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How We Started
How We Started
Kula Manu was founded with the support of Hawaiian History Kumu Steven Cup Choy in the Spring of 2023. A group of students by the names of Sahana Ahmed, Kamalei Dwight, and Kircha “Panaʻewa” Cayetano established this club to ensure that their Hawaiian heritage is being properly preserved through the art of featherwork and the maintenance of Hawaiian Capes and artifacts. With large aspirations, this group began establishing a foundation of like-minded individuals and is proud to boast a talented and passionate club body.
Meet The Board
Meet The Board
Sahana Ahmed
Sahana Ahmed
Poʻo Hana Kaiāulu
(Head of Community Engagement)
Sahana is a member of the class of 2026 at Kamehameha Schools. She is actively involved in the school's math and golf teams, and she also performs as a hula dancer at Halau ʻo Nāpualaʻikauikaiu. In addition, Sahana is a member of the National Honor Society and expressed a strong desire to pursue a career in the healthcare field following her high school graduation.
Why Kula Manu?
"I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to establish and help grow Kula Manu at Kamehameha Schools. This club is rooted in perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through various cultural artifacts, with our current focus being on Hawaiian featherwork. Through Kula Manu, I have been able to celebrate and share my Hawaiian heritage within our school community, while also extending our cultural outreach internationally through workshops in diverse locations around the world. I am beyond appreciative of our club and board members, whose dedication has turned the vision we had as freshmen into a reality. Together, we have made a meaningful impact on the global perpetuation of Hawaiian culture."
Kamalei Dwight
Kamalei Dwight
Poʻo Hana Kūloko
(Head of Internal Affairs)
As part of the class of 2026, Kamalei is heavily involved in paddling for Kamehameha Schools and Kailua Canoe Club. She enjoys volunteering at Makai Pet Hospital and hopes to become a veterinarian in the future.
Why Kula Manu?
"Creating Kula Manu was an intimidating task, to say the very least. However, the thought that I could leave a lasting impact not only on my high school community but also on a global scale is what made me want to pursue making Kula Manu a reality. So, with our sights set high, Kula Manu was established and, ever since, has morphed into so much more for me. It has given me so many of the people I am blessed to call my friends. Kula Manu has also allowed me to get involved with my community and others I otherwise wouldn't have."
Kuʻulei Keliʻikipi
Kuʻulei Keliʻikipi
Poʻo Kaʻaʻike
(Head of Communications)
Kuʻulei is a part of the class of 2026. She was a member of the Kamehameha Volleyball team, and has been involved in club Volleyball for numerous years. She is also a member of the Poʻokula Ambassadors program here at Kamehameha.
Why Kula Manu?
"Kula manu was an amazing opportunity for me as a high school student to develop leadership skills. I knew if I committed to this club I would gain many skills that would help me later in life. I also knew that featherwork was a very obscure way to connect with my culture, and as a Hawaiian I wanted to learn more, and appreciate the very sacred and intricate task. Kula Manu has also given me the opportunity to develop relationships with like-minded peers, who I am very grateful to have connected with. Overall, Kula Manu was a vessel of opportunities for myself as a student, Hawaiian, and teenager."
Brennan Agcaoili
Brennan Agcaoili
Puʻukū
(Treasurer)
Brennan is a part of the class of 2026. He is the class of 2026 coed director and won the outstanding student directorship award in 2023. He is also an avid soccer player.
Why Kula Manu?
"I wanted to join Kula Manu for their mission and goal. After going through my Hawaiian History class, I wanted to be more connected to my Hawaiian culture and the many artifacts that hold so much mana and history. This club provided a creative outlet where I can learn and be a part of this great adventure."
Kalamakū Crabbe
Kalamakū Crabbe
Hoʻopaʻa Moʻolelo
(Historian)
Kalamakū is a part of the class of 2026. She is a two time state champion with the Kamehameha Girls Varisty Volleyball team. She has a passion for nā mea Hawaiʻi and hopes to continue that path after high school.
Why Kula Manu?
