ku`ualoha ho`omanawanui was born in the seaside town of Kailua, O`ahu, and raised in uplands of Wailua, Kaua`i. A Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) scholar, poet and artist with a love for diverse genres of art and music, ku`ualoha is also the Chief Editor of ‘Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal, the first contemporary journal featuring Native Hawaiian writers and artists. She teaches a variety of courses at different levels, focusing on Native Hawaiian folklore and mythology, contemporary Pacific literature, and indigenous perspectives on literacy.