From the black sandy shores of Hilo One to the lush forest of ʻŌlaʻa, ʻEhā Kiyuna was born of this Puna forest and raised along these Hilo shores here on the island of Hawaiʻi. Graduating from Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu in 2024, he is currently working toward getting his bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, at the College of Hawaiian Language — Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani. Alongside his studies, ʻEhā continues to paddle with Keaukaha Canoe Club, strengthening his connection to both the ocean and his community. BTW…His slipper size is also 12.5, but at the moment he is wearing a size 11 slipper. 

A proud alum of Ka ʻŪmeke Kāʻeo, Hulali Puʻuohau - Cabanilla has moved on to higher academia pursuing her interests in aquaculture at the College of Agriculture at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She’s already got a headstart in terms of experience in the pursuit of her bachelor's degree as she’s been an intern with Hui Hoʻoleimaluō since she was in high school working in and out of the loko iʻa at Kaumaui and at Waiuli. Her passions are reflective in her creative and artistic skills along with her humility. Rain or shine, she’s right there at the loko iʻa putting in the work to make our community more sustainable by restoring our coastal areas – just as the Hui’s vision states – “Thriving Communities through Thriving Ecosystems.”

Born of the Oʻahualua winds and raised in the cold Kīpuʻupuʻu rain of Waimea and the nurturing Kanilehua rain of Hilo, Puaʻena Estocado began her journey in fishpond research as a sophomore at Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo and has continued her work becoming an intern with Hui Hoʻoleimaluō. From her initial project looking at growth rates of puaʻama in enclosed environments, Puaʻena has continued her interests in research and loko iʻa and now attends the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo studying Marine Science. As her academic journey continues, she intends to graduate and become a Kiaʻi Loko creating curriculum for educational programming and continue to study puaʻama.

Samuel Kamakau IV began visiting Kaumaui in 11th grade as a haumāna of Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo during the same time that the property was acquired by Hui Hoʻoleimaluō. After graduating, he continued to serve his community by maintaining his pilina with Kaumaui. Now a third-year student at UH Hilo majoring in Hawaiian Studies and Education, he continues his work with Kaumaui in both administrative roles while researching wahipana, hands on maintenance and mālama ʻāina work.