public schools, senior living spaces, and regional charity groups to share Polynesian folklore and history with non-native audiences.

Leo Kuma is an accomplished Tahitian drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and cultural instructor. He serves as a core instructor and prominent musical figure for The Polynesian Club of Fresno / No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa in California. He is well-known throughout the competitive ʻOri Tahiti (Tahitian dance) circuit for anchoring house drumming ensembles and preserving Pacific Island arts.

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• Born into a Cultural Dynasty: Leo is part of a multi-generational family dedicated to Polynesian performing arts. He grew up inside his family's dance studio business, beginning his journey into Pacific Island dance at just 4 years old and picking up traditional drumming at 7 years old. 

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• A Master of Fire Knife Dancing: In addition to keeping the heartbeat of Tahitian percussion alive, Leo is an expert in Siva Afi (Samoan fire knife dancing). Inspired as a seventh grader by a master fire dancer named Pilu from Samoa, Leo trained heavily in the dangerous art form, which he performs at major recitals and showcases.

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• Ori Tahiti House Drummer: Kuma is heavily relied upon as a competitive house drummer. He regularly collaborates with other elite percussion groups, such as Sefa Drums & Hei Tumu Ahi, to provide high-energy live rhythms for competitive dancers during high-stakes events like the Te Ori Here and Te Faʻa No Te Ori dance championships.

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• Cultural Outreach and Education: Beyond the competitive stage, Leo actively brings Polynesian history to local schools. He travels to primary classrooms and community spaces alongside family members to share traditional instrumentation, retell indigenous Pacific folklore, and showcase authentic cultural artifacts.

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• Digital Practice Pioneer: Through his digital presence on the Leo Kuma YouTube Channel, he has built a valuable archive of endurance practice videos. His recorded house drumming sessions and extended ʻOri Tahiti workout loops are heavily used by dancers worldwide to train their rhythm and stamina. 

Kolei Tevita Etoni Kuma (often referred to simply as Kolei Kuma) is a third-generation dancer, instructor, and prominent cultural leader at The Polynesian Club of Fresno / No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa. Carrying the name of his late grandfather and club founder, Kolei Fiefononga Kuma, he plays a vital role in keeping his family’s rich Tongan and pan-Polynesian heritage alive in California's Central Valley. 

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• Leader of the Men's Dance Program: Kolei is a principal male instructor for the club, leading the studio's highly popular Men's Dance Classes. He is dedicated to mentoring male dancers of all ages, teaching them the high-energy mechanics, strength, and rhythmic precision required for traditional Tongan, Samoan, and Tahitian warrior dances. 

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• Danced at Heiva i Tahiti: During a trip to French Polynesia, he was invited to dance at Heiva i Tahiti in 2025 with the legendary group Te Maeva.

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• Championship Couples Competitor: Alongside partner Ariana Ojeda, Kolei is an elite competitive dancer on the West Coast festival circuit. He represents Fresno at high-stakes events like the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fête, where the duo is celebrated for their intricate Tahitian Dance Couples Routines. 

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• Carrying a Heavy Family Legacy: He bears a highly significant name in Fresno's cultural history. The original group was founded in 1972 specifically to celebrate the 1st birthday of his late father (Kolei Etoni Kuma, nicknamed "Kolei Sii"). By stepping up as a modern studio director and head choreographer, he honors both his father and grandfather's pioneering work. 

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• Expanding the Fresno Culture Scene: Deeply passionate about accessible cultural education, Kolei helps anchor community outreach programs. He teaches open-house workshops, orchestrates free cultural fitness workouts, and co-directs the studio's professional traveling show team across California.

Trisha Verzosa is an elite solo competitive dancer, award-winning choreographer, and core instructor at The Polynesian Club of Fresno / No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa. Known for her elegant technique and powerful presence on stage, she is one of the studio's most highly decorated active competitors in the ʻOri Tahiti (Tahitian dance) circuit.

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• Championship-Winning Soloist: Trisha is a powerhouse on the competitive stage, holding multiple major solo titles. She brought home 1st place in the Masters division at the prestigious San Jose Tahiti Fête, claimed 1st place as the Overall Finalist in the Advanced Masters category at the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fête, and won 1st place in the Mehura Ahuroa 35+ division at the Manahere Ori i Tahiti competition. 

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• Talented Choreographer & Teacher: Beyond her own solo success, Trisha is a vital mentor inside the studio. She crafts award-winning choreography for the club's students, such as putting together beautifully expressive Aparima and Mehura pieces for up-and-coming dancers competing at major events like Heiva i San Diego. 

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• Balancing Art with Healthcare: Outside of her intense training and teaching schedule at the dance studio, Trisha serves her community as a Registered Nurse at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, showcasing an incredible ability to balance a demanding healthcare career with high-level cultural arts. 

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• Aparima Master: While highly skilled in the fast-paced, rhythmic Oteʻa drum dances, Trisha is frequently recognized for her mastery of Aparima (storytelling dances using hands). Her fluid grace and emotional connection to the music famously secured her a top podium finish in the Aparima category at the highly competitive San Diego championships.

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• Oahu Performance Showcase: She was selected as part of the elite travel group of dancers who journeyed to Oahu, Hawaii with the club, where they performed traditional pieces like Fakateretere live on the islands to deeply connect with ancestral Pacific heritage.

Ariana "Ari" Ojeda is an elite competitive dancer, cultural instructor, and master artisan at The Polynesian Club of Fresno / No Te Here O Te Hiroʻa. Recognized for her artistic expression, creativity, and deep reverence for Pacific Island traditions, she is a vital pillar of the studio's teaching staff. 

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• Danced on the Grandest Stage in Tahiti: In 2025 & 2026, Ariana achieved a rare pinnacle for international ʻOri Tahiti dancers by traveling directly to French Polynesia to perform at Heiva i Tahiti. She was selected to dance with the world-renowned and historic Tahitian dance troupe, TeMaeva, representing Fresno on the global cultural stage. 

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• Championship Couples Competitor: Alongside her studio partner Kolei Kuma (the grandson of the club's founder), Ariana is highly celebrated on the West Coast festival circuit for dynamic partner dancing. The duo competes at major events like the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fête, captivating crowds with their synchronized and high-energy Tahitian Dance Couples Routines. 

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• Award-Winning Soloist: In addition to her group and partner performances, Ariana is a heavily decorated soloist. She claimed a 2nd place podium finish at the highly competitive Kiki Raina festival and placed Top 3 in the global Te Ori Ora Virtual ʻOri Tahiti Dance Competition, earning immense praise from judges for her grace and authenticity. 

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• Master of Lei Poʻo Crafting: Ariana is the studio's go-to expert for traditional Polynesian floral arrangements. She frequently steps out of the dance studio to lead specialized, community-wide Lei Poʻo (traditional Hawaiian head lei) workshops, teaching local families the delicate, indigenous art of weaving fresh foliage and flowers.

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• Oahu Travel Team Soloist: She was featured as part of the elite travel group that journeyed to Oahu, Hawaii, to perform an ancestral storytelling piece to Josh Tatofi's hit song, Fakateretere, connecting her California students directly to the living heritage of the islands.