Dr. Kekoa Harmon

Dr. Kekoa Harmon is an Associate Professor of Hawaiian studies and language at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, acts as a mentor/coach, collaborator, performer, and an invaluable contact to the Hilo community. He earned his PhD in Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization. His work provides a model encompassing the relationship of Hawaiian language, culture, and dance through which his students discover their identity, and the skills to succeed. Harman’s work presents an opportunity for participants to establish an accurate perception of the islands beyond the traditional tourist Hula culture. Harman, a native Hawaiian, graduated under the traditional hula ʻuniki ceremony under Kumu Hula Kimo Alama Keaulana. In addition to teaching dance and language at the University, he and his wife Pelehonuamea founded their hula school continuing the traditions of hula in the Hawaiian language.