My name is Kiana ʻIhilani Kuʻulei Perreira-Keawekane (Kuulei Music). I was born in Hilo, Hawaiʻi and raised in the ʻili ʻāina of Panaʻewa. I belong to Ronney Keawekane Jr., Malia Perreira, Fred and Gerrianne (Low) Perreira, and Billie Keawekane-Beere. I come from the Ua Kanilehua and the Makani ʻAʻala Honua – the waters of Lokowaka raised me, and I am sustained by my pilina to Kūkahauʻula, the summit of Mauna a Wākea.
I am passionate about mauli ola – the wellness of a person’s cultural identity. Mauli ola as described by Dr. Keaweaimoku Kaholokula, involves Ke Ao ʻŌiwi – Indigenous Space, Ka Mālama ʻĀina – Land Stewardship, Ka ʻAi Pono – Healthy Consumption, and Ka Wai Ola – Social Justice. The Kumu Honua Mauli Ola, published by the ʻAha Pūnana Leo presents that mauli Hawaiʻi relates to a person’s ʻAoʻao Pili ʻUhane – Spirituality, ʻAoʻao ʻŌlelo – Language and Worldview, ʻAoʻao Lawena – Behaviors and Customs, and ʻAoʻao ʻIke Kūʻuna – Traditional Knowledge. The spaces I hold and the “hats I wear” are articulations of the way I perpetuate mauli ola as a value system and way of life.
I am a singer, songwriter, educator, and ordained minister of Ka ʻUhane Hemolele o ka Mālamalama Church through the Hoʻomana o Ke Akua Ola. I am a cultural advisor for the Māpuna Lab as well as Mana Music and Media, and I currently partner with Ola Brew, the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-Op, Waiwai Collective, and hopefully soon – Native Books. Mahalo for taking the time to read through my bio – I hope to work with you soon!
Experience
Recording Artist
As a recording artist, I’ve released one album, two singles (I Just Wanna Live and Aloha ʻĀina Meds), and I’m featured in three songs including Stay Home by Chardonnay and Drain the Tanks by Ikaakamai. I write music and play solo with my ʻukulele for parties – think Calypso Medley, ʻOʻopu Nui, Kaulana Nā Pua, Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 and Valerie. You can also sometimes catch me performing alongside Kaʻikena Scanlan, Ikaakamai, and Kawiki Aspili (the braddahs I look up to the most as Hammah Hawaiians).
Farmer
I sit on the Board of Directors for the Keaukaha Panaewa Farmers Association. I am an aspiring farmer, and so far we’re working with about 30 huli mana ulu, 1.5 pōhā sprigs, 2 puakenikeni trees, and 1 potted ʻulu otea that I probably should’ve put into the ground about 2 weeks ago). I am also the proud daughter of a multigenerational pig farmer.
Educator
As an educator, I teach classes at Ola Brew in Kona and via Zoom online, I offer workshops and public speaking lectures at educational institutions like San Diego State University and the John A Burns School of Medicine at UH Mānoa, and I deliver cultural training to businesses like Dolby Digital. I also facilitate individual consults with Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian people who have questions about Hawaiʻi things including spirituality and prayer, cultural accountability, language, and moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy).
Ministry
As a newly ordained Kahu Haʻiʻeuanelio of the ʻEkalesia o Ka ʻUhane Hemolele o ka Mālamalama of the Hoʻomana o Ke Akua Ola, I am an active member of my church and choir in Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi. I bless houses, visit the hospitalized ill, and offer counsel for those who are in need of religious support. I also keep a “blog” of my devotions here on the site.
Work
Program Facilitator for the John A Burns School of Medicine: Department of Native Hawaiian Health at UH Mānoa
2018 – 2020
Developed place-based curriculum for the I Ola Kōhala program established to educate and train young people of Kōhala, Hawaiʻi in the field of Native Hawaiian Health. Developed content to supplement ʻIke Aʻo trainings provided by the Cultural Protocols and Procedures Officer.
Office and Medical Assistant at Oʻahu Pain Care in Hilo
2016 – 2018
Lent support to Dr. Louis Pau, M.D and his office staff in the delivery of care to patients suffering from chronic pain. Operated the fluoroscope and assisted with medical procedures such as Epidural Steroid Injections, as well as the paperwork related to Worker’s Compensation, insurance, and billing.
Cultural Advisor at the Māpuna Lab of the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health at UH Mānoa
2021 – Present
Created the Kanilehua Framework on the Relationality of Public Health, and delivered cultural training to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Supports the development of culturally anchored training for the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health – Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.
Aloha ʻĀina Advocate and Social Media Influencer
2018 – Present
Actively submits testimony and holds space on the “frontlines” of issues related to Mauna Kea, the health and wellness of Hawaiʻi people, and the militarization of Hawaiʻi. Provides lessons, inspiration, and entertainment to 35K followers on Instagram via @kuuleimusic, previously @mauli.ola. Present for the occupation at Mauna Kea, Hakipuʻu, and Kahuku/Kalaeloa.
Ku'ulei Music 