Hawaii Land Trust has named Hilo native Ulumauahi “Ulu” Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani as the first steward and educator for Kukuau Forest on Hawaii Island.
Kukuau Forest is a 1,600 acre section of the Hilo Forest Reserve, donated to Hawaii Land Trust in 2019, and known for its koa and ‘ohi‘a trees.
As steward and education, Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani will focus on forest restoration, outreach and overall strategic planning.
Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani was born and raised in the Hawaiian homesteads of Keaukaha and Pana‘ewa, where his family has lived for five generations. He earned his bachelor’s degree in geography with an emphasis on environmental studies and a minor in anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani also has been a student of hula ‘olapa with Halau o Kekuhi for roughly three decades.
Over the last several years, Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani elevated to papa pa‘ie‘ie alaka‘i, a hula position that requires specific knowledge regarding the forest, ocean and gathering regulations.
Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani is also a presenter with Papaku Makawalu Papahulihonua, where he shares stories, covers facts about the forest from a Hawaiian scientific perspective and performs oli. He also has a long association with the Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation.