CHECK OUT OUR Past SPEAKERS FROM
SPIRT FEST 2024
Kumu Ramsay
Kumu Ramsay is widely recognized and celebrated as an authority on the sacred and ancient ways of Hā-wai-ī. He is the rare embodiment of renowned personages, heralded as living treasures of Hawaiʻi during their lifetimes, namely, Pilahi Pākī, Morrnah Simeona, Solomon Kaʻihewalu, John Peʻa, Tommy Solomon and Richard “Papa” Lyman, each of whom personally tutored and mentored Kumu Ramsay in order that their knowledge and wisdom would endure throughout contemporary times and beyond. He is recognized and sought-after locally, nationally, and internationally for transformational leadership within his teachings, such as, “Remembering the
Future”, “The Way of Aloha” and “The Way of the Warrior Priest”. Kumu Ramsay is a beacon of light. He inspires life-changing growth and can be found among prominent elders and wisdom keepers at noteworthy gatherings. Kumu Ramsay is also the founder and president of (LEI) Life
Enhancement Institute of the Pacific; Director of (PILI) Pacific Islands Leadership Institute at Hawaii Pacific University; and is the Cultural Sustainability Planner at PBR Hawaii & Associates.
Lei‘ohu Ryder
Lei‘ohu Ryder is a Hawaiian spiritual leader, visionary, singer/songwriter, healer, and educator. Along with her partner Maydeen ‘Iao, they are Kumu Aloha (emissaries of aloha) and advocates for the indigenous soul in all people. Her love and knowledge of Hawai‘i, help us connect with ourselves, with Spirit, and the essence of Aloha. Lei`ohu is dedicated to restoring dignity & balance for all life. Aloha in Action serves love, the commitment that lies at the heart of everything they do and is the foundation for all of their activities.
ELIJAH MCSHANE
Elijah Kala McShane is a kanaka oiwi o Hawai’i (native descendant of the Hawaiian islands) and direct descendant of both Hawai’i/Maui & O’ahu chiefly lineages. Elijah, also known as Kahu Kala, is the co-founder (with his wife Jazmin Yong) of Awakened Aloha, an organization focused on “inspiring a world where aloha is the heartbeat of humanity.” Awakened Aloha’s work bridges ancient wisdom and ancestral connection to modern wellness through the mauli ola (healing arts), la’au lapa’au (plant medicine), aloha education, and community development. His work has inspired hearts in the educational, political, and spiritual sectors of modern Hawai’i to visioneer a future that promotes harmony for all people beginning with Hawai’i and her children. As an ambassador of aloha and messenger of lokahi, Elijah shares a universal message that lays at the foundation of all people and cultures, “aloha ‘aina, aloha akua, aloha kanaka” (a deep honor and reverence for the land, the spirits, and the people). May this message of truth reach all dimensions of existence and call forth unity from the depths of po to the peaks of the lewa lani. E ola mau.
Michael Torres Jaimes
Michael Torres Jaimes, (MTJ) for short, was born and raised on the island of Oahu. He moved to California in his teens and later relocated to Maui in his mid-20s. Currently residing in California, he brings over 20 years of experience as a student in personal development. With more than 10,000 hours invested in education, training, certification, and various disciplines such as emotional intelligence, Gestalt Timeline therapy, neuroscience, experiential learning seminars, mental-emotional release therapy, esoteric wisdom, Master Practitioner, and NLP training, he has acquired a wealth of knowledge.
Having traveled extensively to India, Mexico, and the deep jungles of Peru, Michael has participated in sacred medicine ceremonies that have enabled him to synthesize his knowledge. This synthesis forms the basis of experiential training programs designed to create shifts at the neurological level in individuals. As the founder and creator of Conscious World Changers, he has coached and mentored individuals to lead extraordinary lives, facilitated group experiential workshops, and led advanced certification training in coaching and NLP.
