PRESENTER BIOS

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Dr. Kū Kahakalau is an award-winning Native Hawaiian educator, researcher, cultural practitioner and expert in Hawaiian language and culture residing in Kukuihaele on Hawaiʻi Island. The first person in the world with a Ph.D. in Indigenous Education, Dr. Kahakalau has created multiple successful culture-based educational programs, including Hawaiʻiʻs first Hawaiian-focused PK-12 charter school, a culture-based teacher licensing program, a native Hawaiian social enterprise and EA Ecoversity, a culture-based higher education and career training program for young Hawaiians. EA stands for Education with Aloha, since Dr. Kahakalauʻs research confirms that love, compassion, respect and kindness, known as aloha in Hawaiian, are the most important ingredients in 21st century education, just like they were in ancient times.

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Tatiana Tseu Fox's upbringing in a hula family perfectly exemplifies the Hawaiian proverb, "Ka ʻike a ka makua, he hei na ke keiki" (The knowledge of the parent is absorbed by the child). Her mother, Kumu Hula ʻIwalani Tseu, was her first and primary teacher, and the many cultural principles associated with hula were ingrained in their daily family life. Tatiana feels fortunate to have grown up with many cultural icons frequenting their home, sharing their stories and knowledge, and treating her and her sisters as part of their own family. In 2013, her mother entrusted her with the responsibility of continuing their family legacy as hula practitioners and bestowed upon her the title of Kumu Hula. In 2015, Tatiana opened Nā Lei O Ka ʻIwa Haʻa I Ka Lani on their family compound in Honouliuli, ʻEwa, Oʻahu. Affectionately called Kumu Tati, she is grateful for the teachings of those who have openly shared themselves with her and her family. Kumu Tati has been an educator, administrator, and leader at Kamehameha Schools for over 20 years and is currently the Director and Manager of Kamehameha Schools' ʻŌiwi Leadership Institute. As a Kumu Hula and educator, she aims to perpetuate and build upon the teachings of all those she has learned from, ensuring that their legacy lives on for many generations to come.

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Dr. Kalei Nuʻuhiwa was born and raised on the island of Maui. Kalei is an academic, practitioner, photographer, composer, and mixed media artist. She has been active in the Hawaiian language movement, revitalization of the island of Kahoʻolawe, wayfinding practices on the Moʻolele, reinstatement of the Kaulana Mahina (lunar calendar), celestial alignment rituals, and extensive study of sites on Mokumanamana, Maunakea, and Maunaloa.

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Kekai Robinson is a Maui-born native of Nā Wai ʻEhā from Wailuku. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, she earned an Interdisciplinary AA and BA from the University of Hawaiʻi. She has been active in the Hawaiian cultural community for over thirty years, working and/or volunteering with a variety of community organizations on Maui.  She provides Hawaiian cultural consultation, transcription, and translation through her small business, Hoʻāla Consulting.  She currently serves as the Poʻo Kula, or Head of School, at Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani, an independent Hawaiian cultural immersion school in ʻĪao Valley. She is a member of Hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻo Piʻilani and an accomplished practitioner of oli (Hawaiian chant) and hula kiʻi. Previously a singer/songwriter and bass-player for the award-winning Hawaiian music wāhine trio, Ahumanu, she continues to travel on tour as a backup singer with Kumu Hula, Kealiʻi Reichel. A Hana Noʻeau practitioner, she enjoys traditional feather work, wood and stone carving, and natural fiber textile arts.

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Born and raised in Kapahulu on Oʻahu, Kanoe Morishige is the Native Hawaiian Program Specialist and NOAA Affiliate for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument supporting Native Hawaiian advocacy and engagement across research, policy, and management to guide the co-management of PMNM. For the past fourteen years through her work in the Native Hawaiian non-profit organization, Nā Maka Onaona, she has been working alongside local communities perpetuating Native Hawaiian knowledge systems, integrating western scientific tools, and building capacity of youth leadership to support ʻāina momona, healthy and productive lands, oceans, and communities.

Born and raised in Kaimukī on O’ahu, Kaipo Perez is a Resource Management Specialist for NOAA Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Regional Office. He was raised in an ohana lawai'a abd still continues these traditions today.

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J. Māhealani Quirk is the Director of the Graduate Professional Access (GPA) Program in the Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity (SEED) at the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa (UHM). Māhealani has Masters degrees in Social Work and Educational Administration and is currently completing her doctoral studies at UH Mānoa. Māhealani has supported traditional, transfer, first-generation, and returning college students. Prior to her position in SEED she was a long-time staff member at Native Hawaiian Student Services.

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A Native Hawaiian mother, educator, cultural practitioner and executive, Dr. Waiʻaleʻale Arroyo is committed to the restoration of her peopleʻs Hawaiian identity, culture, language and practices for self-determination.

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Pua O Eleili is currently an illegal Hawaiian Birthworker and researcher. Having worked in community & at forest restoration projections during the time  received her BA & MA in Hawaiian studies dedicating projects to answering what are Hawaiian birthing practices

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Dr. Ululani Oana is currently an educator in Hawaiʻi who epitomizes an unwavering commitment to integrating ʻike kūpuna in students' educational journeys. Ululani earned her Doctorate in Curriculum Studies & Instruction from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Oana is a proud Native Hawaiian woman who experienced both public and private school systems in Hawaiʻi. She works towards creating a new generation of young adults who are community stewards and at the forefront of land revitalization.

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In 2009, Mailani released her first solo Hawaiian album and garnered her first Femail Vocalist OTY in 2010.  She has performed to sould out crowds throughout the islands, America, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, and even Ireland. Beyond her awards and travels, Mailani upholds her cultural integrity and responsibility in speaking her language and in giving back to her community young and old.  One of her most proud achievements was sharing and teaching 'ukulele and singing Hawaiian songs at Pohai Nani; a care home for kupuna.

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Hawaiian National that has spent the last 20 years dedicated to educating and informing all persons of the unique and true history of Hawaii that has been purposely hidden from the public. Always seeking justice for the Kingdom of Hawaii, works on de-occupying minds of the common persons who may still believe that Hawaii is the 50th State of the USA.

Katrina-Ann R. Kapāʻanaokalāokeola Oliveira is the interim Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies, a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution, a master's degree in Geography, a master of Business Administration degree, and a doctorate in Geography from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa. She is also a certified Co-Active Coach.