Our Inspiration
Kawehionāpua Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to perpetuating, preserving, and stewarding the Native Hawaiian genealogical wisdom passed down through revered Kumu Hula Mae Ulalia Long Loebenstein. Kawehionāpua Foundation strives to educate and empower all those committed to uplifting Hawaiʻi and Native Hawaiian communities through the traditional practices of hula, oli, and other native Hawaiian traditions.
Kumu Hula Mae Ulalia Long Loebenstein was born in Waiʻehu, Maui, to Henry Long and Ida Pakulani Kaʻaihue Kaʻianui. Her hula journey began at a very young age. Her mother, who learned from hula master Kamawae, was her first hula teacher. In 1991, Aunty Mae founded her own hālau hula, Ka Pā Hula O Kauanoe O Waʻahila. Aunty Mae shared,
"The most precious gift my mother gave me through hula was a sense of discipline.Discipline develops assurance and confidence. Mama taught us hula as a way to know our culture and heritage."
Kawehionāpua Foundation supports the legacy of Aunty Mae through hula, ʻāina stewardship, and cultural-based learning initiatives.
Our Namesake
Kawehionāpua Loebenstein is the namesake of the Kawehionāpua Foundation. "Kawehi" was the daughter of Albert Loebenstein and Mae Ulalia Long Loebenstein and the mother of Kumu Hula Maelia Loebenstein Carter.
She was a travel industry professional who cared for and fostered many children. She believed that every child was a precious gift that should be cherished and loved. She was an avid reader and staunch advocate for literacy.
Kawehionāpua Foundation carries on the work of Aunty Kawehi by providing literacy initiatives and merit-based scholarships for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth in Hawaiʻi.
Our Values
Aloha ʻĀina
We are committed to the responsible stewardship of our land and natural resources. Hula is intrinsically tied to the natural environment. Thus, as hula practitioners, we have the privilege and responsibility of caring for our ʻāina.
Aloha Kaiaulu
We strive to uplift and support our community by providing higher education scholarships to hula practitioners and graduates of high schools in the Kaimukī/Waiʻalae community. We work to promote literacy amongst Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaiʻi.
Aloha Hoʻoilina
We honor the legacy of our ancestors and keepers of our heritage by carrying on the hula tradition and Native Hawaiian customary practices passed down through Kumu Hula Mae Ulalia Long Loebenstein from her kūpuna.