Auntie Lilinoe Lindsey began her hula training at the age of three from her Aunty, the late, Kumu Hula Joan Lindsey, (a former honoree of EPK) and has been a lifelong dancer ever since. From its humble beginnings in 1982, the hālau has been located in the ahupua`a of Waimalu and Mānana in the moku of `Ewa.
Leimomi Ho, Kumu Hula of Keali’ika’apunihonua Ke’ena A’o Hula established in March of 1984. This school of hula perpetuates the traditional hula stylings and legacy of Victoria Keali’ika’apunihonua II Rodrigues. Kumu Hula Leimomi instills within each haumana the importance of respecting the art of hula and the cultural traditions passed down by our kupuna. This is furthered with the understanding that this hula family’s participation at performances where each dancer shares the love of hula to the very best of their ability.
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.
William “Sonny” Ching was preordained that he would be the one to continue hula in his family—his grandmother and great grandmother both foresaw it.
Kuʻualohanui Kauliʻa is originally from Hawaiian Homestead Lands in Nānākuli, Oʻahu. However, currently Kuʻualoha resides on Maui. He is a kumu hula, haku mele, haku hoʻoponopono, and alakaʻi nui. Kuʻualoha recently retired from Kamehameha Schools as an Education Officer and Cultural Specialist having taught Hawaiian language, chant and dance, and facilitated in-house cultural training as a protocol officer for KS Maui Campus.
Ipolani Silva is a native Hawaiian, born and raised on the island of O'ahu. She is a member of the Kamehameha Schools graduating class of 1981, and a life-long student of polynesian dance. Her first lesson was at the age of four. She met her primary Kumu Hula Darrell Ihi'ihilauakea Lupenui and became a member of the Ladies of Keala O Ka Laua’e. After Kumu Lupenui’s passing in 1987, she then continued her studies under Chinky Mahoe and also began dancing professionally which led to her relocation to Las Vegas in 1992 with Germaine's Luau.
Kaiponohea Hale, a native of Pauoa, Oʻahu, is a 1968 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and has worked in the field of education for over 42 years.
Aloha Kākou!
I am Kumu Hula Darcey Noelani Moniz of Hālau Hula ‘O Puka‘ikapuaokalani. Our hālau was established back in the late 60’s by Aunty Ellen Castillo – first in Waimanalo (my home town) then in Kailua, on the island of Oʻahu. My Aunty passed away in 2012 and I have continued the hālau since then.
