N. KAʻIAKO TAGAB-CRUZ
Program Coordinator, Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Manono Campus 380-34
(808) 934-2616
tagab@hawaii.edu
BA 2007, University of California, Santa Cruz
MA 2017, Union Institute and University
N. Kaʻiako Tagab-Cruz is an Instructor and the Coordinator of I Ola Hāloa - Hawai`i Life Styles program. She holds a B.A. in Community Studies and a M.A. in Leadership, Public Policy, and Social Issues with a focus on Native Hawaiian Leadership. Kaʻiako is an ʻūniki ʻailolo graduate of Hālau o Lilinoe and Unukupukupu.
DR. TAUPŌURI TANGARŌ
Director of Hawaiian Culture and Protocols Engagement
Professor of Hawaiian Studies
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Manono Campus 389B-103
(808) 934-2575
taupouri@hawaii.edu
BA 1992, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
MEd 1995, Heritage College, Washington
PhD 2004, Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio
BOR Excellence in Teaching Award, 2009
Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, 2009
Native Hawaiian Education Association Educator of the Year, 2013
Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō is a professor of Hawaiian Studies at Hawaiʻi Community College, and serves as the Director of Hawaiian Culture and Protocols Engagement, with direct report to HawCC and UHH chancellors, respectively. He holds a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies, an M.A.Ed. in Professional Development, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is an ʻūniki ʻailolo graduate of Hālau O Kekuhi, and positions hula as the anchor for building capacity in indigenous leadership through academia.
ERIK KALANI FLORES
Professor of Hawaiian Studies
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Pālamanui Campus 502-152
(808) 969-8875
ekflores@hawaii.edu
BA 1982, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
PELE KAIO
Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Manono Campus 389B-104
(808) 969-8875
pelekaio@hawaii.edu
AA 2010, Hawai'i Community College
AAS 2010, Hawai'i Community College
BA 2013, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
MA 2015, Union Institute and University
Aloha kākou. ʻO Pele Kaio koʻu inoa. My roots run deep in Hawaiʻi, with my father's side hailing from Lāʻia (Lāʻie), Oʻahu, and my mother's lineage connecting to ʻAiea, Oʻahu, and Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi. I was born and raised in Southern California; however, I moved to Hawaiʻi in my early 20s to pursue an education in hula and mea Hawaiʻi
I am privileged to teach hula and Hawaiian studies at Hawaiʻi Community College and serve as the Interim Director at Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi. I also hold an executive member role on the Kīpaepae Protocols Committee at both the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College.
My educational journey began at Hawaiʻi Community College, where I earned an A.A.S. in Hawaiian Studies - Hula and an A.A. in Liberal Arts. I continued my studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, receiving a B.A. in Geography with a minor in Hawaiian Studies. I later completed an M.A. in History and Culture from Union Institute and University.
As a college instructor, an ʻūniki ʻailolo of Unukupukupu, and the kumu hula of Unulau, based in Hilo and Waimea, I find immense joy in connecting with students, learning alongside them, and helping them discover and realize their potential. I firmly believe that everyone can succeed and create meaning in their lives.
I ola e nā kini ē!
KUʻULEI KANAHELE
Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies
Manono Campus 389B-107
(808) 934-2605
kuulei.kanahele@hawaii.edu
BA 1998, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
MA 2001, Central Michigan University
PhD 2021, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Kuʻulei Kanahele is an instructor at Hawai`i Community College's Hawai`i Life Styles program. She holds a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies, a M.A.Ed, and a PhD in Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization.
ĀKEAMAKAMAE KIYUNA
Hawaiian Studies/Language Culture Pathways Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Manono Campus 380-34
(808) 934-2609
akiyuna@hawaii.edu
BA 2010, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
MA 2012, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
ʻO wau nō ʻo Ākeamakamae Kiyuna a he kupa kēia no ka ʻāina ʻo Kalauao, Oʻahu. I am from Kalauao, Oʻahu, with roots also in Hōnaunau, Hawaiʻi. I did my undergraduate studies in Hawaiian Studies and Linguistics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and received an M.A. in Linguistics from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I have been teaching at the college and university level since 2012.
MONICA BURNETT
Educational Specialist
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Manono Campus 380-34
(808) 934-2604
mburnett@hawaii.edu
AS 1992, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Community Colleges Leadership Champion, Generation XI Monica was born in Honolulu and raised in Kaūmana and Puna, Hawaiʻi. A proud alumna of Hawaiʻi Community College, she has been working at the I Ola Hāloa Center since August of 2000. Monica enjoys helping as well as getting to know the students. She believes that every student has the opportunity to be successful at HawaiiCC and beyond. On her days off, she loves spending time with her ʻohana.
TIFFANY NAEA
Educational Specialist
I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles
Manono Campus 380-34
(808) 934-2603
naea@hawaii.edu
AA Liberal Arts 2011, Hawaiʻi Community College
BA Communication 2012, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
BA Psychology 2014, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Aloha nui! My name is Tiffany Naea ☺
I was born in Hilo, raised in Oʻahu and settled back in Hilo to raise my children on this beautiful Moku o Keawe. Iʻve been married for 35 years, and I have 3 children and 2 grandchildren who all live in Hilo. Hilo is home.
I work at the I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles Office as an Educational Specialist. Iʻm also a Hawaiʻi Community College student majoring in Hawaiian Studies. Iʻm a lifelong learner and am so excited and thankful to be a part of this Hawaiʻi Community College Hawaiian Studies Program.