Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻO Piʻilani

Over 30 years ago, renowned Hawaiian Kumu Hula John Keola Lake, entrusted the kuleana (responsibility and privilege) of passing his Hawaiian traditional knowledge lineage from one generation to the next, to several individuals including his son, Kumu Hula Kapono‘ai Molitau. Since then, Kumu Kapono‘ai has dedicated his life to fulfilling this kuleana not only for today’s generation, but for seven generations which Kumu Lake has said, is the amount of generations needed to ensure that indigenous knowledge is successfully perpetuated and thrives. 

In May 2003, Kumu Kapono‘ai co-founded Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻO Piʻilani, a Maui hālau (traditional Hawaiian school) which teaches hula (dance) and oli (chant). Unlike other hālau in Hawai‘i, Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻO Piʻilani specializes in raising the next generation of kahuna pule (prayer practitioners) whose focus is on the spiritual connection of people and ‘āina (land). 

Kumu Hula Kaponoʻai Molitau

Kumu Kaponoʻai was born on the island of Oʻahu and raised traditionally with the cultural guidance of one of Hawaiiʻs leading authorities in Hula and Chant his makua hānai, the late Kumu Hula, John Keola Lake. His wisdom and guidance instilled years of cultural grounding and culminated in his ʻūniki as Kumu Hula in 1994. His hālau hula training and traditions come from the hula lineage of Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake of Oʻahu and Kaʻehukaikaae of Lāhaina, Maui. His Oli training and traditions come from Kumu Hula, John Keola Lake which was trained by Kumu Hula, Edith Kanakaole of Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi and Kaʻehukaikaae of Lāhaina, Maui.

Kumu Kaponoʻai is Kumu Hula of Hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻO Piʻilani which has been teaching hula, oli, loina Hawaiʻi, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and haku mele for the past 20 years in Wailuku and Kahului, Maui. Kumu Kaponoʻaiʻs continual commitment to the host culture of Hawaiʻi is a solid reflection of the ancestral guidance of his kūpuna. The excitement of working with our kānaka Hawaiʻi and the world as well as engaging with their hearts in hula, oli, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is always inspiring and fulfilling.

Kū Mai Ka Hula 2022

  • Sean Kauaakeakua Segundo - Mr. Hula Maui 2022

  • Kaiulani Kaniaupio - Ms. Hula Maui 2022 Runner Up

  • Group Wahine ʻAuana - 1st Place

  • Group ʻAuana Kūpuna - 3rd Place