Charlene Campbell

Healani Youn

Tammy Ipolani Silva

Kawaikapuokalani Hewett

Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett is the kumu hula of Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuolani Pa Olapa Kahiko, established in 1978. In his youth, he received specialized training from his grandmother, Eva Kana’e, and studied under Edith Kanaka’ole while attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He also studied with Aunty Emma Defries, and has since been recognized as her protégé. His work in the field of Hawaiian culture takes him off island and abroad on a regular basis. His halau now includes students from Kauai, Maui, O’ahu and Japan.  In addition, Kawaikapuokalani has served the hula community as a judge in various competitions, and has generously shared his compositions with numerous halau hula.

Mo’oku’auhau

Eva Kana’e, Edith Kanaka’ole, Emma Defries

‘Olelo No’eau

1984 Graduate of St. Louis High School, 1991 Psychology undergraduate of University of San Francisco, 1993 Master’s Graduate of Gerontology Social Work, University of Hawaii. Thesis study completed for the Developmentally Disabled’s Long-Term housing issues. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Engineer Officer in the US Army in 1987, with a US Army Honorable Discharge as an Engineer Captain.
Licensed as a Minister in Hawaii since 1994, Ministering and counseling, supporting the Churches of Christ on Oahu, in Hilo, Guam, and Maui . Performed Medical Social Work at Kuakini Hospital, Honolulu, in specialized care with terminal cancer patients. Worked as a Child Sex Abuse Investigative Social Worker and currently, works full-time as a DHS Adult Protective Services Investigative Social Worker specializing in interventions for harm prevention in volatile and imminent death circumstances.
Accomplished hula dancer since 1978 started studying hula from Mililani Lau being a participant in the Queen Liliu’okalani Kualoa Hula competitions in 1978 and 1979.
Most notable tutelage under hula master and chanter, Darrell ‘Ihi’ihilauakea Lupenui with the Men of Waimapuna, since 1979, until his death in 1987. Accomplishments include 1st place winner in Kahiko, Auwana, and Overall at the Merrie Monarch hula festivals in 1986 dancing as one the Men of Waimapuna, and assisting in the 1985 1st place winners in Kahiko, Auwana, and Overall with the Ladies of Keala o Ka Laua’e.
Other Waimapuna 1st and 2nd place kahiko hula accomplishments include the Kamehameha hula competitions in 1982, 1983, 1984.

1st place in both Men’s Group Kahiko and Auwana under Leilani Sharpe Mendez at the Ia’oe e Kala competition, Hayward, California, 1989

1st place in the Brown Bags to Stardom St. Louis High School in 1983.

2nd place winner of two Frank B. Shaner Falsetto contests in 1995 and in 2007.

Musician for Halau Pua o Na Ali’i at 2009 George Na’ope Lanakilakeikiahi’ali’i competition in Modesto, Calif. 1st place Kaikamahine Auwana Solo and 1st place Kaikamihine Auwana group. Other musical accolades include 2007, 2008, and most recently, 2009 Kalakaua competition on Oahu with 1st place Auwana Wahine, 1st place Auwana Group Kaikamahine, 1st place Auwana Kaikamahine Soloist.
Also provides blessings/weddings/funerals/vow-renewal ministerial services for the Outrigger Reef, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Hotels, the Waikiki Beach Walk, and many other O’ahu venues.
Currently serves as director and sole proprieter of Halau Kawailaniakea, residing upon Makakilo, Oahu. Husband of 15 yrs to Kimberly Ann Kau’ilanikihikau Arista and father of two wonderful children, Jessica Nicole Anolani (12) and Joseph Rhys ‘Ihi’ihilauakea (8).

In 1984, Keala danced with The Men of Waimapuna under the direction of Darrell Ihi'ihilaukea Lupenui when they participated in the King Kamehameha Hula and Chant competition and in 1986, when they competed in the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival.  In 1999, Keala became a practitioner of Ho’oponopono with Kupuna Malia Craver, a cultural specialist at the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center. Currently a resident of Kona, Hawaii, Keala attends the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and West O’ahu, working on double bachelor’s degrees (completion December 2003) in Elementary Education, focusing on education Hawaiian Children and on Counseling individuals who are substance abusers.  He teaches Hawaiian  Studies to grades k-8 at Ke Kula’o ‘Ehunukaimalino (a Hawaiian immersion School) in Kealakekua, Kona.  Keala studies with the papa Kumu Hula under the direction of Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani  Hewett. He is a spiritual brother to the Ladies of Kawaikahe Lani Malie and The Men of Kahulaliwai with Blaine Kamalani Kia. He also advises a Wai Iwi Ola in Kailua-Kona and Lalau Na Wai Ola of Sunnyvale, California, Led by Kumu Ka’i Isa-Kahaku and the Hau’oli Hula Studios in Japan, led by Kumu  Arleen Hau’oli.

