Island Breeze Productions

09/03/2024

September 15th at the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo 🐚

✨A tribute to music, hula and the various Polynesian cultures that make our home so special. Hosted in the legendary CROWN Room with a special Hō’ike style lūʻau show, telling stories of Polynesia, Hawai’i Island and Hilo town.✨

Reserve your seats at NaniLoaLuau.com or call (808) 326-4969 🌺

09/03/2024

08/06/2024

Don’t miss out on this unique lū’au experience at the on August 18th featuring Hula and Mele by ✨

Book now at NaniLoaLuau.com or call (808) 326-4969 🤙🏽

04/09/2024

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Grand Naniloa Hotel’s Pāwehi Hō’ike! A unique lū’au experience enjoying an evening of song and hula telling the mo’olelo (stories) of Hilo. Featuring Hālau Ka Lehua Pua Kamaehu.

Pāwehi Hō’ike will run every 3rd Sunday from June-December, 2024

For more info and to purchase tickets head to EventsByIslandBreeze.com/GrandNaniloa

04/02/2024

02/28/2024

Benson Kam | Musician/Vocalist
Learned ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i at Ke Kulanui ʻo Hawaiʻi ma Hilo

The ʻōlelo noʻeau Iʻve chosen to highlight is “Mahalo i ka mea loaʻa” or “Be grateful for what you have.” It is a saying that applies to everyone of all stages and walks of life and it is something I strive for daily!

02/27/2024

Sheena Wong | Reservations & Guest Services Manager

“Uē ka lani, ola ka honua.”
When Heaven weeps, the earth lives.

I started the process of learning the Hawaiian language back in 2008 when the desire to learn the language started to stir in me. In 2010 I joined the Hāleo Hawaiian Language program. I graduated from the program in 2021 and had the opportunity to learn under Papa Pānui (a Mānaleo speaker), Kumu Namahana Kalama-Panui, and Kumu Leināʻala Fruean. Today I help steward a Hawaiian language through various cultural programs for the community. I have four children go to Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino, two have graduated. My husband is currently in the Hāleo language program and volunteers to teach Hawaiian language to new beginners.

02/26/2024

Alika Wilhelm-Kuamoo | Kane Dancer
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 17 years
•Learned at Ke kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu

ʻO ka hoʻōla ʻōlelo he kākoʻo i ka hoʻōla lāhui

02/22/2024

Shaile Kahelelani Wong | Greeter
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 19 years
•Learned at Ke Kula ʻO Ehunuikaimalino

Wahi a nā kupuna “I ka nana no a ‘Ike” o ia ho’i e pa’a ka waha, ho’olohe pono, a e nana pono i hiki ke ‘Ike a e a’o i na mea like ‘ole ma na hanana a pau.

According to our kupuna, “By observing, one learns.” When you stay quiet and just listen, observing your surroundings with an open mind, you will learn all that you wanted to know and even more.

02/19/2024

Mikala Masina-Hadley | Wahine Dancer
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 22 years
•Learned at Pūnana Leo & Kaiapuni Schools

“E lawe i ke aʻo a mālama, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao”
This ʻōlelo noʻeau means those who take their teachings and applies them, increases their knowledge. I had the privilege of learning Hawaiian at a very young age. Being immersed in the language also brought understanding of the culture and values of Hawaiʻi. I didnʻt realize until I was a bit older, what a gift it was to be raised in such an environment. I realized how rich the language was and how it really helped to guide me in the decisions I made and how I treated others. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is truly a gift. I have felt a sense of responsibility on my shoulder to use that gift in my day-to-day and teach it to the next generation.

“Pūpūkahi i holomua”
This ʻōlelo noʻeau means, unite in order to progress. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi will not perpetuate itself. We need to work together to keep this language and culture alive. Support one another and always be willing to learn. The knowledge doesnʻt ever stop so be kind to one another, support each other and be a life long learner.

“Aʻa i ka hula, a waiho ka hilahila ma ka hale”
This ʻōlelo noʻeauʻs literal translation is to join the dance and leave your shame at home. It is able to be applied to many different scenarios, one of them being ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Learning a new language is a daunting tasks, even sometimes I am ashamed to make mistakes. Learning ʻōlelo will require you to not allow your shame or insecurities get in the way of your learning and perpetuation of the language. Making mistakes and not knowing everything is part of the journey, even after 22 years of speaking.

02/16/2024

Coleman Kā’opua | Emcee
Language is as important to any people as the blood flowing through their veins. There is no people, nation or culture without it. Learning ōlelo hawai’i has to be something you are ready to do and you cannot do it for selfish reasons. If you do it just to impress others, you can accomplish the goal, but there won’t be any mana in your ‘ōlelo.

02/15/2024

Leinā’ala Kekūhaupiʻo-Fruean | Executive Director of Sales
“Oni kalalea ke kū a ka lāʻau loa”
The tall tree stand and projects prominently

I began my journey in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in 1997 and later became a Kumu at Pūnana Leo ʻo Waimea in 2000. I continued my journey in learning ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at University of Hawaiʻi at Ka Haka Ula O Keʻelikōlani in 2000. I also learned ʻŌlelo makuahine from my late hānai father Kalikolehua Panui as a Mānaleo speaker in Keʻei, Hawaiʻi. I currently serve under my Kumu Hula Namahana Kalama-Panui and continue to be a student for life. 

