Kumu Sylvia Puananiha`aheo Edgar started studying, June 2006 to April 2008, under Loea Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett in his `Uniki Program in `Ola`a, Hawai`i. She has `Uniki as an `Olapa in February 2007 and most recently `Uniki as Ho`opa`a, along with receiving the title of Kumu Hula, under Loea Kawaikapuokalani in April 2008.

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Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett

Kahuna, Healer, Spiritual & Cultural Leader, Chanter, Kumu Hula, Composer...

I was raised in Käne'ohe by my parents Alexander Kapilialoha Hewett and Alice Pualeilani Käna‘e Hewett in the home of my maternal grandparents, Frank Ka‘aiali‘i Käna‘e and Eva Wahineali‘i Rowan Käna‘e...

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Tutu: Haina Kalehualaha`ole Blaisdell

My legacy of hula comes down from a Hawaiian man named Kahu Hienie: "Haina Kalehualaha`ole Blaisdell", (B. Moloka`i, Hawaii 6-13-10, D. Oxnard, California 8-17-84). He is fondly remembered as "Tutu". I studied hula under him for 4 years (1975-1979).

He taught hula the old way - no papers, just watch, remember, listen and learn. He also taught Hula Kahiko, `Auana, Oli, Ho`opa`a, Hawaiian language and history, sewing, lei making and Hawaiian arts and crafts. In the beginning, I had to go to Tutu's home in Oxnard, CA for hula, 5 days a week, after school for 2 hours, and many times on the weekends. Also, I had singing lessons and drama classes. Eventually, the halau was moved to Mawaekamaka Copeland's home, my Kumu Sister, in Port Hueneme, CA. The halau is still open today -over 30 years.

On September 18, 1976, Mawae and I received the prestigious title of Kumu Hula from Tutu. I told Tutu that I was too young, only 15, to receive this title. He insisted and said that there was a reason for it. In April 1977, Mawae and I had participated in our first and last hula competition, the 14th Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition Festival, as na haumana. We were the first halau outside of the Hawaiian Islands to enter this hula competition. It was a most memorable experience for us. After the hula competion, we toured 5 of the Hawaiian islands with Tutu. In our travels, we were very fortunate to meet `Iolani Luahine; she was a Great Hula Master.

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