Aloha kākou, my name is Keawelauliiokalani Smith, and I am humbled to serve as Kumu of our hālau.

 

I was born on the island of Oʻahu and lived all over the island with my mother and brother.  When my mother remarried, our 'ohana moved away from Hawai‘i and lived in different places around the world due to my dad's military service. Even though we were far from home, my mom kept the culture close—sharing stories of Hawai‘i, teaching us through her own experiences as a hula dancer, and cooking local food.

 

When life eventually brought me to Jacksonville, Florida, I was blessed to find a hālau here. As I started my own family, it was very important to me that my husband and our three daughters grew up with Hawaiian culture as a living part of our daily lives.  I am forever thankful to Kumu Jet for all of his aloha, teachings, and guidance as my first Kumu.

 

In time, I was placed under the direction of Kumu Hula Keola Ohumukini, where I trained and studied for many years. With his encouragement, I began the journey of founding my own hālau. Over ten years later, our hālau continues to grow, thrive, and carry forward the traditions of hula and Hawaiian culture with aloha.

 

It is my greatest honor to share this ʻike with our haumāna and community—so that no matter where we are in the world, the spirit of Hawai‘i is always alive.