Chairs

Paul K. Neves
Neves is the standing Chair of the Kamehameha Festival. A Kumu Hula ‘ūniki (graduate) under Kumu Hula Kaho‘onei Panoke, who was ‘ūniki under Kumu Hula Winona Kapuailohia Desha-Beamer. Neves established and presides over three hula hālau that bears his family name, Hālau Ha‘a Kea o Akala in Hawai‘i, Hālau Ha‘a Kea o Kinohi in California, and Hālau Ha‘a Kea o Mokihana in Washington D.C. (Visit halauhaakea.org). A respected judge, Neves has judged hula competitions in both Hawai‘i and Japan.

Neves has been involved in spiritual, cultural, political, and sovereignty issues facing Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (aboriginal peoples of Hawai‘i) since 1984. A 20 year Pastoral Associate of the Roman Catholic Church, he is also the Kalaimoku (High Chief & High Senior Councilor) of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. As the past Ali‘i ‘Ai Moku of Māmala Hoa, Neves has been responsible for the organization and presentation of the Kamehameha Day Celebrations in Hilo since 1996. A graduate of the University of Geneva, Switzerland, Neves is a recognized cultural expert who has made presentations on Native Hawaiian issues throughout Hawai‘i, the United States, Western Europe, the Cook Islands, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Puerto Rico, and United Nations (New York).

Pua Ishibashi
As the Event Coordinator, Pua has nearly thirty years of marketing and promotions experience including coordinating and promoting cultural conferences and workshops. Pua has been a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa (Hilo Chapter) since 1995 and is currently serving as the Ali‘i ‘Ai Moku (High Chief) of Māmala Hoa. Married to Gloria A. Duvauchelle of Kaua‘i, Pua is the proud father of five beautiful daughters and one son (‘Alohiwailani, Kailani, Kaua‘i, Kanoenani, Kiana, and Kāhili). Pua received his law degree (J.D.) from Gonzaga University School of Law, Washington, an undergraduate degree (B.A.) from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and an associate of science (A.S.) degree from Hawaii Community College, Hilo.