The mission of the Mālie Foundation is to provide events that educate, promote, preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through its varied activities for all people.
Kumu Hula representing the Mālie Foundation include:
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.
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.
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.
Former Miss Aloha Hula, Maelia Loebenstein Carter has hula roots that began with her family. Her first kumu hula was her maternal grandmother, Mae Ulalia Long Loebenstein, a respected kumu hula who had learned from her mother, Ida Pakulani Ka'aihue Kai'anui Long -- who learned from her granduncle, the hula master Kamawae of Maui. Attending the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Maelia also studied hula with Ed Kalahiki, from whom she gained a better knowledge and confidence in chanting.
Miss Aloha Hula 1984, and the daughter of the late Auntie Leilani Sharp Mendez of HAUOLI HULA STUDIO!
Kumu Leialoha Amina was introduced to hula by her mother Mary Ann Nuela Lim. Soon after, her father sent her and her sister , Nani to his cousin Kumu Hula Auntie Margaret Kaleolani Moku of Niuli I Kohala, Hawaii. She was encouraged by Auntie Margaret to study with other Kumu Hula while under her tutelage as well as after Auntie passed on.
