Nā Kumu

Nā Kālai Waʻa has many kumu resources from various educational entities and communities organizations. These kumu, along with our waʻa crew, are responsible for the  educational programs that Nā Kālai Waʻa provide.

 Here are the  kumu that contribute  to the delivery of all Na Kālai Waʻa educational programs throughout the year.  

Our kumu are waʻa crew members as well, passionate regarding their environment, from mauka to makaʻi,

as well as the well being of students.   Mahalo to all our kumu!

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Blossom Pualani Lincoln Maielua - A mom of three young boys, waʻa captain of Kānehūnāmoku, and a teacher at Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy in Waimea, Hi,  Pualani teaches about lawaiʻa, waʻa,  stewardship & canoe protocols.  Pua is experienced in developing curriculum for hawaiian education programs, and

is a strong contributor to the Nā Kālai Waʻa  education program.

 

 

Pomai Bertelmann - A kumu at Kanu O Ka ʻĀina Charter School in Waimea and an education specialist with the Pacific Voyaging Society, Pomai is intimately involved in the rducation programs of Nā Kālai Waʻa.  As the daughter of Clay Bertelmann, she carries the kuleana of Nā Kālai Waʻaʻs vision along with her faimily and those of theMakaliʻi ʻOhana in perpetuating the waʻa culture for all students.

 

 

Kaimana Barcarse - Kaimana is an apprentice navigator, sailing on various legs of the Hōkūleʻaʻs World Wide Voyage.  He is also Vice President of Nā Kālai Waʻa Board of Directors and President of the Hawaiʻi

Civic Club - Ke Aloha ʻĀina.  Kaimana has been involved with culture based education and brings this knowledge to support the education programs of Nā Kālai Waʻa.

 

 

Roxy Stewart - A kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, Roxy also leads community initiatives in Hilo for restoring and maintaining Hale O Lono where she teaches cultural traditions with science for our youth learners.  She also works at UH Marine Mammal Rehabilitatin center, teaching cultural training and protocol related to the realm of Kanaloa - (ocean world) - Kai Palaoa.  

 

 

Pua Case - A Hawaiian cultural practitioner and avid community member of Waimea, Pua is also a education leader in her community  She contributes to  Makaliʻi ʻOhana and her community of Waimea

and Kohala through her mele, chant, hula, stories. Puaʻs contribution to NKW curriculum development includes embedding these mele, chants, and stories into lessons that classroom kumu can use to

connect to the land and environment.

 

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Hope Pua McKeen - A kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Pua extends her passion for education to young learners as well as teachers.  In doing so, Pua incorporates cultural and personal identity in learning science, math, and other focus areas of education.

 

 

Rod Floro - A Makaliʻi ʻOhana crew member, father of two young boys, and middle school teacher at Kamehameha Schools, he sits on the Sustainability Council at Kamehameaha Schools, Hawaiʻi campus.

 

 

Keōmailani Case - Keōmailani is a fifth grade teacher at Kanu O Ka ʻĀina.  Being rasied in Waimea, Keōmailani carries her environment into all aspects of her classroom. She has a unique way of teaching

her students the meaning of "he waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa".  Her students do not just learn to voyage, but they train to be voyagers for life.   

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Uʻilani Naipo - Crew member for Nā Kālai Waʻa, Uʻi Naippo is consistent in her support of educational programs of Nā Kālai Waʻa.  As an avid contributor in various communities: Keaukaha-Panaʻewa Farmers Association, Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, Haʻakūmalae & Pāmaomao Cohort of Hawaiʻi Community College, Mālama Makanalua, ʻOhana Waʻa ma Hilo, and Kahu Kū Mauna, Uʻi teaches the important concept of working together in order to accomplish the task at hand.