PC:

02/13/2024

Loa Haleamau | Photography
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 23 years
•Learned from my Makuahine and later went into Ke Kula ‘O ‘Ehunuikainalino

Hawaiian has played a major part in my life. It started with my grandparents during a time when they could not speak ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and so they saw the opportunity for their grandchildren to learn what they couldn’t. With that being said, I now carry the kuleana (responsibility) to perpetuate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and carry it in for future generations.

02/12/2024

Ku’uhiapo Jeong | Kane Dancer
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 19 years
•Learned at ʻAha Pūnana Leo O Hilo & Ke Kula O Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu

Inā he ʻiʻini kāu e aʻo i ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, mai hopohopo i ka hemahema o ka ʻōlelo. ʻO ka mea koʻikoʻi ka luʻu mua ʻana iho me ka hoʻomau pauaho ʻole ʻana aku ma ka ʻimi ʻana i ka naʻauao. He mea nui pū ka hoʻolau kanaka ʻana me nā kānaka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi ʻē aʻe i mea e maʻa, paʻa, a laʻa nō ke ālelo i ka ʻōlelo. Pēlā nō e aʻo ai a paʻa ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi iā ʻoe.

If you have a desire to learn Hawaiian, go ahead and dive right in! Don’t worry about making mistakes, because they are a natural part of the learning process. The most important thing is to stay consistent and dedicated in your efforts. To achieve fluency in the language, it’s essential that you immerse yourself in the language and surround yourself with people who can speak Hawaiian. With this approach, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Hawaiian in no time!

02/08/2024

Ka’ea Alapai | Wahine Dancer
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 22 years
•Learned from my Makuahine as a child. Hawaiian is my first language.

It is important for me to perpetuate ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i because it is not only the language of our home but it is also what makes Hawai‘i so unique. There was a point in our history when our people were punished for speaking our native language, a few of my family members were some of those people punished, and because of them, I carry that responsibility to make sure that it doesn’t happen to our people again.

02/06/2024

Kūpa’a Fernandez | Props
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 19 years
•Learned at Pūnana Leo ʻO Waimea & Ke Kula ʻO Ehunuikaimalino

Learning the Hawaiian language and immersing myself in the vibrant Hawaiian culture instilled in me profound values. It taught me the essence of respect, cultivating a spirit of being a servant leader, and embracing the richness of diverse cultures. This transformative experience fostered a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of people and their traditions. Learning the Hawaiian language gives you a sense of connectedness to the ʻāina (land) and the people who call it home. I was also taught so many valuable lessons through Immersion schooling and gained insight on how to live a pono (good) life and spread aloha. I went to boarding school at the age of 15 and experienced quite the culture shock. The lack of aloha and compassion for others was something I disliked. But due to my upbringing and Hawaiian schooling I was able to bring the spirit of aloha to any place or group I was in. Learning ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is not just a language, it involves learning the culture and history and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to learn.

02/01/2024

Kaleo Perry | Musican/Vocalist
•Speaking ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i for 16 years
•Learned at University of Hawai’i Hilo
“ʻO ka ʻōlelo, ʻo ia kekahi mahele o ke kumu honua maoli ola. Ua like ka ʻōlelo me ka pīkoʻu o ke kanaka. Inā ʻaʻohe ʻōlelo, ʻaʻohe moʻomeheu, ʻaʻohe kanaka. Ua komo au i kēia alahele no kekahi kumu ʻo ka hoʻomau ʻana i ka ʻōlelo makuahine ma ke aʻo ʻana aku i nā kamaliʻi o Hawaiʻi nei. No kākou a pau ke kuleana ʻo ka hoʻōla ʻana i ka ʻike o nā kūpuna. Noʻu ponoʻī inā ʻanʻole au ʻauamo i kēia kuleana nui, na wai lā?”

12/24/2023

Sending you all our aloha this Christmas! Hoping your holiday season has been Merry and Bright ✨

12/22/2023

Spend your holidays at one of our Festive Lu’aus! With an enhanced menu and special holiday touches, you’ll be sure to create unforgettable memories with your ‘Ohana.🎄🎁🎅🏽

10/16/2023

Ironman 2023 in the books! 🎉
Congrats to all the amazing Wahine athletes. We look forward to seeing the Kane next year!

10/15/2023

Congratulations Lucy Charles-Barclay! Our drummers, torch runners and greeters welcoming the champion through the finish line!

08/11/2023

Our hearts and prayers go out to our Maui ‘Ohana as they deal with the repercussions of the recent fire that took homes, businesses, and lives.

For our next 3 lū’au nights (Thursday, Saturday & Sunday) all our photo sales will be matched by Island Breeze Productions and donated to get essential items for ‘ohana affected by these devastating fires.

Aloha ʻia nō ʻo Maui, nā hono aʻo Piʻilani – How we love Maui our Beloved land of Chief Piʻilani.

06/11/2023

Sending a huge shoutout to our Siva Afi warriors competing in the Le Kaua Ailao Fireknife Competition! Sending you all our aloha as you prepare to light up the stage tonight! Tune in live at HiKuauli.com

05/29/2023

We remember and will never forget the many who sacrificed their lives for us🇺🇸

05/26/2023

Hoʻomaikaʻi ʻana our 2023 graduates! Sending our aloha to Anja Henriquez, Judson Veisauyadra, and Katelyne Maltezo-Suzuki who are all graduating from High School. Mahalo for all your hard work! Love, your Island Breeze Productions 'Ohana!

05/02/2023

05/01/2023

Hau’oli Lā Mei! May Day is lei day in Hawai’i 🌺

04/28/2023

04/19/2023

One of our employees, Anja Henriques, doing big things! 🤙🏽

Next stop for three girls from the Big Island, NASA: https://bit.ly/3ULAgZk