In 2005, Kuʻialuaopuna was established under the guidance, blessing and authority of
ʻŌlohe Lua Kukui Richard Kekumuikawaiokeola Paglinawan,
ʻŌlohe Lua Moses Elwood Kalauokalani,
and ʻŌlohe Haka Noelani Kanoho Mahoe.
Kuʻialuaopuna, established in Puna, Hawai‘i, is dedicated to revitalize the ancient knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s Lua arts. The revitalization began on Oʻahu, led by five haumana of Charles Kemoku Kenn, who founded the first pa lua, Paku'ialua in the eighties. Their rigorous training encompassed the protocols and kapu of Hawaiian culture and Lua, under the guidance of renowned scholars and practitioners such as ʻŌlohe Lua Charles Kemoku Kenn and Mary Kawena Pukuʻi. Together, Ku'ialuaopuna is committed to preserving the heritage and history of our various lua traditions and those of Pākuʻialua.
Kekahuna and Naluahine Kekaaweokaahumanu Ka‘opua
Tutu Naluahine Ka‘opua was born July 4, about 1860, died April 13, 1961 at Kahalu‘u, Hawaii Island. He lived off of Makolea Beach Road near the Lonoikamakahiki’s Sacred Residence. Coming from an ancient line of Lua fighters, Naluahine's training began as a child under his great-tutu Lana‘i, who stood over 7 feet tall and was the skilled attendant and lua master under Kamehameha the first. Naluahine Kekaaweokaahumanu Ka‘opua demonstrated remarkable determination from a young age, choosing to pursue lua training despite his father's objections. His father, Kaopua, believed lua was unnecessary for his children as it was of an era from past times, not needed in this modern society. Undeterred, Naluahine trained under many of their family masters and eventually was able to preserve his families ancient style of lua, which he later passed on to Charles Kenn, ensuring the legacy of his families Lua of South Kona lives on today.
Naluahine Kaopua
Henry Seishiro Okazaki,
Henry Seishiro Okazaki, born on January 28, 189, in Kakeda, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, embarked on a transformative journey when migrated to Hawaii in 1906. At the age of 19, he faced a significant challenge with a lung disease, which drove him to study Judo under Master Yoshimatsuaka, igniting both his passion and his path to recovery. While living in Hilo, he also studied Lua from a Puna native, further expanding his fighting arts knowledge. Ultimately, Professor Okazaki founded the unique martial arts system known as "Kodenkan," skillfully Judo, Jujitsu, Hawaiian Lua, Okinawan Karate, Chinese Kung Fu, and American techniques, making his teachings accessible to a diverse array of students
Luʻukia Kaoho Kemoku Kenn
Charles William Luʻukia Kaoho Kemoku Kenn, born in Honolulu on January 2, 1907, was one of the last great masters of lua, steeped in a lineage of kāhuna. A passionate advocate for Hawaiian culture, he fiercely resisted the Americanization of people. Through his writings and recordings of Hawaiian chants, Kemoku Kenn preserved vital aspects of the Hawaiian language and traditions.
Kenn learned lua from several teachers—including two who had trained at a royal lua school established by King Kalakaua in the late 1800s. He also studied with renowned sensei Seishiro “Henry” Okazaki, who had learned lua ai from a Hawaiian practitioner after World War I and incorporated them into his Danzan-Ryu style of jujitsu. Kemoku also studied and trained with Naluahine Kaopua of Kona, and other Hawaiian lua practitioners born in the mid 1800's. In his later years, he embraced the responsibility of teaching the ancient art of lua, mentoring a select group of students who would continue on his legacy by establishing two pa lua in Hawaii.
ʻŌlohe Lua Richard Paglinawan
Richard Likeke Kekumuikawaiokeola Paglinawan, known as 'Ōlohe Lua Kukui, was a prominent student of Charles Kenn and the founder of Pākuʻialua. As a descendant of Kapule, a warrior priest from Kohala, Hawai'i, he played a significant role in the preservation of Hawaiian culture and traditions. Born and raised in Waiahole, Oʻahu, Richard dedicated his life to teaching traditional Hawaiian cultural practices and Lua, serving as a social worker and holding various esteemed positions within the State of Hawaii. His legacy continues to inspire as he still guides us in promoting ourIndigenous fighting art of Lua.
Professor Libert O’Sullivan is a highly respected figure the martial arts community, having trained under renowned instructors Bing Fai Lau and Sig Kufferath. He earned his Black Belt in Jujitsu in June 1949 and has extensive experience in Kenpo and Karate. After relocating from Molokai, he taught at St. Louis High School in 1957 and continued his journey with Professor Kufferath at the Nikko Dojo in. In June 2000, he was honored with a 10th-degree professorship from the Hawaiipo Jujitsu Society and contributed to the of Lua through his training with Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki.
Professor Libert O 'Sullivan
_edited.jpg)
ʻŌlohe Lua Mamane Wong
ʻŌlohe Lua Mamane Wong brings over 20 years of dedicated training in lua. His journey includes extensive mentorship under prominent figures such as ʻŌlohe Richard Paglinawan, ʻŌlohe Moses Kalauokalani, and ʻŌlohe Haʻa Noelani Mahoe. Additionally, he has honed his skills under sensei Libert 'OSillivan, delving into the lua arts of professor Henry Okazaki. His rich experience and lineage make him a dedicated practitioner in the art of lua.
'Ōlohe Lua Keani Kaleimamahu
'Ōlohe Lua Keani Kaleimamahu was a member of Paku'ialua for some years before starting his halau Ku'ialuaopuna and continues to teach Lua and their traditions to the people of Puna and Hawai'i Island. He has realigned the mission and values of Ku'ialuaopuna to rediscover the indigenous fighting practices of our many Pacific Island families. He has also trained under Sensei Libert O'Sullivan for many years learning the Lua strikes passed down from Professor Okazaki.
Kuʻialuaopuna is dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich cultural and traditional knowledge of our people across the Pacific. We celebrate and honor our many indigenous fighting arts, ensuring that these practices are passed down through generations. Join us in our mission to keep our heritage alive and thriving. Together, we can empower our communities and foster a deeper understanding of our unique cultural identity.
