WATCH SUMMIT & WORKSHOP VIDEOS
Important Notes:
This information will be continually updated as more workshop practitioners are being confirmed.
Come by again in the near future to find out the latest happenings!
Bio: Elsie Kaleihulukea Ryder (Hula Choreography, Chant, Percussion and Hawaiian Culture Consultant) is a hula and chant practitioner, who studied the Hawaiian traditional art form of dance from her teacher the late John Kaʻimikaua for 30 years. Elsie, along with Mel Enos, continues to carry on the hula chant, dances, and stories that come from the island of Molokaʻi, dating as far back as the 9th century. Hālau Hula O Kukunaokalā, the Dance Academy of the Rays of the Sun, resides on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, where they continue to teach this unique dance form. The hālau's mission is to educate and enlighten all people to the stories, chant, and dance of ancient Hawaiʻi.
Elsie also serves her community, for the past 16 years, with ALU LIKE Inc., in the Hoʻala Hou, Youth at Risk program, as a program coordinator for Hānai a Ulu, Foster Grandparent program.
To learn more about our Summit Keynote Panel Discussion, click here.
Bio: Hōkūlani Holt has been the Kumu Hula for Pā'ū O Hi'iaka for over 45 years. She has devoted her professional and personal time to many aspects of Hawaiian culture throughout the islands. Hōkūlani was a founding member, a parent, and a Director of Pūnana Leo O Maui Hawaiian Language Preschool. She was the first Maui Site Coordinator for Nā Pua No'eau, The Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children; and she was the Culture and Education Manager for the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission. Hōkūlani currently works UH Maui College as the Director of Ka Hikina O Ka Lā scholarship program.
Hōkūlani's hula background comes from two places. Her early hula training comes from her family through her grandmother, Ida Pakulani Ka'aihue Kai'anui Long, as well as her aunt Kahili Long Cummings and her mother Leiana Long Woodside. While in Honolulu, Hōkūlani's kahiko (traditional hula) training came from Kumu Hula Hoakalei Kamau'u and it was through Hoakalei that she began to teach hula. She has also had the opportunity to study oli and cultural ceremony with Dr. Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele.
Hōkūlani Holt has participated in numerous Boards and public service organizations such as Kauahea Inc, Lālākea Foundation, KAEHU, Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana, Kamehameha Schools CEO Advisory Board, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Community Group, and Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commissioner.
In 2018 Hōkūlani received an Honorary Doctorate of Education (EdD) for Indigenous Knowledge and Development from the World Indigenous Nations University (WINU).
Hōkūlani continues to give tirelessly to her community and is tremendously proud to be from Maui and to be Hawaiian.
To learn more about our Summit Keynote Panel Discussion, click here.
Bio: Pōmaika'i is a Hawaiian Music Artist and Educator. She is a graduate of Punahou School (ʻ99) and went on to receive her Bachelorʻs Degree in Economics from Brigham Young University (ʻ03) in Provo, Utah. She is a mother of four children (ages 13 to 17), all of whom embrace their musical heritage in various ways. Pōmaika'i enjoys working with youth as a teacher, mentor, and administrator in church and in public & private educational institutions, which include many Hawaiian-focused charter and language immersion schools. She works closely with non-profit organizations, such as Mana Maoli, Mele Murals, and the Genoa Keawe Foundation, and continually seeks opportunities that allow her to serve and empower Native Hawaiian communities. As the descendant of a Hawaiian music legend, Pomaika'i continues to pave her own career path while perpetuating a legacy of music and aloha left by her grandmother, Genoa Keawe.
To learn more about our Summit Keynote Panel Discussion, click here.
Bio: Sean Chun is a resident of Kauaʻi and is a practitioner of various healing arts such as hoʻoponopono (conflict resolution), lāʻau lapaʻau (medicinal herbs), and lomilomi (massage/physical therapy). He is dedicated to perpetuating healthy lifestyle practices through teaching and sharing Traditional Hawaiian Healing Arts that are unique to the culture in order to build and establish a thriving, healthy community. In his talks, he honors and shares what he learned from his teachers, Kahu Ken Kamakea, Kumu Levon Ohai, and Papa Tom.
To learn more about our Summit Keynote Panel Discussion, click here.
Hui Aloha Serenaders
Featuring: Hauʻoli Akaka, Keʻala Kwan, Liz Apo & Paul Nahoa Lucas
Bio: Mele is LIFE. No Kona, Hawaiʻi, Pauoa me Waikīkī, Oʻahu koʻu mau kūpuna. My grandma danced at the Royal Hawaiian.
