Bonnie Kahape‘a – has been teaching at HKM since our doors opened in 2000.  She developed and teaches a curriculum relating to Hawaiian navigation, sailing, and seamanship (Wa‘a Project for kua‘ana) and is the captain of Kanehünamoku, HKM’s double-hulled sailing canoe.  She received her BA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University; she is currently a PhD candidate in Humanities: transformative learning and change.  She has worked as a therapist for Marimed Foundation and Director of ‘Aha Punana Leo preschool at Kawaiha‘o.  Bonnie is also a crew member of the voyaging canoe, Makali‘i, and has sailed over 4,000 miles between Hawai‘i and Micronesia to honor master navigator, Mau Piailug.

‘Imaikalani Winchester – is the kumu alaka‘i for the kua‘ana loko i‘a project at He‘eia.  ‘Imai is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.  He has been teaching at HKM since 2004.

Kalaukia Kekoa – works with both kaikaina projects (Ko Kula Uka and Ko Kula Kai) as a kumu kako‘o for math.  Kalau has been an educational assistant at HKM since 2002 and has over 7 years experience working with students at Stevenson Middle School from her home community of Papakölea.

Kaleilehua Maioho – teaches ‘olelo Hawai‘i and language arts and mo‘olelo within the Lo‘i project.  She came to the Mana Maoli ‘ohana in 2005 after spending a year living, learning, and working in Aotearoa.  In addition to Hawaiian and English, she also speaks Maori and Samoan.

Kawika Mersberg – teaches hula for all HKM students and is the kumu 'alaka‘i for the Ko Kula Uka project for kaikaina.  He is the director of our annual ho‘ike, composer of numerous mele and oli used at HKM, and talented musician.  He received his BA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and studies hula under the direction of Kumu Kapi‘olani Ha‘o. Kawika has been teaching at HKM since 2001 and has over 10 years experience working with students in the classroom and after-school programs.

Kekama Amona – teaches language arts and mo‘olelo within the Ko Kula Uka project for kaikaina.  He received his BA in Psychology and MA in English from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and has been teaching at HKM since 2003.  Kekama hopes to help students learn to use reading and writing to make better life choices and to find connections between their lives and their academic goals.

Koalani Lagareta – is the kumu alaka‘i for the Ko Kula Kai project for kaikaina.  Prior to joining HKM in 2004, she taught elementary and preschool students across all content areas at Kawaiha‘o School and Montessori of Maui.  Her undergraduate and graduate degrees are in Education and she has special training and certification in Montessori education, philosophy and methodology.  She currently resides in Waimanalo with her keiki, Kanoa and Kaleihoku.

Willy Kauai – teaches ‘olelo Hawai‘i and is a kumu for math, science, and mo‘olelo for kua‘ana with the loko i‘a project at He‘eia Fishpond.  Willy has been teaching at HKM since 2004.