Mo’oku’auhau

The Late Darrell Ihi’ihilauakea Lupenui, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Auntie Malia Craver

‘Olelo No’eau

Kumu hula Charles Kaupu has lived in Hawaii all his life save for three years spent in Okinawa.  Born and raised on the island of O’ahu, he has for the last 16 years been on the island of Maui.  His family comes from the island of Moloka’I with another part of the family well established on the island of Hawaii as well.  He has spent the better part of his life teaching, be it history, culture, religion, lecturing not only at Maui Community College, Maui Campus, but on the islands of Lana’I and Moloka’I as well.  He has also traveled to Washington DC to lecture at the National Geographic headquarters, performing there as well at the Smithsonian National museum of the American Indians ground breaking ceremony.  Charles’ expertise is in “oli,” the ancient art of polynesian chant handed down through the ages, comes from formal schooling as well as from family practices, kupuna (teachers), and personal mentors.  He has earned the right of passage in the traditional sense of graduation called an “Uniki” through a process called “’Ai-lolo,” which literally means,
“to eat the brain,” a symbolic eating ritual of a consecrated food source, after which the graduation performance is showcased.  Charles became kumu hula (instructor) in 1979 and has been teaching chant and dance these many years.  He first became a part of the musical troop HAPA in 1993 and continues to travel and perform with HAPA today.  “We have been so fortunate to have been invited to the many interesting places through the years,” says Kaupu, places like the Folk Alliance music festival in Washington DC, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and even Telluride’s Blue Grass festival and many places in between.  It has been magical even today…

Mo’oku’auhau

Keone Nunes  is Hawaiian and a lifelong resident of the Wai’anae Coast on the island of Oahu, Hawai`i.  A graduate of Wai’anae High School, Keone has been involved in many aspects of community empowerment locally, nationally, and internationally through working with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Hale Ola Ho’opakolea, and CHP International. 
Keone is one of Hawai`i’s leading experts on the Polynesian traditions of kakau (tattooing). As a kahuna ka uhi (expert tattooist), he exclusively uses traditional Hawaiian tools in his work which are rooted in a long lineage of practice, genealogy and protocols. He studied under the late Su`a sulu`ape Paulo (Samoa) in the use of traditional Polynesian implements. Keone received the title of Su`a Sulu`ape in Falese`ela, Samoa.
Keone is a graduate of the University of Hawai`i, Manoa with a degree in Anthropology and a certificate in Hawaiian language. Keone is a respected cultural resource and a fluent Hawaiian speaker and a cultural consultant to the Bishop Museum (Honolulu, HI), Peabody/Essex Museum (Salem, MA), and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (Washington D.C.) - in addition to being an adjunct staff at the Bishop Museum and Project Manager for ACKCO Inc., the Pacific Region of the Administration of Native Americans (ANA).

Keone Nunes was not interested in tattooing at first, but he knew a lot about his Hawaiian culture. When he did get involved in tattooing, he therefore knew more than most about traditional designs.

With the help of Kandi Everett, Nunes got his first tattooing machine in 1991 and began to work. He noticed that the only people who were doing traditional tattoos were Samoans, who were protective of their art form, so Nunes learned techniques from that tradition of tattooing.

Nunes then returned to his roots and learned about ancient Hawaiian traditions and kakau. He's spoken with many kupuna about the art form, and learned many traditional designs. Hawaiian tattoos are asymmetrically placed on the body, and most every part of the body can be tattooed — but always asymmetrically. Nunes feels Hawaiian tattoo designs are bolder and larger than Maori or Samoan forms. He speculates this could be due to the fact that Hawaiian tattoos have more to do with individual identification than for ceremonial purposes.

Kumu Charleen Kalae Campbell’s mother, Beatrice Leilani Maka`ipo Nakamura, started the Kodak Hula Show in 1955. Aunty Leilani had danced with famed Bill Aliiloa Lincoln. Every week at Kodak, she made the ti leaf skirts (pa`u la`i) for herself and the other dancers. The Kodak Hula Show was performed often, with lively dance numbers in the hot sun -- it was vital that the fresh skirts be well-made. 

At age 4, Kalae helped sort and clean leaves, then learned to make the skirts. In 1973, she became a show dancer, joining her sister and mother. When the show ended in 2002, Kalae had been a musician, singer, hula dancer, narrator, chanter, hula supervisor, comic hula dancer, and even Tahitian drummer!

