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2005 LEI QUEEN:
FLO KU`ULEILANI FERNANDEZ
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FLO KU`ULEILANI FERNANDEZ is the daughter of Franklin and Emily Thomas. Her father was a captain in the Honolulu Police Department and her mother was an accomplished musician.
Flo and her husband Kalani Fernandez have three sons, one daughter, and nine grandchildren.
Kupuna Fernandez started in the entertainment business at an early age dancing for her mother's group throughout the islands, and on ocean liners. She also performed at the Kodak Hula Show for 36 years. The art of lei making was taught to her by her mother as part of her adornment as a hula dancer. In addition to working with flowers, her mother taught her to make a variety of lei hulu, feather leis. |
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Ku`uleilani is the kumu hula of Halau Hula O Pua `A`ala Hone where she shares the artistry of hula and lei making skills with her students. She also shares this knowledge with the Department of Parks and Recreation where she has been an instructor for over 15 years.
In addition to being a graceful hula dancer, Ku`uleilani is also an accomplished singer and guitar player. Her other hobbies include hula, singing karaoke, and sewing. She also cherishes spending time with her `ohana.
The tradition of Lei Day has always been special to Ku`uleinani. There were many proud and happy moments of Lei Day programs at her children's schools and now sharing this same tradition with her mo`opuna is very precious to her.
Kupuna Fernandez fondly recalls her own special memories of being a princess on our 2002 Lei Court. The smell of flowers, joyful music, the beauty of the Queen and her court remain with her today. Most special to her was and is meeting and making new friends.
Ku`uleilani shares that she is proud to have been a part of our Hawaiiana program these past 15 years and is glad that the City continues to keep the tradition of our Lei Day Celebration alive for our future generations to enjoy. |
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PRINCESS PRISCILLA MARIE MALAMA EWALIKO
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PRISCILLA MARIE MALAMA EWALIKO is the daughter of Ernest and Beatrice Furtado. She has two brothers and four sisters. The Furtado family resided in Honolulu until Priscilla was in the fifth grade. They then moved to Kane`ohe. After graduation from Castle High School she attended Kapi`olani Community College.
Kupuna Ewaliko and her husband of 36 years, Herbert Ewaliko, Jr., have 2 daughters, 2 sons, and are proud grandparents of 8 beautiful grandchildren.
Priscilla said that as a child her father and grandmother instilled in her what it means to be Hawaiian. This included caring for others and lending a helping hand without hesitation. Every Friday in their home was "Aloha Friday." Her grandmother taught her to appreciate everything around her because there is no place in the world like Hawai`i. Her unforgettable childhood memories are those of growing up on a farm, camping during the summer, learning to live in harmony with nature and surviving off the land and ocean. |
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Family is very important to Priscilla. She has dedicated her life to raising her children and being involved in their extra curricular activities. Is it any wonder that although she had many different jobs her favorite one is staying home to care for her mo`opuna, her grandchildren.
In her spare time, Priscilla enjoys kapa kuiki, Hawaiian quilting, and gets together weekly with a group of ladies at Kawaiaha`o Church to share their love of this beautiful art form. She is also a student of Halau Kalai Makaipo O Na Hulu Mamo, Kumu Hula Charlene Kalai Campbell. Lei making is another one of her favorite pastimes.
Priscilla shared that she feels blessed to live in this place we call paradise. Her goal is to pass on the knowledge from her parents and grandparents to her children and grandchildren. She said that the good Lord may not have blessed her with a voice to sing, but He surely has blessed her with great hands to create lei, crafts and Hawaiian quilts! |
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PRINCESS LORRAINE LAHELA PE`ELUA HIGA |
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LORRAINE LAHELA PE`ELUA HIGA is the daughter of the late Jesse Kaohana Ali`i Pe`elua and Eva Lahela Poaha Pe`elua of Kaunakakai, Moloka`i. She is the eldest of six children. She was raised in Kalamaula and attended Moloka`i High School.
Kupuna Higa and her husband, Nobuo, will celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary. They are blessed with six children, 13 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
Before retiring, Lahela worked for 23 years at the Flamingo Chuck Wagon Restaurant. She also worked as a service agent at the Honolulu International Airport. She currently works part-time for Gomes Bus Company as a Handi-van driver for children. |
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Kupuna Higa is very active in the Waimanalo community. She is currently a board member for the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association, where she serves as Chairperson for the Hospitality Committee. In September 2004, as a member of the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), Lahela attended the dedication and opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. She also helped to host the Association's island-wide convention. She is also a member of the Alu Like kupuna retirees, Hale o Na Ali`i, and the Waimanalo Seniors. She has dedicated this day to them.
When Lahela is not busy with her community work, she enjoys strumming her `ukulele and singing her favorite tunes with her family and friends. She learned hula from Kumu Hula Flo Fernandez of Halau Hula o Pua `A`ala Hone, as well as from her daughter, Kumu Hula Lori Ka`uinalani Higa of Moloka`i. Kupuna Higa also enjoys making lei and baking.
Lahela thanks the Lord for all her blessings and guidance. In her own words Lahela states, "Today we will all experience the knowledge and talents from our kupuna who are a legacy of our Hawaiian culture."
Lahela extends her "mahalo" to her `ohana and friends, for all their support and for being here today. A special love goes out to her husband, Nobuo to thank him for being so patient and understanding, and for always believing in her. |
PRINCESS EDITH KEONAONA KANEKOA
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EDITH KEONAONA KANEKOA is the daughter of Charles Kealoha Kanekoa, Sr., and Josephine Malie Makahilahila Kahaunaele. She grew up in the little town of Nahiku on the eastern side of Maui in the Hana District. She lived there with her six brothers and two sisters.
Edie attended Hana High School. She married and had five children. Kupuna Kanekoa practices the value of pa`ahana, and is a wonderful role model for life-long learning.
At the age of 27 she returned to school where she received her G.E.D. She then worked towards her Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from Brigham Young University Hawai`i and Portland State. While going to school, Edie raised her children and worked full-time. |
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She later moved to Los Angeles and lived in Glendale. She taught school in Van Nuys, North Hollywood and after several years moved to Vancouver, Washington where she taught in the Evergreen School District until her retirement.
Edie returned to Hawai`i to be with her brothers and sisters. Her children are doing well and have given her 15 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren. Three months ago a little girl was born into the `ohana making Edie a great, great grandmother! |
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PRINCESS CAROL ANN KAMILLA GRACE NOLAND |
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CAROL ANN KAMILA GRACE NOLAND is the daughter of Martez and Lucy Grace of Hawai`i island. She was raised in a little village called `Olelomoana in the district of Honaunau. At an early age Kamila was taught the value of malama `aina, caring for the land with love and respect. Kupuna Noland attended `Alae Elementary School, Ho`okena Intermediate School, and is a graduate of Konawaena High School. She continued her education at Honolulu Community College and Kapi`olani Community College.
Kamila and her husband Charles have nine children and eight grandchildren, with number nine on the way.
She was employed with the State of Hawai`i's Department of Health. She recently retired with 30 years of service. |
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She loves being a pa`u rider, and has participated in the Kamehameha Day Festivals for 11 years. In 1992, Kamila was chosen as the princess for the island of Kaua`i.
She dances for Halau Na Mamo o Pu`uanahulu, under the direction of Kumu Hula Sonny Ching. She is also a student of Gladys Grace and is learning the art of lauhala papale weaving.
Kamila says that she is thankful and blessed that God has given her good health and a wonderful husband. |
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