Leo Kupa. E Ho'olono Mai!

In this special Season 2 finale, we gather our practitioners in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a live panel hosted by Mailani Makaʻīnaʻī at Da Hale Bar and Grill. Our practitioners share their manaʻo on topics ranging from Hawaiian healing practices and perpetuating our culture to educating ourselves on issues impacting Indigenous peoples across the globe. The evening concludes with a live Q&A, giving audience members the opportunity to ask questions, engage with our practitioners, and deepen the conversation. Mahalo to everyone who joined us for this special gathering and helped bring Season 2 of the Leo Kupa Podcast to a meaningful close! Panelists: Vincent Iokimo Souza, Melissa Pasadena, Chris Spotted Eagle, Tiffanie Zuttermeister, Healoha Kamanu This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving in Las Vegas — the place Hawaiians lovingly call the Ninth Island. Through intimate conversations with practitioners, elders, and community builders, we journey into what it means

Chris Spotted Eagle is the spiritual leader for the Las Vegas Paiute Nation, a role he carries with deep reverence and responsibility. Raised on the Paiute Reservation in Las Vegas and connected to the Moapa Band of Paiutes, Chris is a living bridge between ancestral tradition and the modern urban landscape of Nevada. His family legacy is woven into the very fabric of Las Vegas — his grandfather helped fabricate the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. As a song carrier and cultural steward, Chris brings an indigenous Nevada perspective that is both rare and essential to the conversation about preserving identity away from ancestral homelands. In this episode, Chris and Mailani share about their respective cultural practices, pulling similarities between Hawaiian and Paiute traditions. Chris speaks about the origin of his people to their ancestral lands and how he carries that responsibility as a leader of his community. This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving i

We are honored to feature Tiffanie Zuttermeister. A respected kumu hula, lei maker, and community minded guest whose work reflects the heart of Hawaiian Culture and connection in Las Vegas. Born and raised in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, she carries a long and deep hula lineage that informs her teaching, her presence, and her commitment to preserving tradition. As a kumu hula, Tiffanie brings the depth of that lineage to the ninth island, sharing hula as both cultural practice and the living expression. In this episode, Tiffanie and Mailani discuss Tiffanie’s journey to teaching hula and the kuleana that comes with it. She shares her gratitude for the continued support of her Kumu and reflects on the importance of lifelong learning, recognizing that every day brings a new opportunity to learn, grow, and deepen her practice as she leads her hālau from Las Vegas. This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving in Las Vegas — the place Hawaiians lovingly call the Ninth Island. Throug

Healoha Kamanu is not only a gifted Polynesian tattoo artist, but also a cultural custodian, utilizing the ancient art of tatau (tattooing) to tell stories, honor heritage, and mark significant life journeys for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities in Las Vegas. Their work goes beyond aesthetics, serving as a powerful medium for cultural expression and a reminder of identity in the diaspora, making them a profound voice for understanding how traditions are etched into modern lives. In this conversation, Mailani and Healoha reflect on Healoha’s beginnings in freehand art and her journey to Las Vegas. They discuss her path into mentorship and her vision for uplifting cultural arts through her studio, while continuing to seek ʻike (knowledge) by traveling throughout Polynesia. This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving in Las Vegas — the place Hawaiians lovingly call the Ninth Island. Through intimate conversations with practitioners, elders, and community b

Mikiʻala Wills is a young Hawaiian living in Las Vegas who carries the spirit of her homeland in everything she does. Far from the shores of Hawaiʻi, she speaks ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) fluently, dances hula with deep intentionality, and embraces traditional Hawaiian cultural practices as a form of natural healing — a way of staying rooted, whole, and connected to her identity while navigating life in the desert. For Mikiʻala, culture is not performance, it is medicine. Hula is prayer. Language is breath. Her story reflects the quiet, daily courage of a young Hawaiian woman choosing to live her culture fully, even thousands of miles from home. This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving in Las Vegas — the place Hawaiians lovingly call the Ninth Island. Through intimate conversations with practitioners, elders, and community builders, we journey into what it means to carry the sacred traditions of Hawaiʻi across the ocean and into the desert, keeping them

Kumu Hula Vincent Iokimo Souza is a revered teacher and guardian of Hawaiian cultural traditions. Kumu Vincent is a master of hula and an advocate for the preservation of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), carrying forth the legacy of his ancestors and ensuring its vibrancy in the modern world. His journey embodies the profound responsibility (kuleana) of perpetuating cultural knowledge, making him an ideal voice to discuss how Hawaiian identity thrives through spoken word, chant, and dance. In this conversation, Kumu Vincent shares about his hula lineage which he traces through his kumu, John Lake. He discusses the importance of understanding his kuleana as both a responsibility and a privilege - one he carries with honor as he perpetuates his kumu's teachings, now from Las Vegas where he has resided since 2008.  This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving in Las Vegas — the place Hawaiians lovingly call the Ninth Island. Through intimate conversations with pract

Mailani Makaʻīnaʻi was born and raised in Kailua and Kahaluʻu. A graduate of Maryknoll Schools. She began learning lomilomi in her ohana since the age of 7.  Her first lomilomi kumu outside of her ohana was Ronnie Dudoit of Molokai.  Mailani attended Uncle Ronnie and Aunty Francineʻs teaching in 1996 and 1997.  In 1999 she got to attend and study with Aunty Margaret Machadoʻs school of Lomilomi.  In 1999 and 2001 she worked at the Lomilomi shop with Uncle Moe Keale and Kumu Kaʻuhane Lee.  She got her massage therapy licensed in 2000.  From 2001 to 2012, Mailani worked as a Lomilomi specialist in Waikikiʻs Hotels Spa industry. She opened her own brick and mortar shop in 2016.  Mailani currently shares her passion of Hawaiian Healing and Hawaiian Culture with the Lomilomi Collective. This is the same Mailani Makaʻīnaʻi, the mother, lover, musician, entrepreneur, composer, vocalist and multiple time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner.  