My parents both sang beautifully and played ‘ukulele together. Music always filled our home and my mom sang in the night clubs. The Hoʻopiʻi Brothers, Sonny Chillingworth, Myra English, Sam Aiko, and Sterling Mossman were some of my mākuahine’s playmates .
That welo has sustained me all my life as a radio personality, a puʻukani, kumu hula and now a makua. Today, ʻōlelo, mele and hula is still an integral part of our hana, ho’omana, home and ʻohana.
To learn more about our Mele With A Pinch of Mo'olelo presentation, click here.
Bio: Music is life, and a good life is blessed to have music in it 😊. Music has always been a part of ʻohana life for us growing up, whether singing hīmeni haipule (church hymns), nā mele Hawaiʻi or other mele o ke ao nei. So, Iʻve enjoyed making music, with others, practically my entire life. E hīmeni mau kākou!
To learn more about our Mele With A Pinch of Moʻolelo presentation, click here.
Bio: Music is life, and a good life is blessed to have music in it 😊. Music has always been a part of ʻohana life for us growing up, whether singing hīmeni haipule (church hymns), nā mele Hawaiʻi or other mele o ke ao nei. So, Iʻve enjoyed making music, with others, practically my entire life. E hīmeni mau kākou!
To learn more about our Mele With A Pinch of Moʻolelo presentation, click here.
Bio: Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaole is an educator who has trained in the tradition of Hula ʻAihaʻa and Hula Pele, chant and ritual for 39 years under Hālau O Kekuhi, named for her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole. She was ritually elevated to the status of Kumu Hula (hula master) of Hālau o Kekuhi by her mother, Kumu Hula Pualani Kanahele, and her aunt, Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaʻole.
Kekuhi has co-produced some of Hālau O Kekuhi’s most significant contributions to oral and ritual arts stage performances, namely, Holo Mai Pele, Kamehameha Paiʻea, Kilohi Nā Akua Wahine, Hānau Ka Moku, Wahinepōʻaimoku, Ka Hana Kapa, and CD resources Uwolani, Puka Kamaʻehu and Hiʻiakaikapoliopele.
One of Kekuhi's passion's is strengthening the relationship between Hawaiʻi ecological wisdom and scientific wisdom. Kekuhi served as the Senior Scholar at The Kohala Center for 20 years. She has the honor of working with some of Hawaiʻi's most passionate committed conservation and restoration organizations, individuals, and initiatives, one of them being Kā Mauli Hou - the statewide Hawaiʻi Conservation and Restoration Initiative. Kekuhi continues to facilitate ways of improving how Hawaiʻi consciousness and science & technology consciousness can work in harmony for the well-being of Hawaiʻi and the world. Kekuhiʻs most important message in this effort is: "I ola ʻoe, i ola mākou nei", my life is dependent on you and your life is dependent on me.
In an effort to broaden her service to people beyond the hālau, Kekuhi has developed Ulu Ka ʻŌhiʻa - Hula Consciousness Seminar and Hālau ʻŌhiʻa - Hawaiʻi Stewardship Training to teach basic Hawaiʻi practices that can connect anyone, anywhere, to their inner and outer landscapes. Kekuhi and her husband Tangaro also offer an annual Kū E Ke Olioli: Chanting for Wellbeing Series. Additionally, she has created an online chant program, Oli Honua, to support learners worldwide. Check out her website for more information at: www.kekuhi.com/
Practice: Lua (Hawaii Fighting Art)
Bio: Keani Kaleimamahu, was formally trained in lua by ʻŌlohe Lua Kukui Richard Kekumuikawaiokeola Paglinawan, ʻŌlohe Lua Moses Elwood Kalauokalani, and ʻŌlohe Haka Noelani Kanoho Mahoe. Founded in 2005, Kuʻialuaopuna was formed, developed and born from Pa Kuʻi-a-lua with the guidance, blessing and authority of his ʻŌlohe Lua to teach the Hawaiian fighting art of Lua on the island of Hawaiʻi.
Pa Kuʻi-a-lua, a lua school established in the early 1990's, graduated six ʻŌlohe Lua, both kāne and wahine, who attained the level of 'Ōlohe Lua. The extensive training required included the teachings, understanding of protocols and kapu specified by Native Hawaiian scholar ʻŌlohe Lua Charles Kenn, as well as Native Hawaiian genealogy, Hawaiian cultural studies and the historical genealogical lineage of Pa Kuʻi-a-lua.
