Makanani Salā

Makanani Salā was born and raised in Hālawa, Oʻahu and spent her childhood studying hula. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is currently ABD in history at the University of California, Irvine. She has spent the last 10 years in the education field at both the secondary and tertiary levels teaching Hawaiian language, mythology, hula, and the history of Hawaiʻi. Salā is also a Kumu Hula, having undergone traditional ʻūniki ʻailolo rites in 2016. She has traveled the world as a soloist and choreographer for several productions and student tours. Currently, Salā serves as the executive director of the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts for the city and county of Honolulu, where her office oversees art in city buildings, sister cities and international relations, cultural affairs, and special events.