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A sandalwood lei that answers to its name – one of the many lei worn by the late Kumu Hula Darrell ‘Ihi’ihilauākea Lupenui. By honoring the image of this lei, we honor our Kumu Darrell Lupenui. Therefore the purpose of our Non-Profit Foundation is to perpetuate the unique tradition, teaching, and hula styling of the late Kumu Hula and his legacy for future generations.” As former men of Waimāpuna and former Ladies of Ke Ala O Ka Lauaʻe, we are proud to share his life through our own achievements among kumu hula ourselves and our dedicated hālau hula!
Blaine Kamalani Kia
Chinky Māhoe
Louella Cazimero-Bactad
Bobbi-Lynn Kupihea-Char
Paʻakea Akiu
Charlene Campbell
Laurie Marks
Ipolani Silva
EO LEI ʻILIAHI
c/o Mrs. Louella Cazimero-Bactad (Treasurer).
92-836 WAINOHIA Street, KAPOLEI, HI. 96707.
Define kumu.
noun, Bottom, base, foundation.
noun, Teacher, tutor.
noun, Beginning, source, origin.
noun, Reason, cause.
The “one & only” Darrell ʻIhiʻihilauākea Lupenui will forever be known as the most celebrated kumu of the male hula. He was just that good! Not only was he talented, but he was also a large man whom was larger than life itself! Infectious in everyway! Everything about him was loveable and unforgettable. He left a significant mark on many young lives that will endure for many generations to come. The former Men of Waimāpuna can only express how they were each galvanized by his teaching in a way that allows them each to be resolute in their path, steady in their practice, and firm in their belief.
From Dedrick Sakuma, one of the original Men of Waimāpuna:
"In 1976, Darrell Lupenui, John Ka'imikaua, Thaddeus Wilson got together one day and decided to start a men hula group to be part of an entertaining show for Tavava's Polynesian Revue in Waikiki who they were a part of. They brought in their other friends O'Brien Eselu and Lyle S. who all were together with them with the "Aiea Swinging Singers", a musical group at Aiea High School.
They called other boys that they knew were part of the Swinging Singers with included Dedrick and Derwin Sakuma, Stanford Ha'o, Asa Young, Alvin Cho and Lambert Young. They were given the name, The Men of Waimāpuna."
Darrell traveled the world and often took the Men of Waimāpuna. From West Coast California, to East Coast, to Tahiti, Darrell made a name for himself. Darrell also had the God-given-talent to sing and play music on several musical projects. Aloha Pumehana - Hula Gems was a notable music project along with Darrellʻs solo music project produced by the late Theresa Bright. Darrell enjoyed performing at nights at the legendary “Water Town” alongside Kekua Fernandez, Auntie Leilani Sharp Mendez, and Ainsley Halemanu.
Darrell's travels also took him to places such as Chicago with the Hawaii's Visitors Bureau, to Tahiti, where his men performed an exhibition prior to the Tahiti Fete, and also the University of Hawaii, where Waimāpuna performed for dignitaries throughout the world, at the East-West Center.
In 1982 Darrell organized and formed a sister halau, the women of "Ke ʻAla o Ka Laua'e. It was a first for Darrell, since he had never before tried to choreograph motions for women. However, in 1985, after a five year hiatus from the Merrie Monarch hula festival, he entered his women. Like the first time he entered, the crowds were almost not familiar with these women, but they were very familiar with his style of chanting and with his male hula. The results would prove to be the same, the women were also victorious. Darrell now had both the "Men of Waimāpuna", and the ladies of "Ke 'Ala o Ka Laua'e, and a Miss Aloha Hula in Healani Youn who hailed from the island of Kauaʻi.
The next year in 1986, Darrell returned to the Merrie Monarch with his men, with a stunning performance depicting warriors from the island of Molokai. His men swept the competition, and the audience off their feet. Though his heart was definitely in hula, Darrell's voice was his overall asset, both in his chanting and his singing ability. However, his guidance, leadership, training, strength, and spiritual advice, came from his mother, Auntie Muriel.
Darrell left us in August, 1987, but his legacy lives on through his students, some, who themselves, have become teachers in their own right. Chinky Mahoe, Healani Youn, Buzzy Histo, Keone Nunes, Blaine Kia, Tammy Silva, Stennette and Derek Nu'uhiwa, Mark Kelii Hoomalu, Paʻakea Hicks, and the list goes on.
The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival became the arena that catapulted his acclaimed name with his Men of Waimāpuna that generated a movement of sort, in the male hula. With notable teachers such as Thaddeus Wilson and OʻBrian Eselu, The Men of Waimāpuna was a “household” name! And considered the finest of male hula dancers ever!
Once again we are returning to the acclaimed hula arena as the Former Men of Waimāpuna! This time, we are bringing our respective Nā Kumu Hula and their downlines to honor our Kumu Hula, The Late Darrell Lupenui, as we celebrate Merrie Monarchʻs 50th Celebration of the Kāne Hula, on Exhibition Night at the Edith Kanakaʻole Tennis Stadium on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
EŌ WAIMĀPUNA!
