My name is Kumu Hula Michael-John Kekeikiināmakahoʻolili De Mello and I am one of the three new Hula masters of the house of Kea. Born and raised on the island of Hawai’i; in the village of Keaukaha, is when I first attended “Kula Kaiapuni” or Hawaiian immersion schooling at the age of five. Progressing throughout the Hawaiian immersion program as I attended and graduated from Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu in 2010, I found my passion for hula my freshman year of high school with Kumu Hula Nui Paul K. Neves and his teachings. I’ve been in the Hālau for nearly 20 years and have grown so much over this period. My goal is to continue that legacy of teaching so that our culture and heritage of Hawaii grow ever more through hula.