Naomi Noelanioko‘olau Losch was born and raised in Kahuku, O‘ahu, and is a 1963 graduate of Kamehameha Schools. While in high school, she was enrolled in a vocational program called Bishop Museum Workshop, taught by Dr. Donald D. Kilolani Mitchell. The museum was their classroom, and it was there that she would form a close bond with Pat Nāmaka Bacon, which led to her meeting Nāmaka’s mother, Mary Kawena Pukui. Both women would be major influences in her life. As a kumu to many and a respected scholar, Kumu Noe has dedicated 40 years of her life to teaching Hawaiian language and culture in the University of Hawai‘i system and has generously volunteered and offered her expertise by serving on countless Hawaiian-focused boards, charities, and projects to promote the well-being of our lāhui.

When one thinks about the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean and where it touches, the ice-cold shores of Alaska may not be the first place that comes to mind! However, in 1990, efforts to construct a canoe out of traditional materials brought Alaska and Hawai‘i together as Hawai‘i’s forests did not have koa logs big enough to be carved into a double-hull sailing canoe. Learn more about the unique relationship between Alaska and Hawai‘i and the work we are doing together for Moananuiākea.

Kūlana Kanaka is a video talk-story that invites guests to speak about our roles and responsibilities as kanaka ʻōiwi to ourselves, our ʻohana, our kaiāulu, and our lāhui. In this episode, kumu hula Snowbird Bento talks story with Kumu Hina about the importance of ceremony and protocol in our lives as kanaka ‘ōiwi, and the spread of knowledge and practices relating to ceremony alongside aloha ʻāina movements in recent years.