Luana Kawelu was honored on Kamehameha Day at the Kamehameha Festival, which takes place every year on Mokuola, also known as Coconut Island.
She was recognized for her lifetime contributions to the Hawaiian community.
Kawelu was bestowed with the Mamalahoa Award by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Mamalahoa. The award is the highest and most distinguished award bestowed by the Order of Kamehameha and is presented to individuals who exemplify the mission of the order — that is, to protect, preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture, advocate for Hawaiian rights and benefits, and uplift the Hawaiian people.
Kawelu is best known for her dedicated work with the Merrie Monarch Festival. She continues the legacy of her mother, Dorthy (Dottie) Thompson, who ran the festival as a volunteer since 1968.
Kawelu assumed the reigns of the festival with the passing of her mother in 2010 and never looked back. Today, the festival is the most prestigious hula competition in Hawaii and the world and is often referred to at the Olympics of Hula.
Kawelu is proud yet humbled to have played a part in the perpetuation of the hula over the years and continues to do so, like her mother, as a volunteer.
However, as much as Kawelu loves hula, her greatest joy came from working with and helping children. As a longtime member of the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, she found happiness and satisfaction working with children and youth from the Native Hawaiian community in Keaukaha.
For more information on the Kamehameha Festival or the Royal Order of Kamehameha please, visit KamehamehaFestival.org and Mamalahoa.org.