Practice: Hana Noʻeau (Art)
Bio: Teacher-learner, lifelong advocate for all art forms — Meleanna knows the power of the visual arts to engage learning, inspire creative growth, and invite awe and wonder about our beloved honua (world). The rich ‘ike of Hawaiian culture that Meleanna incorporates into her life-work, as a filmmaker, painter, author and Tutu gives her opportunities to share this love!
Dr. Martina Leialoha Kamaka is a Native Hawaiian Family Physician and Associate Professor in the Department of Native Hawaiian Health at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine. She is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, the University of Notre Dame and the John A. Burns School of Medicine. She completed her family medicine residency in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her professional interests lie in the areas of cultural competency training as well as Native Hawaiian and indigenous health. She is currently a Vice Chair of NCAPIP (the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians) as well as a founder and board member of the ʻAhahui o nā Kauka (Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians) and the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress.
Practice: Mahi ʻai (Hawaiian Farming & Planting)
Bio: Kaʻiana Runnels is a mahiʻai from the mokupuni of Moku o Keawe, in the moku of Hilo, and the ahupuaʻa of Kīhālani. His passion is to collect, identify, document, cultivate, preserve, and spread the mea kanu of his kūpuna. His specific focus is on kalo, ʻawa, maiʻa, and kō. His ʻike stems from a variety of kūpuna and hoa. He first and foremost recognizes all those kūpuna, especially ʻAnakala Jerry Konanui, who gave freely of their time and priceless naʻauao. Along with his kuleana to these mea kanu Hawaiʻi, he works full time as the Mahiʻai Educational Specialist for The Kohala Center. He helps to educate ʻohana about food cultivation and the importance of Hāloa in our everyday lives.
Practice: Moʻolelo (Oral Traditions of Hawaiʻi)
Bio: Earl Kawaʻa is the son of kalo farmers from Hālawa Valley, Molokaʻi. In Hālawa, he was raised speaking ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and is considered one of a small group of individuals termed “mānaleo” (a native speaker of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi where ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi was the primary language spoken at home and inherited for all time past). Prior to the Hawaiian language revitalization push brought forth from the ʻAha Pūnana Leo movement, Kawaʻa was considered 1 of 28 living mānaleo. His upbringing in the remote Hawaiian community of Hālawa gave Kawaʻa his deep understanding of many of the Hawaiian cultural practices he shares.
Kumu Kawaʻa holds a master’s degree in Social Work and has worked in many communities throughout Hawaiʻi as well as served as a VISTA volunteer serving on the Acoma Indian Reservation. He is highly skilled in both Western and Hawaiian Therapeutic Methodologies. Using his deep knowledge and skill of Hawaiian language and practices, such as Hoʻoponopono and Hawaiian Oration, Kawaʻa has worked to heal generational trauma in countless Hawaiian households through his vast body of community work.
Highly sought after and highlighted in newspapers, magazines, and even Ted-X videos, Kawaʻa has a following and body of work that is truly remarkable. He has recently been honored with multiple distinguished awards for his countless years of servant leadership. Including the following: “2016 - I Ulu I Ke Kumu Award – University of Hawaiʻi Foundation”, “2018 Kalani Aliʻi Award– ʻAha Hīpuʻu”, “2019 Ulu Hana: Pewa Award – Partners in Development, and the “2019 Living Treasure of Hawaiʻi – Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi”.
His ceaseless passion to serve and share as well as his wealth of Hawaiian cultural knowledge has made Kawaʻa a true “Living Treasure”.
Whether he is working for Kamehameha Schools as a Hawaiian Cultural Specialist or leading cultural workshops with Hawaiian families through his “Board and Stone in Every Home” collaboration with Keiki o Ka ʻĀina, Kumu Kawaʻa is always busy and fueled by passion to create positive change. To put it simply… “Earl Kawaʻa is Kawaʻa.”
Practice: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language)
Bio: Born and raised on Oʻahu in the Hawaiian islands, Kamaka was brought up in a multi-cultural environment, however, it is Native Hawaiian culture and values that pulled on his spirit the strongest. Being of Native Hawaiian and of other Polynesian descent, Kamaka believes it is his kuleana (responsibility; privilege) to perpetuate his cultural traditions in this modern, fast-paced world of business, politics, and development. Here in Hawai'i, the world recognizes the beauty of our islands, however, the lack of awareness, recognition, and respect towards the history, culture, and traditions of the Hawaiian people are also recognized. Currently, Kamaka is a weatherman and reporter for KHON2 News and host for the local program "Aloha Authentic" where he tried to integrate Hawaiian knowledge and conversations into Hawaiʻi television.
