
EP 70 Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’ole on how we find family in `āina
From Land and People by Melissa Chimera
January 16, 2026 · 1h 5m · Season 4 · Episode 70
About this episode
Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’ole discusses the connection between humans and the Hawaiian landscape through culture and education.
In this re-released interview, we talk with renowned chanter, dancer, songwriter and educator Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’ole about the intimate connection between humans and the Hawaiian landscape as practiced in Hawaiian lifeways. Her perspective is that of a descendent from the legendary Kanaka’ole family, most notably her grandmother Edith Kekuhi Kanaka’ole, one of Hawaii's first educators who made language and dance accessible to all. She talks about connecting conservation science to Hawaiian thought and understanding through her work with Hālau `Ōhi`a and the ways in which we might connect more deeply with the creatures and plants which surround us. Visit https://www.kekuhi.com/ for more information on how you can enroll in programs and learn directly from Kekuhi.
People in this episode
Host: Melissa Chimera
Guest: Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’ole
Topics covered
- Hawaiian culture
- conservation science
- family connections
- landscape
- education
Keywords
- Hawaiian lifeways
- chanter
- dancer
- songwriter
- conservation
- Kanaka’ole family
- language
- dance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Hālau `Ōhi`a
Places: Hawaii
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