Thomas Kamuela Chun was born and raised in Honolulu. In 1975, he moved to Hilo to attend Hilo College, now the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where he met Edith Kanakaʻole who was teaching there at the time. He studied both hula and oli in Hālau o Kekuhi with Aunty Edith until her passing in 1979. He continued under Aunty Edith’s daughters, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele and Nālani Kanakaʻole. In 1984, Kamuela became the first to ʻūniki (graduate) from Hālau o Kekuhi as a kumu hula (hula teacher). He has traveled and performed extensively with the hālau and now teaches hula, conducting workshops in Hawaiʻi and Japan.

Kamuela is also a renowned chanter. For many years, he was the chanter for the Merrie Monarch’s Royal Court. Since the 1990s, Kamuela has been teaching oli (chant) and providing protocol for special events such as the homecoming of Hōkūleʻa (re-created historic voyages by double-hulled canoe), the opening of the Prince Lot Hula Festival as well as the first known public performance of the Kumulipo (Hawaiian creation story) in its entirety in both the 20th and 21st centuries.

Pre-registration highly recommended since space is limited.

To facilitate registration, please fill in the form below and return as soon as possible. Mahalo nui!

PRE-REGISTRATION FEES (PAYMENT RECEIVED BY 3/20):
$30 for chant
$30 for hula
$55 for both

Please send your pre-registration form and check payable to: Halawai, PO Box 250189, New York, NY 10025-9991

On-site registration fees:
$35 for chant
$35 for hula
$60 for both

>> Download the registration form <<

Thomas Kamuela Chun was born and raised in Honolulu. In 1975, he moved to Hilo to attend Hilo College, now the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where he met Edith Kanakaʻole who was teaching there at the time. He studied both hula and oli in Hālau o Kekuhi with Aunty Edith until her passing in 1979. He continued under Aunty Edith’s daughters, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele and Nālani Kanakaʻole. In 1984, Kamuela became the first to ʻūniki (graduate) from Hālau o Kekuhi as a kumu hula (hula teacher). He has traveled and performed extensively with the hālau and now teaches hula, conducting workshops in Hawaiʻi and Japan.

Kamuela is also a renowned chanter. For many years, he was the chanter for the Merrie Monarch’s Royal Court. Since the 1990s, Kamuela has been teaching oli (chant) and providing protocol for special events such as the homecoming of Hōkūleʻa (re-created historic voyages by double-hulled canoe), the opening of the Prince Lot Hula Festival as well as the first known public performance of the Kumulipo (Hawaiian creation story) in its entirety in both the 20th and 21st centuries.

Pre-registration highly recommended since space is limited.

To facilitate registration, please fill in the form below and return as soon as possible. Mahalo nui!

PRE-REGISTRATION FEES (PAYMENT RECEIVED BY 3/20):
$30 for chant
$30 for hula
$55 for both

Please send your pre-registration form and check payable to: Halawai, PO Box 250189, New York, NY 10025-9991

On-site registration fees:
$35 for chant
$35 for hula
$60 for both

>> Download the registration form <<