E Mele Mai

Leināʻala Pavao Jardin

Kauaʻi born, Leināʻala began her life-long hula journey at the age of three. Upon graduating high school she left her beloved home to study at The University of Hawaiʻi Hilo where her advanced hula training would continue under Kumu Hula Rae Fonseca. Returning to Kauaʻi to care for her mother in 1995 and with the blessing from Kumu Rae she began Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala in 1996.

Kumu Leināʻala shares the trials and triumphs of her hula career, the impact of the pandemic on her personally and her hālau, special places that connect her to ʻāina and of course hula. She and Aaron relive the moments that led to the hālauʻs monumental achievement in 2022 at The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival as they Returned home to cheering crowds as the first overall festival winner, ever from Kauaʻi.

Experience More E Mele Mai

Robert Cazimero

Robert Cazimero, Kumu Hula, Composer and music icon joins Aaron at the majestic Moana Surfrider to share stories about his time as a youngster in Waikīkī and all the new happenings in his life.

Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole

Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole is an educator who has trained in the tradition of Hula ʻAihaʻa and Hula Pele, chant and ritual for 39 years under Hālau O Kekuhi, named for her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole.

Clifford Naeʻole

Born and raised on the island of Maui, Clifford Naeʻole shares in intimate detail the story of his life and the kuleana of the name he carries.

Mālama Hawaiʻi

Take a Trip that Gives Back