Kepā and Onaona Maly have worked together on historical and ethnographic studies for more than 45 years.

Onaona is a beneficiary of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, and is descended from families with ancestral ties to Hawai’i (Puna, Kaʻū and Kona), Maui (Ko’olau-Hamakua region), Lāna‘i (Keomoku Vicinity), Molokai (Kona), O’ahu (Waialua), and Kaua’i (Ko’olau and Puna). She assists Kepā with historical research, transcribes recordings of oral history interviews, and manages project development.

Kepā was raised on the islands of O’ahu and Lanaʻi. While growing up on Lānaʻi, Kepā was taught the Hawaiian language and cultural practices and values by kūpuna (elders). Kūpuna spoke of, and practiced many aspects of Hawaiian culture, including land and ocean management practices, mele and hula (chants and dances), material culture, traditions, and ethnobotany. In 1975, Kepā participated in an ‘ūniki under Kumu Hula Ma‘iki Aiu Lake, and graduated formally as a Kumu Hula. For nearly 60 years, Kepā has continued to learn about Hawaiian traditions and practices from kūpuna and kumu a’o (teachers) from Hawaiʻi to Niʻihau learning from native Hawaiians who have lived their culture as handed down by their elders before them.

In 2006 Kepā and Onaona were asked to come home to Lāna‘i to helping the community create a museum and archive, and in the development of place based cultural curriculum and resource stewardship. That program led to the formation of the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center (www.lanaichc.org). Also, between 2006 to 2017 Kepā served as the Executive Director of the Hoakalei Cultural Foundation, implementing kūpuna vision for the implementation of preservation plans, interpretation, and educational programs (www.hoakaleifoundation.org)

In 2013, Kepā accepted the position of Senior Vice President-Culture & Historic Preservation under the new ownership company with Pūlama Lāna’i. For five years he oversaw management of nearly 90,000 acres of Lāna’i in developing award winning cultural literacy and resource management programs. Onaona continued working on Kumu Pono Associates research and archival projects, and managed the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center website. 

In 2018, Kepā and Onaona returned to Hawai’i Island, and have since continued working on Lāna‘i projects and conducting ethnographic studies across the islands. 

Our work is inspired by the voices of kupuna. Onaona’s own kupuna kuakahi, Samuel Ka‘uhanehonokawailani Māhoe, born at Koa‘e Puna in 1845 is one of those voices that reminds us—  

“O ka pono ka hanaia ina ia he mea e haule mai ai na Lani.”
“One must do what is right, even were it to cause the Heavens to fall.”
Samuel Kauhanehonokawailani Mahoe
Nupepa Kuokoa, Okatoba 9, 1914:3