Through the nurturing and encouragement of his maternal and paternal grandmothers John Ka'imikaua experience his first inklings of things Hawaiian at the age of five.
From that point on his interest and love for his culture grew. By the age of 14 that love and desire to learn more lead him to a woman by the a name of Ka-wahine-kapu-hele-i-ka-po-kane of Moloka'i, the source from which he would gain his 'ike (knowledge) and authority to teach.
For three years John would study under Ka-wahine-kapu-hele-i-ka-po-kane, and become the vessel that would carry and care for the knowledge she would impart to him. The single most important piece of knowledge that was given to Kumu John is the mo'okuauhau (geneaology) of his Kumu and her Kumu dating back to 900 A.D. to the first keeper of this knowledge. It is an unbroken genealogy and the line of authority given to Kumu John and his halau.
On November 18, 1977 at the age of 19 Kumu John began Halau Hula O Kukunaokala. Over the next 30 years Halau Hula O Kukunaokala grew and flourished by participating in numerous community events fulfilling their mission to "enlighten and educate all people" through the ancient chant and dance of pre-Western Moloka'i. The Halau has traveled to many places within the South Pacific and abroad. Part of Kumu John's legacy is founding the Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko festival.
In June 2006, Kumu John passed away and in 2012, his wife Ka'oi passed away.
From that point on his interest and love for his culture grew. By the age of 14 that love and desire to learn more lead him to a woman by the a name of Ka-wahine-kapu-hele-i-ka-po-kane of Moloka'i, the source from which he would gain his 'ike (knowledge) and authority to teach.
For three years John would study under Ka-wahine-kapu-hele-i-ka-po-kane, and become the vessel that would carry and care for the knowledge she would impart to him. The single most important piece of knowledge that was given to Kumu John is the mo'okuauhau (geneaology) of his Kumu and her Kumu dating back to 900 A.D. to the first keeper of this knowledge. It is an unbroken genealogy and the line of authority given to Kumu John and his halau.
On November 18, 1977 at the age of 19 Kumu John began Halau Hula O Kukunaokala. Over the next 30 years Halau Hula O Kukunaokala grew and flourished by participating in numerous community events fulfilling their mission to "enlighten and educate all people" through the ancient chant and dance of pre-Western Moloka'i. The Halau has traveled to many places within the South Pacific and abroad. Part of Kumu John's legacy is founding the Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko festival.
In June 2006, Kumu John passed away and in 2012, his wife Ka'oi passed away.