Michael Yamashita studied hula with Kumu Palani Kahala at Iolani High School then hula and chant with Kauʻi Zuttemeister and Noenoe Zuttemeister. Michael danced with Nā Wai 'Ehā O Puna for many years under O'Brien Eselu and Thaddeus Wilson.

In 1985, Michael and his hula brother Nathan Dudoit were granted permission to teach and choreograph by Kumu O'Brien Eselu who also named the hālau Kaiāulu.

Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō; formerly known as Kaipo Frias, spent his formative years with his grandparents in Kaʻalaea, Oʻahu. He began dancing at the age of eight years-old for family and community functions, trained by family and community members in informal settings. His formal hula training was with Hālau O Kekuhi, where he danced for twenty-six years until receiving his ʻuniki rite as a Kumu Hula.

Dr. Kalena Silva was granted the title of kumu hula after receiving the ʻuniki rite with Kumu Hula Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake in 1976. He continued his formal academic education, receiving his B.A. in Anthropology and his PhD. in Ethnomusicology. Kalena is a professor and past director of the Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Hālau O Kekuhi of Hilo, Hawai'i is a traditional classical dance company that can account for seven generations of family practitioners and leadership in the indigenous Hawaiian performing arts of hula (dance) and oli (chant). The foundation of Hālau O Kekuhi is on Hawai`i island where the hula is inextricably linked to the Puna and Ka'ū districts which in turn are most closely tied to the volcanoes that continue to spew lava and grow the island.

Rudy Silva focuses on hula 'auana and holds class at his home in Pana'ewa, Hilo, Hawai'i. When he's not teaching hula, he plays the 'ukulele in a Hawaiian musical group that includes the legendary falsetto singer Lanakila Manini and Ho'o Apo. The group travels and performs with Hālau O Ka Ua Kanilehua under the direction of Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho.

Pomaika`i Gaui became interested in hula when he was nominated court chanter for the 'Ilima Intemediate School May Day celebration at the age of 12. He founded Kēhaulani Hula Studio of Salt Lake City, Utah and Santa Rosa, California after he completed `unuki rites with Kumu Hula Palani Kahala in the 1990's. The hula studio is designed to be a place of resource and learning; of hula, Hawaiian language, history, crafts and culture.

To watch video of Liko Puha dancing hula with Keoki Kahumoku playing Ulupalakua, click on the left arrow on the Quicktime screen.