About Us

Founded in 2023, PILI Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit cultural organization established by kumu hula and cultural practioners to preserve, protect and promote Hawaiian practices and traditions.

Sprouting from a love of hula and knowledge shared by loea hula, Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, PILI Foundation continues the legacy through Kūhai hālau (hula schools) and community workshops and events.

Through the pilina (connection) to our ancestors, our teachers, to one another as hula sisters, and our community, PILI Foundation is the culmination of our kuleana (responsibilty and privelidge) to teach and share the ancient teachings.

It is our hope that we elevate the awareness and deepen the understanding of Polynesian cultures deeping their roots for future generations.

  • KRISTIN KAWENA GARUBA

    PRESIDENT/BOARD MEMBER

    It all began with an idea to share the love of hula with more people, from keiki to kūpuna. With over 17 years as a hula practitioner, founder and kumu hula Kawena Garuba is committed to the preservation and cultivation of the Hawaiian culture through hula (Hawaiian dance), mele (music), ‘olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language) and hana no’eau (arts). Her passion for Hawaiʻi is deeply rooted in her family ties, hula and Hawaiian cultural arts, and business relationships. In 2022, Kawena completed her ‘uniki rites with Papa Lāʻī under loea hula, Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and teaches full-time at San Diego Hula Academy/Kūhai Hālau o Kawenaokalā’īokalani Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko.

  • ANGEL 'AULANI BAGALAY

    BOARD MEMBER

    ‘Aulani Bagalay is the founder and kumu hula of Ka Hula o ‘Aulani. Since 2014, ‘Aulani has been dedicated to perpetuating the love for Hawaiian culture through hula. For 7 years, she volunteered her time as a hula instructor with a senior community nurturing a love for hula and Hawaiian culture. During her unwavering time with her kūpuna, Kumu ʻAulani was inspired to create Hula Hiehie O Nā Kūpuna - an event celebrating our kupuna (elders) dancing hula, that now celebrates itʻs 7th year in 2023. As part of the Papa Lāʻī graduating class, Kumu ʻAulani completed ʻuniki under Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett in 2022. She continues to perpetuate hula and carry on the legacy through her hālau hula, Ka Hula O ʻAulani, based in Orange County, California.

  • MARIANNE ʻAULANI MURPHY

    ʻAulani Murphy is an accomplished raʻatira and kakoʻo for San Diego Hula Academy. Dancing for over 20 years, ʻAulani recently received 3rd place as soloist in the Makuahine Division of George Naʻope Hula Festival. She has been a member of prior E Hula Mau competition teams and has been a professional dancers for years. ʻAulani has been with San Diego Hula Academy since itʻs inception in 2018 heading up the ʻOri Tahiti division. ʻAulani continues to perpetuate the traditions of hula and tahitian through dance, and hana noʻeau.

  • LEHUA FRANK KAWAIKAPUOKALANI HEWETT

    ADVISOR/LOEA HULA/HAKU MELE

    Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett affectionately known as Lehua, has over 50 years of dancing and teaching hula. Chosen to be trained as a protege by family members and renowned kumu hula including Eva Kanaʻe, Edith Kanakaʻole, ʻIolani Luahine, and Emma Defries.

    Lehua has composed over 100 (mele) songs and has been recognized multiple times for his contributions on several occasions by Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaiian Grammy), including the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2022 was named to the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

    Never ceasing to slow down, Lehua travels worldwide for his hula instruction, haku mele (song writing), teaching ʻolelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), and as a sought-after judge for hula competitions, including but certainly not limited to the Merrie Monarch Festival.

  • ULA HEWETT

    ADVISOR/KUMU HULA

    Kumu Ula Hewett comes from one of the most respected hula families, taught hula at a very young age by several family members including her father, Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Kumu Hula Mapuana Ringler and Kumu Hula Aloha Dalire. Competing for Miss Aloha Hula in Merrie Monarch Hula Festival 2022, Kumu Ula has been a fixture in the hula community ever since.

    Not only is she graceful as a dancer and kumu hula, but she is an acclaimed recording artist featured on many Hawaiian music albums. Luckily, Kumu Ula continues to teach worldwide nurturing the next generation hālau extending as far as California and Japan. Her dedication to perpetuating Hawaiian culture and the practices and traditions of hula are palpable from the moment you feel her aloha.

  • CAROL MAKANI WONG

    ADVISOR/KUMU HULU

    Kumu Hulu Carol Makani Wong is a master artisan specializing in fine art, pyrography on hard shell gourds, and cultural and creative arts. She studied under Kumu MaryLouise Kaleonahenahe Kekuewa, Kumu Paulette Nohealani Kahalepuna, Kumu Doreen Henderson, and Kumu Lokelani Reichert.

    Kumu Carol has created annual convention awards for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, donated the highly coveted hand-crafted awards of E Hula Mau Hula Competition in Long Beach, California, and as a member of the 1995 Hōkūleʻa Steering Company designed the logo for the welcoming of Hōkūleaʻa. Her award-winning skills are far reaching in Hawaiʻi and beyond having held workshops for Na Pua Noʻeau, University of Southern California, Long Beach Community College, Alondra Park Hoʻolaulea, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach Community College and local elementary schools.

    Kumu Carol continues to teach future generations of haumana in lei hulu and advance their love of this specialized artform.