Beloved kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao-Jardin of award-winning Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, of Kauai, died over the weekend. She was 51.
Pavao-Jardin had been battling cancer after being diagnosed in the summer of 2024. A special prayer and gathering was held to honor her life on Sunday evening at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Despite battling cancer, Pavao-Jardin brought wahine and kane dancers to the Merrie Monarch competition in Hilo in April as well a solo dancer for Miss Aloha Hula. Her niece, 23-year-old Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao, won the title of Miss Aloha Hula.
Pavao-Jardin shared her story of the cancer diagnosis with Hawaii News Now prior to the Merrie Monarch Festival competition in April.
The Kauai halau was also the overall winner of the 59th Merrie Monarch Festival in 2022, taking first place in both the wahine auana and kahiko divisions.
The news of Pavao- Jardin’s death resulted in an outpouring of love from throughout the Hawaiian Islands and beyond, as people remembered her strength, beauty, and grace.
“On behalf of the people of Kauai and Niihau we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao-Jardin, a cherished daughter of our island whose profound aloha, artistry, and unwavering dedication to hula enriched our community and elevated the cultural spirit of Hawaii,” said Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami in a statement on Sunday. “As the heart and soul of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, she nurtured generations of dancers with grace, discipline, and deep cultural knowledge, ensuring the traditions of our kupuna lived on with pride and authenticity.”
He continued with, “Her presence was a light in our lives, and her legacy will forever be etched in the rhythm of our mele and the sway of our hula. We mourn her loss, celebrate her life, and honor the immeasurable impact she leaves behind. Kumu Leina‘ala will be deeply missed.”
Musician Kalani Pe‘a posted Saturday to Instagram that his heart ached at the news, after having just spent time with Pavao- Jardin at the Keiki Hula Competition in July.
“Your legacy is your keiki,” he wrote. “Your legacy is your halau and the communities you’ve impacted throughout Hawaii and the world. Your legacy lives on.”
Radio personality Mele Apana wrote that her heart was “shattered and devastated” at the loss of her childhood friend.
“I will miss you forever,” she wrote on Facebook. “I will miss you forever. I know your are dancing with Jesus sis and you will be our angel. I will cherish our memories together since we were Keiki forever.”
Born and raised on Kauai, Pavao-Jardin touched many lives through her mele, hula, and teachings with patience and compassion. She was a student of late kumu hula Rae Fonseca, who himself was a student of hula master Uncle George Na‘ope.