Kumu Hula Mapuana Samonte was born and raised in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. She was formally trained by Kumu Hula Emma Farden-Sharpe of Lahaina, Maui from the tender age of 3. As a child, she spent much time with her grandmother, Helen Kapehe Ku’uleialoha Ching, who is the inspiration for her to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and hula thus bringing forth the name of our halau, Halau Hula Malani O Kapehe.
As Kumu Hula for Halau Hula Malani O Kapehe, she instructs weekly classes, sharing the arts of hula, drumming, chanting, and spiritual connections to the Hawaiian Culture. She holds a strong belief that preserving Hawaiian culture of the past and integrating modern methods of dance, results in a living tradition of dance.
She and her family are driven to continue to keep the Hawaiian culture alive. The strong connection to their Ohana’s genealogy brings forth considerable tradition and knowledge for future generations to carry forward through the halau.
Alaka’i
Kaimana Nakamura
I have been with Halau Hula Malani O Kapehe for 14 years along with my daughter Kira. I assist Kumu with registration of new students, and casting for performance events and Halau communication. I was taught Tahitian Drumming by Kumu, and assist in teaching selected haumana drumming on Tahitian Pahu, To`ere, and Fa`atete, as well as conch. For me, Hula is a way of life, a way of celebrating and perpetuating a deep culture, rich in wisdom, humbleness, and appreciation of the land and the sacred breath of Life ~ Aloha.
Chelsea Lokelani Davidson
I started dancing hula in 2012 with little expectation in myself. It did not occur to me that one day I would be on stage performing for an audience unless it was singing; my haven to fine arts. Kumu found in me a different voice that had the potential to deliver oli and so she held my hand as I began learning more about the duties of an Alaka’i Ho’opa’a. I am still learning and have a long way to go, but I cherish every lesson I learn as I assist the haumana with the mele we dance to, as well as the oli we chant, providing my voice and utilizing the ipu heke as a guide. It is an honor to be able to share my blessings and experiences with our haumana. Hula was created using a deeper sense of self, and I hope to show others the way feelings and spirituality are woven into a poem by its creator as well as potentially finding our own emotions driving the movements we learn.