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
Heidi Hokuli’i Allado
I have been haumana of Halau Hula Malani O Kapehe of Kihei, Maui for 13 years. I began as keiki (child) at the age of 8. Currently, I am lead Hula Alaka’i to Kumu. I assist in teaching all classes, organize casting, training, & managing production events. I am who I am today with the support of Halau as my backbone! I enjoy the support of our Halau ohana which has taught me essential lessons even outside of Halau, as Halau has the purest heartfelt intentions of Aloha. It is my hope & passion to share with our students to help them experience the lifestyle hula can bring. Ho’oponopono, ha’aha’a, ho’olohe ke pepe’iao, Nana I ka maka , pupukahi I holomua! Live in righteousness, humblness, listen, observe and move forward together- this opens your mind, soul and heart to the deeper and truest form of hula. It does not stop at the grace and the performance, hula’s truest form turns the mo’olelo (story) of the culture at its hardest times to the most beautiful story of the heart.
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.