KUMU BIOS

Edible Tales: Hoʻokupu movemeant sessions

AULIʻI AWEAU

`Auli`i Aweau is of native Hawaiian ancestry, born and raised in the ahupua`a of Kailua on the island of O`ahu in Hawai`i. She is most proud of raising her four beautiful children, immersed in the Hawaiian culture and indigenous values of her ancestors. She is most excited to pass on these tradition and teach her grandchildren the values of family, gratitude and service. 

`Auli`i has worked in the addiction, social work and Hawaiian studies fields for over 20 years. She is blessed to have worked with individuals, their families, their communities and various organizations over the past two decades. She is currently a consultant, counselor, educator, motivational speaker, cultural practitioner and healer. `Auli`i is passionate about the recovery and healing process and continues to weave ancient cultural traditions in the present for the betterment of future generations. 

She became an internationally and state certified substance abuse counselor, as well as obtaining her psychology degree at Chaminade University in Honolulu. She is a third degree Reiki Master, Fourth degree Dar’Shem Master, ordained minister, avid hula dancer and instructor. ʻAuliʻi is the founder and director of Laʻakea Healing Services, a grass roots organization that offers an array of educational and therapeutic services. She is excited to share her love of hope, healing and recovery with the world.

‘Auli’i has been a cultural advisor for Dancers Unlimited since 2010. Her work with the company includes guiding the artistic development based on indigenous Hawaiian values, as well as engaging with the community as panelists and Hula teacher. 

Nāmomi McCorriston

Namomiokalani Kaʻiminaʻauao McCorriston or “Momi” for short, was born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi. She is currently the Academic Director of Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School. She's blessed to be the mother of four children and the grandmother of two boys. She has a BA in Hawaiian Studies/ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Licensed Elementary Teacher, and a MA in Educational Leadership in Administration. She believes in the importance and value to mālama our overall health. E olapono kākou!

A 6th generation lauhala (pandanus) weaver and educator who uses generational customary methods to weave traditional techniques and bridge them with contemporary styles and forms. Creates a safe space where 21st learners are able to connect to an ancestral art form and cultural practices. Throughout my career I have demonstrated the ability to successfully manage projects, set objectives, develop and maintain budgets, meet deadlines, produce quality work and build trusted relationships.

In my hands...I see my grandmother’s hands. In my hands I see my past – my grandmother, her sisters, her mother, her mother’s mother and so on – my ancestors; It is they who inspire me and fuel my creativity. I create contemporary and functional woven pieces of the hala leaf from the pūhala (screwpine pandanus tree) that have since died. I incorporate styles that are timeless yet push the boundaries of the customary while continuing to perpetuate traditional practices of weaving items such as purses, mats, and hats – not being limited to what once was where styling is concerned. I believe that our kūpuna were visionary when using resources available for the preparation of materials, as well as looking at contemporary and popular styling of the time. While important to be rooted in tradition, I also feel that the practices have become complacent for the sake of maintaining traditions. To draw a greater interest in the young, the practice must evolve in order for the craft to survive. Currently I experiment with styling of the hats – reviving styles of yesteryear with a modern flair. I incorporate weaving techniques, both traditional and those learned from our Maori cousins, and creative styling to bring to life appropriate yet timeless functional pieces of wearable art. I bridge the gap between customary and traditional practices of my kūpuna to modern contemporary times. In my hands I know my past, my history, my genealogy! I am #ALegacyWeaver

MARY KAHEALANI KUPAU-MIKAELE

Kumu Mary Kahealani Kupau-Mikaele the busy, dedicated, single mother of 3 children (2 boys & 1 girl) is a born and raised Wai`ahole native, on the island of O’ahu, to Oliver Kupau Jr. and Janet Kupau. She is the youngest of 8 children. Living in the windward district of O`ahu, Kumu Mary received her grade school education from Wai`ahole Elementary School, S.W. King Intermediate School, and is a proud graduate of James B. Castle High School. After her completing her grade school education, Kumu Mary continued her education at Windward Community College.  

Mary always had a passion for the art of hula and the determination to perpetuate her Hawaiian culture.  In 1979, at the age of 12 she started dancing hula with Kuhai Halau ‘o Kawaikapuokalani pa ‘olapa kahiko, under the direction of Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Mary is remembered by many as one of four original hula dancers that performed Kawaikapuokalani’s famous song, “Aerobasize”, her biggest fan--- her Dad, who supported her every move in hula and love to watch Mary light up with joy, happiness and pride while she danced.

O Rosalyn Concepcion ko`u inoa. E noho mai au ma Kaneohe. Aloha I’m Rosalyn Concepcion fishpond Manager and Kia`I Loko I`a at Waikalua Loko I`a. I’ve been at Waikalua since 2011 and my primary kuleana is in cultural restoration and preservation, facilitiating Lā Ohana (community workdays), and focusing on Restorative Aquaculture. I recieved my degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Chaminade University. My passion is being in the kai surfing, paddling, or being with my Ohana. I love animals and have 5 dogs of my own. I believe in the importance of service above self, giving back to my Lāhui and the need for pa`a family values. I love working outdoors with my hands and sharing hawaiian values to our keiki.

Born and raised in Kailua, Keahi was first introduced to the fishpond in 2011 with UH-Manoa’s Malama Loko I’a class.  He was an intern from January to May 2012 and then joined the Kū Hou Kuapā in June 2012.  Keahi graduated from  Kamehameha-Kapalama in 2006 and attended Santa Barbara City College before transferring to UH-Manoā. Keahi enjoys playing music and gigs throughout the state with The Vitals. Keahi started working at Paepae O Heeia is 2012 and over the last 5 years over seen the restoration at Heeia Fishpond. In 2017 started farming Kalo in Luluku which he still cares for with his Ohana. 

KINOHI FUKUMITSU

Kinohi Fukumitsu is a mother of five children, a dry-stack stone wall mason, a writer, a weaver of sorts and has an obsession with all things ʻāina (land), connected to her home. She is very sensitive to energy amongst people and energy that is exchanged between people and ‘āina. She believes that this energy exchange will heal the world as well as nourish our minds, bodies and spirits. She has a BA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has spent more than a decade learning from He’eia Fishpond and has made the move to bring the skills and knowledge to her community in her hometown of Waimānalo. As a cultural practitioner she has picked up many valuable skill sets including making rope. Being a huge fan of making use of our natural resources she uses natural fibers to create lengths of rope to use for both traditional uses such as lashing and for modern things like keeping cords around the house neat. Kinohi considers herself as a lifelong learner who has a desire to share what she has been blessed enough to learn.