OUR LEADERS

Kumu Malou Heleimakamaekamailekapilipoli “Kamaile” Smith

Kumu Kamaile is a Halau trained director with over 25 years of experience. Her love of Hula began in grade school when she would visit her family in Hawaii for summer vacations.

She formally began her dance training under the direction of the late Kumu Linda Danek and Kumu Kanani Densing of Hula Halau O Pi’ilani. Aunty Linda was a well-respected Kumu Hula in the Bay Area and to this day, her legacy lives on through her granddaughters. After a year of hula basics, language, and song, she was moved to the advanced class and was given her Hawaiian name, “Kamaile,” meaning, fragrant leaf used to make lei. After extensive training, she participated in the 1992 ‘Ia Oe E Kala Hula competition and the Ke Anuenue Hula festival in 1993. Being on stage was so exciting and rewarding! With the help of the Alaka’i (leaders) from Tiare Otea of San Francisco, the group started training in Ori Tahiti. The Halau entered Aparima group for Tahiti Fete San Jose and Kamaile entered Ms. Heiva and solos for the first time. Again, the drums took her attention. She knew at the time that Ori Tahiti was her first love and soon asked for her formal release. To this day, she will always love and appreciate the aloha that was taught by her first Kumu.

Formal protocol requires that a dancer cannot leave one Halau and immediately start with another. Since Kamaile was a firm believer in Halau, Protocol, and Aloha—she was not allowed to dance for one year but fulfilled the time by attending practices for Tiare Otea and learning from the sidelines. After one year, Kumu Marlo was ready to begin his own branch and she became his first student. In 1994 Na Kamali’i A Kiele / Te Mau Tamari’i A Tiare was born. She trained 5 days a week under the close direction of Kumu Marlo. After six months, the Halau formally started taking in students and she served as his alaka’i. She was given the Hawaiian name “Heleimakamaekamailekapilipoli” translating to, “fragrant Maile entwined within my heart.” She was given her own Keiki class and this is where she realized she had found her calling to teach. She has won 1st place awards for group and solo competitions. Her greatest accomplishment was to see the Haumana blossom into beautiful dancers.

PO’O PUA’A

Carina Alana Guinto is a distinguished figure in the world of Hula and Ori Tahiti. As the Po'o Pua'a of Ha'a Hula / Te Reva O Te Manu, she has dedicated her life to the art of dance since the early 1990s. Her journey began as a passionate dancer, mastering the intricate movements and cultural significance of both Hula and Ori. Carina's commitment to her craft and her community saw her rise through the ranks, serving as a Kako'o for the group. In 2024, she took on the esteemed role of Po'o Pua'a, becoming the sole leader of Ha'a Hula / Te Reva O Te Manu. Her leadership skills, honed through years of dedication and practice, are complemented by her exceptional administrative talents. Under Carina's guidance, the group is poised to reach new heights. Her vision and expertise ensure that the rich traditions of Hula and Ori are preserved and celebrated, while also embracing innovation and growth. Carina Alana Guinto's legacy is one of passion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the art of dance.

Carina Alana Guinto

ALAKA’I

Leah Nohealani Tupuivao was born and raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles, CA. She started learning Hula and Tahitian basics at 4 years old from her Auntie Ermanie who always insisted she and her cousins dance whenever she was around. When the ukulele came out, it was a “don’t argue, just dance” situation. Leah is now thankful for these lessons as it was the foundation to what would become a lifelong passion for dancing.

At 7 years old Leah began her formal training with Kanani Kalama Hula Studio under the direction of Kumu Kanani Kalama. This would be her first introduction to Halau. At the age of 11, Leah joined Nualanis Polynesia under the direction of Rose Laolagi. Leah learned many dances from different Polynesian islands and was able to further grow her knowledge and experience. At the age of 21, Leah joined Kekaiulu Hula Studio under the direction of Kumu Kekaimoku Yoshikawa. She would later become one of his Ho’opa’a. In 2018 Leah competed as a soloist at the Uncle George Na’ope Hula Festival. This experience was a highlight of her hula career that she will always cherish. After moving to Hollister, CA in 2020 Leah was settling into her new life but was missing hula terribly. In 2021 Leah met Kumu Kamaile. The connection was immediately strong. After attending the Open House shortly after this meeting, Leah knew without a doubt that she had found her hula home and ohana with Ha’a Hula/Te Reva O Te Manu.

Leah comes from a long line of Polynesian entertainers, most of them, musicians. The one remembered as the dancer of the family was Leah’s grandmother, Billie JoAnn Tupuivao. Leah dances with the mana of her grandmother. The passion for hula has grown through the years but it also runs deep in her blood. There is a responsibility to carry on hula, her Polynesian culture, and to share the aloha with everyone she meets for herself and her family but especially for her daughter.

