Kumu Hula - Ka’iulani Medeiros Cruz

Ka’iulani Medeiros was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Island of O’ahu. Ka’iulani grew up in Hawai’i Kai, attended Hahaione Elementary, Niu Valley Intermediate, and a 1982 Graduate of Henry J. Kaiser High School. After high school Ka’iulani attended Kapiolani Community College, majoring in Hotel Management. Ka’iulani is the youngest of 4 children, like her two older sisters, Nalani and Mahealani she began hula at the age of 4 years old trained by Leilani Alama for a very extensive period of time then later under Kealoha Kalama. Ka’iulani’s mom, Sylvia Mililani Medeiros, (Hawaiian) was a Professional Piano Player (Soloist) in Waikiki for 42 years, and her Dad, George L. Medeiros Sr; (Portuguese) was a retired Honolulu police officer (solo bike rider) and Doorman at the Moana Hotel. Ka’iulani grew up in Waikiki performing at the Ho’olaulea, Waikiki Shell, Kapiolani Bandstand, Royal Hawaiian shopping Center, along with a lot of the hotels in Waikiki. In 1992 Ka’iulani and her husband, Kaneali’i, their 3 young sons, Alika, Kawika, and Keoki relocated to Dallas, Texas to start an affordable life on the mainland. After living in Dallas for a little bit, Ka’iulani became homesick and wanted to start hula again, her sister Mahealani, located Frank Keli’i Chang III on the internet and told me I found a Kumu for us that was in 2004. While training under Kumu Keli’i Chang III, I had the honor of competing in the 2006 Merrie Monarch (Hilo, Hawai’i), 2007 E Hula Mau (Long Beach, California) and 2010 King Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawai’i) competitions. Recently, on October 26th, 2010 I received the most honorable Makana (gift), Kumu Keli’i ‘uniki’d me to Kumu Hula.

Ka’iulani currently lives in Irving, teaching hula in the Dallas area and continues to perpetuate the Hawaiian Culture, keeping it alive in Texas.

Kumu Hula - Kekoa Ke Ali'i

Kekoa Ke Ali'i is also known as Roland Shim Jr., was born in Riverside, CA, but raised in Moanalua, HI. I attended Moanalua Elementary, Kamehameha Intermediate and graduated class of 1979 from Kamehameha High School. I then attended New Mexico Military Institute and graduated with an Associates Degree in Accounting.I started my 11year career in the National Guard, and reached the rank of Captain. I am the oldest of 4 kids, to Roland Kim Yin Shim Sr. who was in the Air Force for 33 years, and his mother Yvonne Maire Shim was a cafeteria lady at Punahou High school. In 1992, I moved to Fort Worth, TX because of my long term job at American Airlines. I have been married to Lokelani since 1988 and am a father to 4 kids, and a grandfather to 11. In 1999, Kekoa founded Kumu Hula Frank Keli'i Chang III and his hula group Halau Ho'ola Ka Mana O' Hawai'i and started his kids in hula then eventually joined himself, because Kumu Keli'i emphasized hula was a family affair. He danced under him until 2007, he also danced for Tumu Teriki Keil, from 2004 until 2010. While with Kumu Keli'i he became the Alaka'i, and then later Po'o Pua'a. He attended Merrie Monarch in 2000, 2001 and 2006, then attended E Hula Mau in 2003 and 2004. At E Hula Mau, he won second place for his Oli Chant. After some time away from hula, Kumu Keli'i 'uniki'd me to Kumu Hula in 2010.

I am currently living in Euless, teaching hula to the metroplex area.