An instructor CC of Pacific-Hawaiian Island Studies, Aloha Kekoolani earned her B.A. in Hawaiian Art (1997) and M.A. in Pacific Island Studies (2004) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Aloha’s graduate research, “Na’au Poi: Spiritual Food for Cultural Enlightenment,” examined na’au, an ancient Hawaiian conceptualization of the unification of body, mind, and spirit that serves as one’s gut instinct.  She constructed the concept of Na’au Poi, a fusion of ancient and contemporary na’au ideology, and she asserts that it can serve as a set of helpful tools and skills to promote life, health, and prosperity among Hawaiians and other peoples. 

She has held academic positions at various public and private institutions in Hawai’i, including the Honolulu Community College and Farrington High School. 

Her artistic experience over the past three decades is both wide-ranging and comprehensive.  It includes live Polynesian music and dance performances, published artwork and graphic design exhibitions, television spots and commercials, voiceover work and radio talk show appearances, cover and catalog modeling, and profit and non-profit volunteer work. Aloha also wrote, directed, and performed in an instructional hula video, “Na Mea Hula Hawai’i: A Cultural and Educational Hula Video with Hawaiian Language Tutorial.” 

Currently, Aloha serves as a public speaker on na’au and related Oceania topics for various academic and non-profit functions. She also teaches classes in Hula and Tahitian dance and conducts Hawaiian culture workshops. In the entertainment arena, Aloha produces live performance packages for special events, conventions, luaus, and wedding ceremonies.