Bio: Russell Ili is a learner, educator, and perpetuator of Hawaiian Culture. Russell has had the opportunity to learn, study, and practice Lāʻau Lapaʻau (Hawaiian Herbal Healing) from Kupuna The teachings that he has learned include educating, practicing, and perpetuating Laau Lapaau for the past, present, and future generations of Hawaii and around the world.
Practice: Lomilomi (Hawaiian Massage)
Bio: PuaOEleili began studying Lomilomi 1:1 with her kumu Kamaile Puaoi. Kamaile’s kumu is Makaʻala Yates, who learned from the renowned kahuna Lomilomi Margaret Machado of the Big Island. Pua became her Kumu’s kakoʻo helping her teach lomi 101 again and again and also volunteer at community events in a Lomilomi tent with numerous other Lomilomi practitioners, all from different kumu. Kamaile encouraged Pua to become a licensed massage therapist and sent her to learn from Kapono Aluli Souza. Kamaile then brought Pua to an ʻōwiwi birthing hui, Ka Lahui o ka Pō, Birthing a Nation where Pua began teaching lomi for ʻohana and specializes in lomi during pregnancy and post partum. Pua has her own practice under the name Ēwe ʻOiaʻio.
Practice: ʻAi Pono (Foods and Cooking for Health & Well-Being)
Bio: Tammy is the second-generation owner of Hale Kealoha - ʻAi Pono. She is the daughter of Herbert Kealoha Hoe, founder of ʻAi Pono, which has been servicing our Lāhui ʻāina momona for the last 37 years. Tammy is currently employed at Lunalilo Home as Dietary Manager, servicing Kupuna residents, Day Care and Community.
Practice: Ulana ʻIeʻie (Weaving with Freycinetia arborea)
Bio: Lloyd Harold Kumulāaʻu Sing Jr., and May Haunani Balino-Sing are cultural practitioners of ulana ʻie: Hawaiian basketry. Together they work as Ke Kumu Hawaiʻi, a Hawaiian culture-based education business, established in 2016, to provide a variety of resources from cultural consulting, lectures and presentations on different aspects of Hawaiian culture and workshops.
Practice: Hoʻoponopono (Hawaiian Social Conflict Healing)
Bio: "Lahela" Kruse, MSW, CSAC, is a Cultural Practitioner, currently residing on Hawai'i Island who works closely with those dealing with substance abuse and addiction using traditional healing methods of Ho'oku'u'ka hewa for the individual then implementing Ho'oponopono for the family. Lahela is immersed in a cultural-based approach in working with haumana (students/clients) to get to the core of the individual's trauma by looking at their past so they can face their present and move forward to a healthy and thriving future. She recieved her cultural immersion training from 2 prominent Kupuna (elders) Aunty Pearl Ulunuiokamamalu Kanaka'ole Garmon and Aunty Lynette Kahekili Kahopuiki Paglinawan. Lahela recieved her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Hawai'i, Hilo then obtaining her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Lahela has been working for 20+ years with youth, adults, and comunity dealing with the struggles of substance abuse.
Practice: Lawena (Hawaiian Behavior & Ways of Being)
Bio: Ana Kapukini Kon is the creator of Hawaiian Education Curricula and Co-Director of Kukulu Kumuhana O Puna, a Hawaiian practitioners program for youth. She is also the President of Na Maka Haloa O Waipio, a non- profit focusing on Hawaiian Cultural Education and Stewardship. In addition, Ana serves as Instructor at Kaho’iwai, an accredited teacher certification program.