As a child, her mother taught her hula, followed by a respected group: Nona Beamer at Kamehameha Schools; Henry Pa, Leilani Sharpe-Mendez, and Darrell Lupenui. Of them all, only her mother remains alive, but the hula of each teacher lives on in Kalae.  

In the late 1990's, she dreamed of Darrell, and knew it was time for her to teach. She opened Halau Kalae Ma Ka Ipo O Na Hulu Mamo, placing her mother's name (Maka`ipo), and honoring all her kumu as the feathers in her lei (na hulu mamo).

A sought-after musician with a beautiful voice, she has played for Chinky Mahoe's award-winning Halau Hula `O Kawaili`ula for many years, travelling the world. She has also been with the Aloha Boat Days show for 8 years.

Kalae's name is the first one mentioned when you want a ti-leaf skirt maker. You see her skirts regularly in hula shows and competitions everywhere, including Merrie Monarch. Skirts made with her techniques are beautifully formed, move well, last a long time and will not become loose. Our conferees are very fortunate to learn the art of ti-leaf skirt construction from the best.

From 1979 through 1987, Derek Kia'áina Nu'uhiwa studied hula from the young age of 14 years old under the direction of the late Darrell 'Ihi'ihilauakea Lupenui, Kumu Hula of the world-renowned Men of Waimápuna.
After Darrell's passing in 1987, Derek continued dancing, but this time professionally, for almost a decade. He performed locally with the Tavana's Polynesian Show and Germaine's Lu'au, and then traveled abroad, both domestically and foreign, to over 16 countries.

In 1991, Derek received Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and was blessed to participate in the Hula Ministry at the Word of Life Christian Center before opening his own hula ministry, Ke Ali'i O Ka Malu, on April 19, 1994.
In 1996, two promoters from Japan came to Hawai'i to invite Darrell to teach in Tokyo. After learning of Darrell's passing, they sought out many of Darrell's students, Derek included, to continue the teaching of Darrell's legacy of hula in Japan. To date, Derek has been teaching in Tokyo for over 14 years.

Derek met his love, Yoko, while teaching her hula in Tokyo, and 4 years later in 2000 they were married. They now live in Wai'anae, Hawai'i teaching hula together and raising their 3 lovely children: Joy (7), Fay (3) and Noah (1).
In 2010, they achieved their life's dream which is to "Teach Hula to the World" when they opened the net's 1st Online Hula Lesson Membership website entitled "Web Hula".

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Greg has been involved in Hawaiian and Polynesian dance for over 30 years. He started dancing in 1974 while growing up in San Francisco, California and later returned to the islands.

As a professional dancer, he has performed at such showrooms as the Waikiki Calls, Voyage, The South Seas Village at the Hawaiian Hut, Tahitian Lanai and the Polynesian Palace. He has traveled to perform and teach in Japan, Korea, Tahiti and the West Coast.He was an assistant instructor (Alaka'i) for Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka, Kumu Hula Aloha Dalire from 1994 to 2000.  He continues to teach hula classes for the State of Hawai’i, Department of Education, Community Schools Adult Education Program at Kaiser High School since 1992. He is now the Kumu Hula of Halau Kawaihoa, which was established in August, 2000. He and his wife "Nena" have been married since 1979 and have three children.  They have lived in Kane'ohe, Hawai'i since 1983. Their  company, HO'ALA HAWAI'I,  publishes a monthly hula newsletter called HULA MAI 'OE; teach and consult in hula productions, costuming and dance,  and produce hand-made hawaiian bags and accessories. Their website is www.hoalahawaii.com and email is hula@hoalahawaii.com.

Mo’oku’auhau

In San Francisco, California, he studied with the late Kumu Hula Tiare Clifford and later with Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu. After moving to Kane'ohe, Hawai'i, he continued training under the late Kumu Hula Darrell Lupenui and later with the late Kumu Hula Leilani Sharpe Mendez. After their passing, he continued with Na Kumu Hula Iwalani Tseu, Teitu Kame'enui, Aloha Dalire and Kimo Alama Keaulana where he received his ‘uniki rights in 2000.

‘Olelo No’eau

Ka wai hoa

“Binding life giving waters”

Kawaihoa" is the special heritage from which this organization is founded.  "Ka wai" - the water, represents the many Kumu Hula and Hälau that have shared their knowledge and experiences, like the life-giving waters; "hoa" - companion or friend, to bind: represents these relationships and friendships that are important for our development and growth.