LEOPOLD WAIAʻU II

KUMU kula - PAPA MĀLAAʻO

Leo Waiaʻu II was born and raised in Wailuku, Maui. He has a deep love and appreciation for his one hānau. He received his diploma through the North American Montessori Center in 2024 and plans to continue his education at UH Maui College. Leo has years of experience working with youth and families as a church leader. He is happily married and the father of four children. ʻOhana is a central value to Kumu Leo. In ʻohana we can find community, accountability, and safe places to heal together. As a kumu, he is passionate in creating a safe and nurturing environment for keiki to discover their identity as kanaka, and create connections to this ʻāina we call home. His highest priority is to ensure that all keiki know that they are loved, and during his time at Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani his devotion to this priority has only grown.

WEHILANI AKI

KUMU kākoʻo - PAPA MĀLAAʻO

Wehilani Aki was born and raised in Kumuwiliwili, ʻĪao. She now resides in Paukukalo alongside her husband with their 3 keiki. She is a graduate of St. Anthony High School ℅ 2002. She has 20+ years experience in early childhood education working as a teacher’s assistant at various preschools throughout Maui County. This is Kumu Wehilaniʻs 3rd year serving as kumu kakoʻo for Papa Mālaaʻo. She loves to spend quality time with ʻohana, be one with nature, and serve in her church community at St. Annʻs Waiheʻe. Wehilani feels grateful to be a part of Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani ʻohana and as a kumu kakoʻo looks forward to supporting haumana and their ʻohana through aloha, kuleana and ʻimi ʻike.

JOSIE KAMAKA-KELIʻILIKI

KUMU kula - papa ʻekahi

Josephine Kamaka-Keliiliki, lovingly known to her haumāna as Kumu Jojo, is the lead Kumu for Papa ʻEkahi at Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani. Born and raised in Kīhei, she now resides in Waiʻehu with her ʻohana. Josephine joined Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani three years ago, beginning her journey as a kumu kākoʻo for Papa ʻEkahi, a role she held for two years. This year, she proudly stepped into the lead Kumu position, working alongside Kumu Lala, who now serves as the class’s kumu kākoʻo. In addition to leading Papa ʻEkahi, Josephine also teaches Hoʻoikaika Kino, providing physical education for the haumāna. With over 20 years of experience in childcare and as a certified soccer and softball coach, Josephine has dedicated much of her life to working with youth. She has recently shifted her focus to elementary education and is furthering her own learning through coursework at UH Maui. Josephine is passionate about supporting keiki and is deeply grateful to be part of the Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani team.

KAʻILILAUOKEKOA PUʻU

KUMU kākoʻo - PAPA ʻekahi

Kaʻililauokekoa Puʻu was born and raised in Waiehu, Maui. After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Maui in 2020, she attended the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to earn her Associates Degree in Hawaiian Studies and Liberal Arts. She then completed her Bachelors Degree in Hawaiian Studies with a concentration in Mālama ʻĀina from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2025. During her educational journey, she worked at Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani in various positions. Starting in 2021, she helped with the Kula Kauwela program alongside Kumu Leimana as a kumu kākoʻo. Then, from 2022-2024, she ran the Pāʻina Piʻilani After school Program, helping haumāna with haʻawina and providing fun and educational activities. Now, after graduating from UH Mānoa, she became a full-time kumu for Papa ʻEkahi and is excited to finally be able to be fully immersed in Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani, assisting to educate haumāna focusing on ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, ʻike kūpuna, and the beautiful ʻāina of Māniania.

KALANI LIBRANDO-SOUZA

KUMU KULA - papa ʻELUA

Kalani Librando-Souza is a Hawaiian musician and proud alumnus of Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Maui. A graduate of King Kekaulike High School, he went on to refine his craft at the Institute of Hawaiian Music at UHMC, completing its distinguished two-year program.

With more than a decade of experience as a performing musician, Kalani brings both passion and cultural grounding to his work. Beyond music, he has served his community as a youth basketball and volleyball coach since his high school years and currently officiates high school volleyball, continuing his commitment to local athletics. Kalani is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of learners, artists, and leaders, carrying forward the values and guidance instilled in him by his many kumu.

LAHELA MATA-GOLDMANN

KUMU kula - papa ʻekolu

Lahela Mata-Goldmann was born and raised on Maui in the moku of Wailuku. She recently graduated with her Upper Elementary (Grades 3–8) teaching diploma from the North American Montessori Center and also holds degrees and experience in Hawaiian Language and Culture. Lahela’s passion for teaching is deeply rooted in the guidance of the many mentors she has learned from through hula, oli, and traditional Hawaiian crafts. She consistently integrates these practices into her classroom and learning spaces, helping students connect culturally, academically, and creatively. She looks forward to continuing to inspire and motivate keiki to be consistent, steadfast, and elevate their culture and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi while empowering them to share their knowledge with others.

KAHAKEA MORTON

Kumu KĀKOʻO - Papa ʻEHĀ & PAPA ʻELIMA

Kumu Kahakea Morton was born and raised on Maui in Waiheʻe Valley. Descended from generational kalo and puaʻa farmers, he has spent his youth cultivating a deep physical and spiritual connection to Maui’s lands and fresh water systems. After graduating in 2014 from Kamehameha Schools Maui, Kahakea then went on to study at Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻēlikōlani, the college of Hawaiian language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Studies with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture in 2018. While attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Kahakea further honed his skills in Hawaiian language while becoming a student of varying interests; excelling in courses such as cultural anthropology, ethnobotany, animal science, aquaculture, and Hawaiian music composition. Since beginning his employment at Ke Kula O Piʻilani in 2025, Kumu Kahakea has been instrumental in the establishment of several programs on campus including the hānai puaʻa project, the ongoing production of our mala ʻai, and the composting and vermicomposting program. As kumu for papa mahiʻai and papa ʻehā, Kahakea strives to use his experience and passion for aloha ʻāina and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to support Ke Kula O Piʻilaniʻs ongoing mission to nurture confident and outspoken leaders who are firmly rooted in Hawaiian language, culture, and values.

LEIMANA PUʻU

Kumu KULA - Papa ʻEHĀ & PAPA ʻELIMA

POʻO KUMU

Leimana Puʻu was born and raised in Waiʻehu, Maui, with ʻohana roots grounded in Wailuanui and Hāna on the island’s east side. Guided by her kūpuna, she found her way to Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani in 2020, where she began her journey in educating Hawaiian youth, creating place-based curriculum for Māniania, and strengthening pilina within the community. During her early years at Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani, Leimana earned her bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Studies with a concentration in Mālama ʻĀina from UH Mānoa in Fall 2021. She later stepped into the role of Poʻo Kumu, focusing on empowering fellow educators and enhancing the program through meaningful professional development. In Fall 2023, she completed her master’s degree in Curriculum Development with an emphasis on integrating traditional knowledge into STEM education. Leimana is deeply committed to decolonizing education for Indigenous communities and supporting the healing of youth through immersion in traditional practices and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. She continues to serve Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani’s mission of nurturing lifelong learners and inspired community leaders.

Aloha. Kuleana. ʻImi ʻike.

STEPHANIE ADOLPHO

LIMAHANA KEʻENA, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Bio coming soon