Leah Nohealani Tupuivao

Maddie Robledo was born and raised in San Jose, California. At the age of 12, her parents moved to Hollister, California. In order to make new friends and adjust to the move, she started dancing Hula at a local club. Maddie fell in love with the traditional dance and culture. It brought her peace and joy while also letting her stay active and meet new people. In the year 2020, Maddie was introduced to Ha'a Hula Te Reva O Te Manu where she met Kumu Kamaile. She instantly felt a connection to the people she now calls family. Outside of the studio, Maddie is pursuing her passion for makeup and beauty while working at Ulta. She loves spending time with her family and making new memories with the people she loves.

Maddie Lehuanani Robledo

Lydia Maka’iolani Thanh

Lydia Maka’iolani was born and raised in the Bay Area. Her Polynesian dance journey began unexpectedly through music. In 2004, her high school's advanced choir traveled to Oahu for the Aloha State Choral Festival. Immersing themselves in the music of the Pacific Islands to prepare for the competition, the choir was also afforded the opportunity to learn some Polynesian dancing and a glimpse into the culture. That brief introduction on Oahu sparked a lifelong passion. Upon returning home, she sought out opportunities to continue learning, discovering the vibrant movements of Siva Samoa and the captivating rhythms of Ori Tahiti. Soon after, she began performing with a small production group in the South Bay. Her path then led her to Vallejo and the California Maritime Academy, where she was fortunate to find a studio that allowed her to continue dancing. While life's journey briefly took her away from the dance, the call eventually drew her back. Over the years, she has gained invaluable experience in both dancing and performing. However, her connection to the history, protocol, and community deepened significantly when she found her home at Ha'a Hula/ Te Reva O Te Manu. She is now filled with excitement to continue exploring, learning, and growing as a hula practitioner alongside her cherished FRAMily.

”The truth in 'Hula is not just a dance; it’s a way of life, a connection to our ancestors, and the 'āina’ echoes with increasing clarity in my heart and grows more profoundly with each step. The fluid, manea style of hula we practice feels like a natural extension of my being. Dance is my refuge, where I find grounding, express my spirit, and offer aloha.”

KAKO’O

Lisa Makamae Cortez Salud

Lisa Makamae was born and raised in the Bay Area. She started dancing with Ha'a Hula in 2017. Makamae was always drawn to the beauty and energy of the polynesian culture. Being a very spiritual and connected person, she found herself surrounded and attracted to the same energies around her. What she once was afraid of, she now understood and embraced. The connection with our ancestors has opened doors to understanding the spiritual connection she has experienced for years, but could never explain. When she first joined Ha'a Hula, what she thought was a workout session turned into a gift of life long friendships that soon became family and a love for sharing the ALOHA spirit.

“The feeling I get, when I get on that stage and dance my heart out, is a feeling like no other. I get lost in the moment and the fear of being on stage disappears. I feed off the energies in the audience. To know that I have somehow connected to even 1 person and touched their hearts through a dance, brings me joy. To have the opportunity to share a bit of Aloha and bring tears to their eyes, for whatever reason it may be, lets me know we have connected and being able to share this gift with them is such a blessing and gives me a sense of purpose.”

Mika ‘Ala’oli Uehara

Mika 'Ala'oli Uehara was born and raised in San Jose, California. Though far from the islands her Micronesian roots call home. Growing up on the mainland, she carried her culture fiercely, refusing to let distance dilute who she was. Being Micronesian in spaces that didn't always reflect her identity pushed her to show up proudly and intentionally, representing her people wherever she went.

Dance became her bridge. It started with friends at high school culture club performances — casual, joyful, and alive with something she hadn't expected. That spark quickly grew into a hunger for something deeper, more rooted, more intentional. She wanted to learn the stories held in movement, to connect with her ancestors through her body, and to find a community that understood why that mattered.

In the summer of 2023, a close friend and now hula sister brought her to Kumu Kamaile and Ha'a Hula Te Reva O Te Manu. From the very first day, Mika felt the Aloha, the warmth, the sense of unity that wrapped around her like something familiar. She had found her home and ‘ohana.

Since joining, she has grown through the halau's protocols, history, and the people who carry them with such devotion. Every practice deepens her connection to her culture and to her ancestors. For Mika, Ha'a Hula Te Reva O Te Manu is more than a hula halau, it is where she moves freely, honors where she comes from, and brings Pasifika culture into every room she enters.

MaryAnn Ha’alelea Cave

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KIA’I

Entrusted with the role of guardians and watchful protectors, the Kiaʻi of our hālau are dedicated to the well-being of our haumāna and the creation of a safe, positive space. Kumu Kamaile's selection of each individual reflects their exemplary qualities.

From left to right: Uncle Aaron Ho’okoa, Uncle Anthony Kepakiano Gumataotao, Uncle Justin Koali’i, Uncle Trev Kekaimalu, and Uncle Kimo Kapukawai

(Not Pictured): Jonathan Kiakahi Fajardo

KUKULU

Our Kukulu, or, Armor Bearers, are special prayer warriors for our halau. Chosen carefully by Kumu Kamaile, each Kukulu holds a special gift of spiritual prayer. They pray with us and for us in times of need. Their prayers keep a hedge of protection around our haumana to keep us safe mentally, physically, and spiritually.