Practice: Pili ʻUhane (Spiritual Connection)
Bio: J. Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier is the Hawaiian Culture Based Education Coordinator for Hālau ʻo Kapikohānaiāmālama at Kamehameha Schools Maui. She is also the Hope Kahu of Ekalesia o Kupaianaha in Wailuku and presently resides in Waiehu, Maui. Born in Honolulu and raised in Hālawa Uka, Oʻahu, she graduated from Aiea High School during the Hawaiian Renaissance. She was blessed to have been raised in a home and a church where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi was still spoken by kūpuna and traditional ways of knowing were still practiced. Ekelaʻs maternal grandmother, Rev. Ethel Kauhi Keaunui Crawford, spoke to her in her mother tongue from birth, believing that one day, Ekela would ʻauamo the kuleana of perpetuating ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi for future generations. Ekela has been sharing this gift since 1978 with thousands of haumāna through Kulāiwi, a distance learning Hawaiian language program, the Duolingo language app as well as teaching in many spaces; from pre-K - 12 and in the University of Hawaiʻi system. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi deepened and broadened Ekelaʻs insight and understanding of moʻomeheu and nohona Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian culture & lifestyle) and therefore she finds it a blessing to be able to share this ʻike (knowledge).
Practice: Pili ʻUhane (Spiritual Connection)
Bio: Jonah Hauʻoli Akaka, no Waipahū, ʻEwa, Oʻahu mai au, kahi hanohano i nā awa lau o Puʻuloa. Ke noho nei au ma Kāneʻohe, Koʻolau Poko, Oʻahu, ka ʻāina momona i kaulana i ka Ua ʻĀpuakea a me ka wai kamahaʻo ʻo Hiʻilaniwai. He laekahi moʻomeheu a he kumu nō hoʻi au ma Hoʻokahua. Kumu Hau'oli began studying ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and hula about forty years ago as a student at Waipahū High School. Hawaiian language was not spoken in his home and ʻohana, but Hawaiian music was an integral part of family. Those experiences sparked a deep desire to further study with an aspiration to become an educator. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education-Hawaiian language and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Kumu Hau'oli spent most of his teaching career as a classroom kumu of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, mele and hula at Kailua High School for twenty years. For fourteen years collectively, he was once a kumu and program manager in the Kamehameha Schools’ Hoʻomākaʻikaʻi-Explorations HCBE summer program. Prior to current employment at Kamehameha Schools, Kumu Akaka worked for four years as the Director of Education and the Chief Knowledge Officer at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. He and wife Kuʻulei raised ʻehā mau keiki. Their four children have been educated in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs at Waiau Elementary and Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Ānuenue, where his wife also taught as a kumu. All keiki have been beneficiaries, blessed also as haumāna and alumni of the Kamehameha Schools at Kapālama. Today, they have two moʻopuna who are now haumāna at Kawaiahaʻo and Kamakau Schools. So many blessings have lead Hauʻoli to serve as deacon at Kaumakapili Church in Honolulu as well as supporting kahu for many years. Anyone who meets him knows that he is filled with the loving "aloha spirit" of Ke Akua!
Ola ka hā loa. Ola nā iwi. Ua ola ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi!
Practice: Pili ʻUhane (Spiritual Connection)
Bio: Kahu Kalani has been the chaplain of Kamehameha Schools Maui since 2002. An alum (c/o ’74), Kahu Kalani strives to ground the haumana in their Christian faith and instill within them a sense of pride in who they are as nā pua o Pauahi. He is an ordained minister, in good standing with the ‘Aha O Nā Mokupuni o Maui, Moloka’i a me Lāna’i (Hawai’i Conference, United Church of Christ).
Practice: Pili ʻUhane (Spiritual Connection)
Bio: Kahu Brian “Kaunaloa” Boshard KSK ʻ77 is the son of Kahu Henry Kanoelani (Akiu) Boshard KSKʻ47 and Māmā Kahu Iris Uliʻi (Kanakaʻole) Boshard. He is married to Kumu Hālani (Berard) and they are the mākua of four keiki and tūtū of two moʻopuna. Born in Honolulu and raised in Kailua Kona, Kahu is an avid water enthusiast who loves to share those special recreational moments with his ʻohana. Growing up at Mokuaikaua Congregational Church located right across from Huliheʻe Palace afforded him a rich experience in a Hawaiian Church where most members were brilliant and hardworking ʻōiwi leaders in the community. Learning to sing hīmeni, recite paukū, pule and participating in Hōʻike were significant practices of Ekalesia culture that he fondly remembers. Kahu Kaunaloa began his educational career as a Certified Teacher with the DOE in 1994, became an ordained minister with the UCC in 1998, and joined Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi as their Chaplain in July of 2015. “I am so blessed to be part of a wonderful team here at Kamehameha; together we are expanding the legacy of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi. We witness our Princess’s generosity and faith in the eyes of our blessed haumāna who we serve. Even in the most challenging times, Ke Akua Mana Loa remains the same loving God of E Ola,” says Kahu.