Hui Mauli Ola proudly presents: Leo Kupa - E Hoʻolono Mai! Makaʻala Yates returns to Leo Kupa! Dr. Makaʻala Yates D.C. is a Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian Ancestry) who specializes in Hawaiian medicine. His studies began at the age of 6.  He has been teaching Hawaiian medicine and practices for 35 years.  He is the founder of Mana Lomi® and Indigenous Botanicals.  Makaʻala is also an original crew member of Hokuleʻa in 1976.  He is also a Vietnam Veteran.  Maka’ala received the Kaonohi Award in 2005 for his excellence in Hawaiian medicine and community support. He is the author of "Na'auao Ola Hawaii: Hawaiian Practices and Principles of Being Well."

Born and raised on the Windward side of Oʻahu, Meghan graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science. Her health practitioner training continued with lomilomi work since 2007 studying under Kumu Lomilomi, Enrick Ortiz, Jr., as his apprentice in January 2013, and as assistant in teaching his classes since May 2014. In 2008 she went through Haku Hoʻoponopono training with Aunty Malia Craver and Lehua Pouha at QLCC in Kalihi, and trained in Lāʻau Lapaʻau with Kahuna Lāʻau Lapaʻau Levon Ohai starting in 2009. Her graduation from Hawaiʻinuiākea, Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa, with her MA in December 2015 in ʻIke Hawaiʻi with a thesis on historical trauma and itʻs health repercussions, bodily, spiritually, governmentally for Kānaka Hawaiʻi also informs her birthwork supporting her community’s growing families with training from New Beginnings Doula Training, and ʻEhuola – Ka Lāhui o Ka Pō's practitioner training through Kōkua Kalihi Valley’s Hoʻoulu ʻĀina program

Hui Mauli Ola proudly presents: Leo Kupa - E Hoʻolono Mai! Dr. Makaʻala Yates D.C. is a Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian Ancestry) who specializes in Hawaiian medicine. His studies began at the age of 6.  He has been teaching Hawaiian medicine and practices for 35 years.  He is the founder of Mana Lomi® and Indigenous Botanicals.  Makaʻala is also an original crew member of Hokuleʻa in 1976.  He is also a Vietnam Veteran.  Maka’ala received the Kaonohi Award in 2005 for his excellence in Hawaiian medicine and community support. He is the author of "Na'auao Ola Hawaii: Hawaiian Practices and Principles of Being Well."

Kaipoʻi Kelling is a Hawaiian educator and mahi kalo (kalo farmer) carrying on Uncle Jerry Konanuiʻs teachings. Born on Oʻahu, Kaipoʻi loves to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and is a collector of different kalo varieties. Kaipo'i returns to Leo Kupa, talking lessons of character from Hāloa, healing and sacred spaces, and keeping our keiki inspired and not being the "poi-lice."   Hui Mauli Ola proudly presents: Leo Kupa - E Hoʻolono Mai!  The thought provoking podcast on perpetuating Hawaiian Healing and Wellness, brought to you by: Financial Benefits Insurance specializing in Medicare, Life and Health Insurance. Helping to educate our communities to maximize their benefits. Benefits are our business, service sets us apart. Visit Financial Benefits Insurance at fbihi.com The Indigenous Soap Company  Created on the Island of ‘Oahu, the indigenous comes from our passion in using native medicinal herbs and oils from all over the world. Shop online and use the coupon code: leokupa for a 20% discount. Alana natural therapy 

Uncle Herbert Grew up in the ahupuaa of Hakipuu, from a young age the importance of ohana and ʻāina was integrated in daily living. After retiring from the Honolulu Fire Department, Uncle Herbert recognized the health disparities amongst our Native Hawaiian people. His Ai Pono program aims to reestablish the connection of our traditional foods and our traditional well-being. Anakala Herbert was featured in the series: Na Loea: The Masters: Food for the soul. He is a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and kupuna.   Hui Mauli Ola proudly presents: Leo Kupa. e hoolono mai. The thought provoking podcast on perpetuating Hawaiian Healing and Wellness, brought to you by: Financial Benefits Insurance specializing in Medicare, Life and Health Insurance. Helping to educate our communities to maximize their benefits. Benefits are our business, service sets us apart. Visit Financial Benefits Insurance at fbihi.com The Indigenous Soap Company  Created on the Island of ‘Oahu, the indigenous come

Dennis was born and raised on the west end of Kauai in the rural plantation town of Kekaha.  This provided him with a rich multicultural environment of living and learning respect and appreciation for his own cultural background as well as for other ethnic groups with in his community. His foundational spiritual teachings in both christian and traditional Hawaiian culture, language and 'ohana were provided by his parents, Herbert Ha'o Kauahi and Christobel Ka'anohiokalani Holt Kauahi. He graduated from Waimea High School in 1963 and furthered his education at Willamette University, attaining a Bachelors degree in Sociology in 1967.  He attended the University of Hawaii School of Social Work and graduated with a Master's in Social Work degree in 1970.  Since then until his retirement in 2012, Dennis has work with the Queen Lilioukalani Children's Center providing culturally based Social Work based healing practices to a wide range of communities He has received mentor-ship on Hawaiian healing cultural knowle