Student Spotlight: Kellie Kaleilehua Dinwiddie Kalā

Hawaiinuiakea is committed to educating the next generation of leaders, some of whom we’re featuring in this series on haumana of the School of Hawaiian Knowledge. To support our students please attend Hoohalialia on October 7.

1. Where are you from?

I’m from the ahupuaʻa of Kapālama, Kona, Oʻahu.

2. Tell us about your academic studies and how you became interested in that subject

I’m currently enrolled in the Hawaiian Studies department at UH Mānoa, where I’m examining the relationship between a particular Hawaiian honeycreeper and the construction of mele. In order to accomplish this, I am deconstructing and reconstructing mele. I first became interested in this topic in 2010 when I went to Hakalau with KCC’s Ecology club. I’d kept this topic close to me for a long time, and was finally able to begin researching it further last year.

3. What would you like to do with your training?

I’d like to continue to work for our lāhui. I want to become a teacher so I can ensure that our ʻike is passed on to our keiki, our moʻopuna, etc.