Kumu Kaponoʻai Molitau was born on the island of Oʻahu and raised traditionally with the cultural guidance of one of Hawaiʻiʻs leading authorities in Hula and Chant his makua hānai, the late Kumu Hula, John Keola Lake. His wisdom and guidance instilled years of cultural grounding and culminated in his ʻŪniki as Kumu Hula in 1994 at Puʻukoholā Heiau in Kawaihae, Hawaiʻi. His hālau hula training and traditions come from the hula lineage of Kumu Hula, Maiki Aiu Lake of Oʻahu and Kaehukaikaae of Lāhaina, Maui. His oli training and traditions come from Kumu Hula, John Keola Lake who was trained by Kumu Hula, Edith Kanakaole of Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi and Kaehukaikaae of Lāhaina, Maui.  

Kumu Kaponoʻai is Kumu Hula of Hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike ʻo Piʻilani which has been teaching Hula, Oli, Loina Hawaiʻi, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and Haku Mele for the past 22 years in Kahului, Maui. Kumu Kaponoʻai’s continual commitment to the host culture of Hawaiʻi is a solid reflection of the ancestral guidance of his kūpuna. The excitement of working with our Kānaka Hawaiʻi and the world as well as engaging with their hearts in Hula, Oli, and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is always inspiring and fulfilling.  

For 31 years Kumu Kaponoʻai was part of the Nā Papa Kanaka o Puʻukoholā where he served at the Temple of State of Kamehameha I as Kahuna Pule and Kahuna Nui of Puʻukoholā and Mailekinikūlanaola. Polynesian dignitaries, Heads of State, and Hawaiian practitioners have attended the annual Hoʻokuʻikahi events held on the shores of Kawaihae on the day that was chosen on the hill of the whale.  

Today Kumu Kaponoʻai is rebuilding Kealakaʻihonua Heiau on the shores of Waiheʻe, one of the last remaining Heiau structures along that coastline, and looks forward to the day where ceremonies that allow for traditional practitioners to gather, to pule (pray), and to fulfill cultural intentions marked by seasonal changes can resume once again.   

Kumu Kaponoʻai also is the owner of Native Intelligence. A cultural resource center fully dedicated to the arts, practice, and intellect of our host culture in Hawaiʻi. This resource center is guised in retail and continues to champion the finest practitioners found throughout Hawaiʻi and Moananuiākea. 

Kumu Kaponoʻai is also the Director of the Department of ʻŌiwi Resources for Maui County. The only such department found in all of the counties in Hawaiʻi. This newly established department encompasses all elements of the universe observed, remembered, and cared for. From the lofty layers of the heavens and the verdant lands to the depths of the ocean. Embodying the physical, spiritual, and genealogical ties that sustain and define kanaka.