Practice: Pili ʻUhane (Spiritual Connection)
Bio: Aloha mai kākou, ʻO wau ʻo Manu Naeʻole. No Waiʻanae mai au. He kahu au ma ke kula ʻo Kamehameha ma Kapālama. Mahalo for joining us for this year’s summit. My professional life has been comprised of teaching math at Kapolei and Nānākuli High, and serving in ministry at Kalihi and Moanalua Church, Kaumakapili Church and Community Church of Honolulu. My personal life has been spent living in and around Hawaiian Homestead communities in Waiʻanae and Kapolei. Serving Jesus in an authentically Christian, and authentically Hawaiian way has always been a desired way of life for me. I don’t get everything right. I don’t know all the answers. Along the way I hope to help others who are attempting the same journey with Jesus. Iesū Pū, Kahu Manu Naeʻole.
Some of the practitioners from Summit Day 3/4/22 are sharing more with us on Sat 3/5/22. Their bios will not be duplicated below
For a complete list of Workshops see our "Workshops Sat. March 5th" webpage here.
Practice: Poʻohala (Hawaiian Knowledge, Values & Behavior Passed Through Family)
Bio: Kinohi Gomes (NPN UHM Director) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for over 25 years and is passionate and committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian ʻohana and keiki of all ages.
Lisa Letoto-Ohata (NPN UHM Program Assistant) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for nearly 15 years and is passionate about working with our Native Hawaiian keiki and wants to see them succeed
Nā Pua Noʻeau (NPN) is a University of Hawaiʻi program since 1989, and was founded by Dr. David Kekaulike Sing out of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Each of Nā Pua Noʻeau’s centers throughout UH’s campuses carry forth the firm belief that all Native Hawaiian children have inherited gifts to reach their potential.
***Participants will be mailed in advance a workshop kit as part of the Nā Pua Noʻeau experience, so be sure to sign-up in advance!
Sign up here before Feb. 21 to receive a kit. Materials will be limited to the first 50 respondents. You must also be registered for the Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Summit & Workshops to sign up.
Some of the practitioners from Summit Day 3/4/22 & Sat 3/5/22 are sharing more with us. Their bios will not be duplicated below.
For a complete list of April Workshops which will be offered, see our "April Follow Up Workshops" webpage here.
Practice: Holomoana (Ocean Voyaging)
Bio: Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy (KVA) is a nonprofit, Hawaii based, 501(c)3 organization. KVA’s mission and purpose is to perpetuate the knowledge of traditional Hawaiian navigation and to provide opportunities to Native Hawaiian students to advance in contemporary ocean based careers through academic, college, and career support.
Bonnie Kahapeʻa-Tanner was born and raised in Kaneohe where her love for the ocean began. She got involved with the voyaging canoe Makalii in 1995 and has been sailing ever since. In 1999, she was a watch captain on Makali’i’s historic voyage, E Mau: Sailing the master Home, which took Grand Master Navigator, Pius Mau Piailug home to his community in Micronesia. Following this life-changing experience, she helped to open Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School and launched the waa Kanehunamoku, a 29 ft. coastal sailing canoe, to share and teach voyaging culture and practice in 2002. Today the non-profit Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy teaches learners of all ages about the waa and connects that to college and career opportunities in ocean-based industries. She holds a BA in Hawaiian Studies, a MS in Counseling Psychology, and an MA in Transformative Learning and Change. Bonnie lives in Heeia Oahu with her husband Halona Tanner, and daughters, Kaialea (15) and Lehia (13).
Mieko Mahealani Treaster lives in Kaneohe and is the Program Coordinator for our Papahana Hoʻolauna program, which works with schools PK-12. I first met Kānehūnāmoku in 2008 as a kumu at Hālau Kū Māna Charter School and always appreciated the power of the waʻa as an outdoor classroom to make learning relevant and meaningful for the students. In 2015, I joined the crew at KVA to help further this mission and over the years have watched this vessel transform many lives, including my own. I love the ʻohana and community that the waʻa helps to build and am so grateful to be here on this journey.
*Visit Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy at their website: www.kanehunamoku.org
Click here to see the cultural workshop presentation summary.
Summit Guiding Question
Our summit intends to address the following question:
"Amidst the uncertainty and dynamic challenges of today’s modern world, how might one engage in Hawaiian Culture-Based Practices to build connections with others, improve total well-being and perpetuate Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations?"
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