LEOPOLD WAIAʻU

KUMU - PAPA MĀLAAʻO

Leo Waiaʻu was born and raised in Wailuku, Maui. He received his diploma through the North American Montessori Center in 2024 and plans to continue his education at UH Maui College. He is happily married and the father of four children as well as a senior leader at Ke Aha Vineyard Christian Fellowship. As a kumu, he is passionate in creating a safe and nurturing place for keiki to discover their identity as kanaka and create connections to this ʻāina we call home.

WEHILANI AKI

KUMU - PAPA MĀLAAʻO

Wehilani Aki was born and raised in Kumuwiliwili, ʻĪao. She is a graduate of St. Anthony High School class of 2002 and volunteers extensively at St. Ann’s Church in Waiheʻe. She has 15+ years experience in early childhood education working as a teacher’s assistant at various preschools throughout Maui County. She loves to collect/read books, spend quality time with ʻohana, and be in nature. As a kumu kākoʻo this year, Wehilani is hoping to nurture the keiki at Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani to become grounded in Hawaiian culture and values.

NALU ROBINSON

KUMU - PAPA ʻEKAHI KŪIKAWĀ

Campus coordinator & intersession program director

Nalu Robinson is a Hawaiian musician and bass player for Trio Kuaola and a father. He received his High School Diploma from Baldwin High School, Maui. Teaching since 2018 with the Hawaiʻi Nature Center as a program facilitator for school excursion groups and nature camps and with Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani in Papa ʻEkahi. Bilingual in English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, CPR, Basic Lifesaving and AED certification. He values the idea of helping the keiki of his community become exemplary members of his lāhui as it brings him much joy and fulfillment.

JOSIE KAMAKA-KELIʻILIKI

KUMU KĀKOʻO - papa 1

Josephine Kamaka-Keliiliki was born in Wailuku and raised in Kihei, Maui. She graduated from Maui High and is looking forward to furthering her education as well. She has worked in childcare for over 20 years and coached kids competitive sports for over 10 years. She and her husband reside in Waiʻehu with their 6 keiki. This is her second year as a Kumu Kakoʻo for Papa ʻEkahi.

KALANI LIBRANDO-SOUZA

KUMU - PAPA 2

Kalani Librando-Souza is a Hawaiian musician and a former student of Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Maui. After graduating from King Kekaulike high school, Kalani attended the Institute of Hawaiian Music for a 2 year program at UHMC. Kalani looks forward to nurturing and inspiring the next generations just as his many kumu before him have done for him.

MELANIE SANTIAGO

KUMU Kākoʻo - papa 2

Melanie Santiago was born and raised in Wailuku, Maui where she continues to reside with her husband, Kimo, and their two keikikāne. Melanie also works in pharmacy as a certified technician and has many years of experience serving children of all ages through her ministry work. Her passion is fueled by the excitement that keiki express during their learning experiences. She looks forward to continuing to support, uplift, and encourage the youth of her community and through her work at Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani.

LAHELA MATA GOLDMANN

KUMU - papa 3

Lahela Mata-Goldmann was born and raised in Waiʻehu, Maui. She has acquired two Associates degrees in Liberal Arts and Hawaiian Studies from UH Maui College. She is currently enrolled in the NAMC Upper Elementary Division Montessorii Training Program and expects to graduate next summer. Her passion for teaching comes from her many mentors who have motivated and encouraged her to be the person that she is today. She is grateful for all the adventures, memories, and ʻike that is gained throughout the school year.

LEIMANA PUʻU

Poʻo KUMU & Kumu - Papa 4 & papa 5

Leimana Puʻu was born and raised on Maui in Waiʻehu. She graduated in Fall 2021 from UH Mānoa with a bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies with a concentration in Mālama ʻĀina. In Fall 2023 she completed her masters in Curriculum Development with an emphasis in integrating traditional knowledge in STEM. When working and teaching the keiki of Ke Kula ʻo Piʻilani, she is able to see the love our kūpuna had for our ʻāina, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and the Hawaiian community.

JEN FORDYCE ATAY

Kumu - Papa 6/7

Kumu Jen has 19 years of experience in language arts, special education, and project-based/place-based learning. She is excited to lead the pbHTA program, a new middle school partnership between Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani and Hawaiʻi Technology Academy. Kumu Jen earned her Bachelor's degree at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD, and her Master of Arts in Teaching at Brown University in Providence, RI. She feels grateful to have a home, family, and career on Maui and considers it part of her highest kuleana to be a strong resource and advocate for her haumāna and their families.