2009 George Na`ope Hula Hula Festival Weekend
Kumu Hula Keala Ching
Kealakehe, Kona, Hawai`i
Keala, a dancer with The Men of Waimapuna under the direction of Darryl Ihiihilauakea Lupenui, has competed in 1984 in the King Kamehameha Hula & Chant competition as well as the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in 1986. In 1999, Keala became a practitioner of Ho`oponopono with Kūpuna Malia Craver, a cultural specialist at the Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center. He is a practitioner of hula, Hawaiian culture and traditions with Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, of Kūhai Hālau Kawaikapuokalani Pā `Ōlapa Kahiko.
Keala is a Hawaiian Cultural Educator, composer, song writer, and is also the spiritual advisor to many Hawaiian organizations. Keala is co-founder and the Executive Director of Nā Wai Iwi Ola (NWIO) Foundation, founded to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and practices through hula protocol and ceremonies, the use and study of the Hawaiian language, and by embracing the stories of our kupuna past, present, and future. NWIO focuses on a multigenerational learning , while working with kupuna (elders), makua (parents), `opio (youths) and kamali`i (children) - directing cultural educational programs annually for children of all ages. Keala is Kumu Hula for Ka Pā Hula Nā Wai Iwi Ola and Nā Wai Puna o Kona (Kūpuna) in Kailua-Kona. He is also Kumu Hula and cultural advisor to Hālau Nā Wai Ola in Sunnyvale, California, under the direction of Kumu Hula Kau`i Isa-Kahaku, Nā Wai Pana, Hau`oli Hula Studios in Japan, under the direction of Kumu Hula Arleen Hau`oli, and Nā Wai `Ōhi`a in Zurich, Switzerland.
