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BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Kumu Hōkūlani Haila Hiʻileialiʻi Holt Padilla was born on Oʻahu and raised on Maui. Her maternal side stems from Nuʻu in the district of Kaupō. Later, her family moved to Kahakuloa and Wailuku where her grandmother was born. She is the Kumu Hula of Pā‘ū O Hi‘iaka; the President of Kaʻehu, a nonprofit organization striving to revitalize the shoreline practices and places of Kaʻehu; the President of Kauahea Inc., a nonprofit organization on Maui for Hawaiian cultural practices, religious practices, and education; the Vice President of Lālākea Foundation; a former Commissioner of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission; and an Advisory Board member for the Office of Hawaian Affairs trustee Hulu Lindsey from Maui. In addition to her Hālau and many roles, she also participates in numerous cultural gatherings, ceremonies, workshops, conferences, and performances and remains actively involved in hula, Hawaiian culture, and its community.