Auntie Kealoha Kalama is well known as an entertainer, recording artist, producer and kumu hula for over 40 years. She is the kumu hula for Hula Halau O Pohai Kealoha since 1971, at the Bishop Museum where she also has been performing a hula show over 25 years before retiring. For many years she produced her own Polynesian review for many main show rooms in the Waikiki hotels. She also worked as a ground hostess for Aloha Airlines and as a sales representative promotional entertainer. She has traveled extensively throughout the world, and the US. Kumu Kealoha is also a Hawaiian Studies teacher for the Department of Education at Admiral Nimitz Elementary for over 10 years.
Her mentors in hula were John Pi'ilani Watkins, Uncle Joseph Kehaulelio, Auntie Vickie I'I Rodrigues, Uncle Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln, the Alama sisters and her mother, Mrs. Virginia Kalama
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Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett is the kumu hula of Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani 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 had since been recognized as her protege. His work in the field of Hawaiian culture takes him off island and abroad on a regular basis. His halau now includes students from Kaua'i, 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.
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Kumu Sonny Ching began his teachings with his grandmother Pua'ainahau Eleakala Nahulu Guerrero at the age of 4. It was preordained that Sonny would be the one to continue hula in his family. In 1984, he had an ‘ãniki with his grandmother and at the age of 15, Sonny was given permission to experience being in a halau. That was his beginning with Kumu Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. He danced with Frank for 3 years and it was he who gave Sonny the name he uses today “Kahakuleilehua”. He later studied with Lahela Ka'aihue who is very influential to his men’s hula ‘auana. In 1986, Sonny was asked by Kumu Moses Crabbe to takeover his class at Paki Park and established Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu which is currently located in the Kapahulu and Kapalama areas of Honolulu. Sonny feels hula is getting back to traditions. “I think hula has turned around due to the revival of other aspects of our culture like the ‘olelo, oli, planting, la’au lapa’au, navigation, pãna, lua and weaving. I hope that people like myself and my fellow kumu hula are looking to keep things traditional yet conducive to our times.”
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Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe (Peck) Kekuewa, or Aunty Mary Lou, as she is affectionately called, is one of the foremost Masters of the Art of Featherwork with more than 30 years of experience. She has shared her talent and knowledge by teaching featherwork in schools, colleges, and civic and senior citizen clubs throughout the Hawaiian Islands . In addition, she has held weekly classes at the famed Bishop Museum since 1972 and has traveled to the continental U.S., New Zealand, Tahiti, and Japan to demonstrate her art. Aunty Mary Lou is a lifetime member of the National Society of Arts and Letters and 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, a charter member of the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club, and a member of Na Hulu Nani Pilialoha Society (featherwork). Other honors include receiving recognition from the Honolulu Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters and the title of "The Feather Lady" by proclamation from the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.
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Like her Mother, Paulette Nohealani (Kekuewa) Kahalepuna has many years of experience creating fine Hawaiian featherwork. Inspired by her Mother's dedication to featherwork, Paulette has advanced her skills to the point that she teaches throughout the Hawaiian Islands and is a Master of the Art in her own right. She has also traveled to the continental U.S., Austria, and New Zealand to demonstrate featherwork. Paulette is a member of the University of Hawaii speaker program, Lama Ku, on Hawaiian arts and crafts and has been a featured speaker at both the Windward and Leeward Community Colleges on O'ahu. She has also served as a judge in fresh flower lei making contests at schools, fairs, and community centers around the state.
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Mike and Sylvia Kopp's family business The Hula Supply Center has been serving island families since 1946. They live to support the dance that is Hawai`i, through their knowledge of implements, musical instruments and clothing. They are committed to providing the best that can be made for Kumu Hula, the dancers and the organizations that perpetuate the dance. Mike and Sylvia are not just a business, but `ohana to the halau circle.
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