O Moana Akana ko'u inoa. My mo'opuna, Nahoa, is indeed very happy to be a part of your halau, Ke Kula Mele. Nahoa is very shy and lacks self confidence. Always loved music, especially, Hawaiian music and playing the ukulele. What has these sessions done for Nahoa?
A lot, because he now sings and plays with confidence. Also, learning 'olelo Hawai'i through music is so crucial to the survival of our Kanaka Maoli. I highly recommend taking ukulele lessons and all lessons from you.

Mahalo Ke Akua,

Moana
Grandparent of student

Alan Akaka (Director) received his BEd in music and MEd in administration. Alan began his music career in high school and enjoys a successful career in music and education with a long stint at the Halekulani and Waikiki Beach Marriott and Spa. He taught at Kahuku High & Intermediate, University Lab School and the Kamehameha Schools and was the director of the Performing Arts Academy at Kamehameha and president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association. He established the Na ‘Opio Singers and Ensemble program at the Kamehameha Middle School and is a master traditional artist in the Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Alan made numerous appearances in television and radio including KGMB's "Island Music Island Hearts", KHON's Morning News, Hawai News Now, PBS’ "Hawaiian Treasures", ‘OLELO Channel’s “Ho‘oulu Lahui Aloha”, KSSK's "Perry and Price Show", Hawaiian 105 KINE, AM940's "Na ‘Oiwi ‘Olino", TV specials for Japan as well as Japan Airline's in-flight program. He was asked to speak on music and education for the Hawaii Music Educators Association, the Hawaii Association of Teachers of Japanese, and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association.

Michiko Akaka (Co-Director) is a medical doctor in internal and integrative medicine, with a focus in wellness and the human brain. As a general practitioner she wanted to find the key for better health. She owned and operated the Medical Clinic in her hometown of Nagoya, Japan for 10 years and relocated to Hawai‘i to spend her life together with Alan. Michiko has a deep passion for music and has done research on the effects of music on learning, memory, and wellness. Studies show that musicians and singers are more likely to carry a positive attitude and display confidence on and off the stage. Michiko has played the keyboard in a band in Japan, participated in Hawaiian concerts dancing the hula and studied ‘ukulele. One of her hobbies is playing Hawaiian slack key on her guitar. Michiko co-created Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i program as a viable way to engage people in music and to make music an everyday part of their lives, their family's lives, and her own life.

Gale Warshawsky earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts Drama from San Jose State University, a M.S. in Computer Information Systems from Golden Gate University, and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Gale is retired from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where she was the Coordinator for the Computer Security Training, Education, and Awareness Program. She wrote policy documents, built and maintained a Computer Security Awareness Website, and taught Information Security courses. Gale is a published author of Creative Puppetry for Jewish Kids, © 1985. Gale and her husband Arnie relocated to Oahu in 1999. She has served as part time faculty at the University of Phoenix, College of Education. Gale is a member of the Rotary Club of Waikiki, and serves as that club’s Literacy Chair. Gale has been a Ke Kula Mele student since Dec. of 2009 and loves to play her ukulele and sing.