"As a native Hawaiian, being connected to my culture was a priority for me to have in high school. I lacked exposure to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as a child, so I demanded myself to strive for ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Makahiki ʻElima for my senior year. Yet, I felt the yearn to root myself deeper into my Hawaiian identity, beyond the language. Kula Manu provided me the opportunity to learn about Hawaiian culture through the art of featherwork, native manu, and history of our aliʻi. Without Kula Manu I would not have been able to make relationships with peers, that are also passionate about their Hawaiian identity. "
Panaʻewa Cayetano
Panaʻewa Cayetano
Kākau ʻŌlelo
(Secretary)
Panaʻewa is a part of the class of 2026. She is a varsity soccer player for Kamehameha.
Why Kula Manu?
"Growing up I had a very limited connection to Hawaiian Culture. Despite my active participation in Hula, I found that I danced without an understanding of who or what I was dancing for. Being a part of Kula Manu has helped me to establish a connection with my Hawaiian culture through different cultural practices. Featherwork, oli, mele, hula, and etc. have been essential in creating a platform for me to grow my understanding of Hawaiian culture. These activities have changed the way I view and practice my culture."
Bella Amey
Bella Amey
Poʻo Hana Noʻeau
(Artist)
Bella is a part of the class of 2026. She is a two time state champion with the Kamehameha Girls Varisty Volleyball team. She has been an artist ever since she was young. She leads creative
Why Kula Manu?
Meet The Understudies
Meet The Understudies
Ryder Eckart
Hope Poʻo Hana Kūloko
Ryder is in the class of 2028. He has been at Kamehameha Schools since kindergarten. He partakes in paddling at Kamehameha Schools, as well as Kailua Canoe Club. He spends his weekends at church and with family. Additionally, he is involved with the Ambassadors of Aloha ʻĀina. In the future, Ryder hopes to become a veterinarian.
Why Kula Manu?
I joined Kula Manu because I was looking for a club that was rooted in the Hawaiian culture. I had learned about my culture from a young age, but my classes never went into much depth about the practices of my kūpuna. My eyes were opened to Kula Manu through my Hawaiian History class, the kumu talked about this club, and it sparked my interest. After joining, I have had so many opportunities presented to me, and I never knew how much this club would change my life. Kula Manu has not only been a chance for me to connect with my culture, but to connect with my peers. It has been such a blessing to meet new people through this club and make friendships that will last me a lifetime.
James Park
Hope Kākau ʻŌlelo
James is a member of the class of 2026 and lifer here at Kamehameha Schools. He currently serves as the team captain of the Varsity Bowling Team and recently competed in Junior Bowling's largest national tournament. In addition to his hopes of competing at the collegiate and professional level, James plans to continue his pursuit of absolute fluency in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi far beyond his time at Kamehameha Schools.
Why Kula Manu?
As a lifer here at Kamehameha Schools, I was always told of the importance of learning as much as we could about our Hawaiian culture. With that said, after first learning of Kula Manuʻs mission to revive the stunning practice of Hawaiian Featherwork, I knew that I wanted to help this club achieve everything that it strives for. Additionally, I believe that this club perfectly embodies the vision our founder, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, held for this school, showcasing how the students of Kamehameha Schools are working vigorously to preserve and carry forward the Hawaiian culture for future generations.
Rylynn Silva
Hope Kākau ʻŌlelo
Rylynn is a part of the class of 2028. She is a member of Kamehameha Girls Track and Field and an athlete of Koa Track Club. She has a strong love for the Lord and strives to live each day with faith, love, and grace!
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Why Kula Manu?
Kula Manu gives me a meaningful way to connect with Hawaiian culture and heritage, but more than that, it teaches me leadership skills found no where else. Being involved makes me feel proud to honor my ancestors and to play a part in preserving and sharing our rich culture with future generations. It’s inspiring to be in an environment that cares so deeply for the native practices and its people. Through Kula Manu, I’ve learned the importance of kuleana and that has motivated me to grow not only as a student, but how I carry myself as a person. This club has shaped virtues of my life with purpose, aloha, and leadership.
Callie Onishi
Hope Hoʻopaʻa Moʻolelo
Callie is a member of the class of 2028 and she is the coed Song Contest director for her class. She sings in the Kamehameha School's Concert Glee Club and is involved with various clubs around school that focus on aloha ʻāina and Hawaiian culture. She is also a competitive dancer for 24/7 DanceForce.
Why Kula Manu?
When I first heard about Kula Manu, I really appreciated the work they were doing to perpetuate ʻike kūpuna and ʻike Hawaiʻi. I joined so that I could continue to practice my Hawaiian culture through featherwork, which was something new to me.
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