August 24, 2025 at Gates Performing Arts Theatre HPA
3rd Annual Hoike for Ho‘ola Ka Makana‘ā o Ka‘ūpūlehu
Pūlama ‘Ohana: Cherish Family Earth
Families were invited to celebrate ‘āina through local stories, music and dance.
Keoki and Yvonne share their original music stories — borne on the winds, tides and reverberations of the Earth. These are not easy times but to maintain balance and wellness, they write and sing their truths of beauty, sorrow and life. Joining them after these pieces are the gifted musicians of many genres weaving their sound stories. They are kumu as well. The evening begins with reverence for life and loved ones. Cansu Culha dances to the second piece.
Cansu Culha
Dancer and earth sciences geologist who studies volcanoes, climate change. Currently directing her concern and research towards permafrost melt and itʻs many implications to the future. Cansu partnered years ago with Ka‘ūpūlehu dryland forest ‘ohana and continues to spend creative time whenever possible with Aunty Yvonne and Uncle Keoki—finding ways to dance stories of the dynamics that concern the future of all species—our earth relatives and kumu.
The Band Apokolani
Keoki Apokolani Carter on guitars, baritone ukulele & vocals; Yvonne Yarber, vocals; Paul Lindbergh on saxophone; Elliot Maker on keyboards (and teacher at Waianae, the alma mater of Keoki and Yvonne); wood craftsman and long time island musician, Steve Toma of Paauilo on electric bass; and Michaeloha Elam on Trumpet. More about these creative, community loving individuals at this apokolani website link
Featured Poets and Dancers
Ku‘ulei Keakealani
Pūlama ‘Ohana: Cherish Family Earth was the name Ku‘ulei helped choose for this event after consideration with Aunty and Uncleʻs intent; it also describes her lifetime kuleana. She tends and transmits Mo‘olelo Pahi Wana, (Storied Places); and is a conduit of new, vibrant stories through poetry, stories and chants. Whether olelo Hawai‘i or English, her voice carries the ancestral connections as PLACE talks to her and thru her—weaving us all together. Ku‘ulei is of the Ho‘ola Ka Makana‘ā o Ka‘ūpūlehu forest ‘ohana team members and a creative teacher (kumu) in this homeland of her family. Also, a paniolo (cowgirl) and of these Hawai’i island hills, valleys and ocean and book author.
Kūwalu Nicole Anakalea
Kūwalu always high energy and all-in no matter the venue, will share a rare window to the personal relationship to inner and outer place through Laka and Kapō as Kumu Hula. From a new book that offers facets of Kumu Hula perspectives for those seeking to better understand the profound kuleana and Hula lifelines. Another committed to cultural legacy, vibrancy and creativity; Kūwalu is also a teacher at HPA. Prior to that in the DOE system for several decades including formative years at Kanu O Ka ‘Āina.
Julie Camarillo
Multi-dimensional Hawai’i wāhine…dedicated to making a positive contribution to place, family and community…Stepping beyond her role as teacher at HPA school in Waimea, Hawai’i island. The poet and writer Julie shares her offering on the theme “‘Pūlama ‘Ohana:Cherish Family Earth”” with a reading of one of her writings.
Leilā Dudley and daughter Makaloa tell of Puukawaiwai in hula. Kuulei Keakealani reveals more in mo‘oleo told for generations by keepers of wahi pana legacy. And the Band shares the sounds that Puukawaiwai and ancestors awakened in songmaker Keoki Apokolani Carter. Mahalo to place.
Born and raised in the ahupuaʻa of Pāpaʻikou on Hawaiʻi island, Leilā has a strong sense of kuleana (responsibility) to take care of those that came before, encompassing all forms of our ancestors as seen with a Hawaiian worldview: humans, plants, animals, rocks, environmental processes & more. Leilā has a deep passion for aloha ʻāina and was raised dancing hula.Leilā is now the coordinator for the Teaching Change program with the Akaka Foundation and is excited about helping to instill aloha ʻāina values into the students and teachers she works with along with incorporating more Hawaiian language and Hawaiʻi life ways into the program.
Another mele of our times.
Raffle Grandprize:
‘OHANA UPDATE!!!!
TRIP FOR FOUR!!!
Mahalo nui to Ulu Ha‘o. www.uluhao.org