KUMA HINA
Kumu Hina is a Native Hawaiian teacher, cultural practitioner and filmmaker who uses digital media to protect and perpetuate indigenous languages and traditions. She began her film work as a protagonist and educational advisor for the award-winning films Kumu Hina and A Place in the Middle, and received a National Education Association Human Rights Award, Native Hawaiian Educator of the Year and White House Champion of Change for the groundbreaking impact campaigns associated with those films. Continuing her journey to the other side of the lens, Kumu Hina produced the award-winning short Lady Eva and the PBS feature documentary Leitis in Waiting about her transgender sisters in the Kingdom of Tonga. Kapaemahu is her first film in Olelo Niihau, in which she is fluent. Hina is also a transgender health advocate, burial council chair, candidate for the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and composer of “Ku Haaheo E Kuu Hawaii,” the internationally known anthem for the protection of Mauna Kea.
KĒHAULANI KUPIHEA
Mauliola Ke‘ehi's Executive Director Kēhaulani Kupihea grew up fishing with her father and his parents, her grandparents, in the rich ocean waters of Ke‘ehi. Her genealogy ties her to this sacred place, and an ancestral calling led her to commit to steward and perpetuate Ke‘ehi, its people, places, practices, culture and history.
With a background in archaeology, research and Hawaiian cultural education, and a passion for ocean awareness, Kēhaulani began sharing the rich moʻolelo about Keʻehi 20 years ago, taking groups over to Mokauea Island to learn and experience all that Ke‘ehi has to offer.
To date, thousands of school groups, community members, and other volunteers have made the transformative journey to experience the healing waters of Ke‘ehi in the heart of Honolulu.
The legacy of this sacred place continues through Kēhaulani's family, as both her and her husband Kupihea have deep genealogical ties to this area. Kupiheaʻs tūtū Catherine Mahina Hōkū o Malamalama Kupihea Wilson was born in 1925 and raised on the papa of Keʻehi on the tidal island of Kahakaʻaulana in the Mokauea fishery.
Their son, Kā‘ei ‘ula ‘o Ahukini a La‘a is growing up steeped in the stories and practices of his ancestors.
Hiʻilani-Shibata
Hiʻilani Shibata, born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi is a life long learner and has been in the field of Hawaiian Culture Education for over 20 years. She discovered her kuleana, her lifeʻs privledge as a child through her Native Hawaiian grandmother and further developed her generational gifts when working at the Bishop Museum from 2000-2014. She has since graduated as a lomi practitioner under Ka Pā o Lonopūhā and a haku hoʻoponopono with the Mary Kawena Pukui genealogy. She is the co-founder of Ka Mahina Project where through the Native Hawaiian traditional moon phases, the project helps people heal through community, moʻolelo, stories, and Hawaiian values.
J.R. MOORHEAD
J.R. Moorhead was born and raised on the windward side of Oahu. He is a product of public education and graduated from Kalaheo Highschool. J.R. graduated college in 2001 with a Business Marketing degree from Colorado State University. He met his wife Michelle in 2001 at a backyard Waimanalo party. They have been in love and together ever since. J.R. grew up playing on Kailua Beach, and can still be found there on the weekends with his family. Michelle and J.R. have an 11 year old little girl named Devin and a 5-year-old boy named Hiro.
J.R. has been in construction most of his life. He was pouring concrete at 12 years old, jackhammering Pearl Harbor at 22, and was a skilled finish carpenter by 30. He now owns a successful award-winning construction company that he built by himself.
J.R. was mentored by Marshall Thurber, who was mentored by Buckminster Fuller. Buckminster Fuller believes that we are all astronauts on spaceship Earth and that we need to work together in order to succeed in life. J.R. feels the need to carry the torch that was passed to him from Marshall Thurber and carry on Bucky’s dream.
J.R’s current heroes are Hale Makua and Pilahi Paki. He believes he is being guided by them from behind the scenes. It is them who he wants to make proud by creating Kuana’ike.
JOHNELLe MaDERA
Johnelle Madera, was born and raised on the island of Oahu and moved to Maui in 2003. In 2004 she married Bruce Conching. In 2007 Bruce created a seminar series called Ike Pono and incorporated his 30 years of experience in the personal growth field to design an unique seminar that focuses on discovering who you really are and implements the values of Aloha and Pono as key foundations.
In 2009 and Ike Pono Quest, LLC was created and until 2015 she traveled with Bruce and assisted in facilitation of Ike Pono, through out the United States, Japan and the Philippines. Her desire to help and empower individuals also lead her to create a parenting and communication workshop based on ALOHA. She has also contributed of her time to non profit organizations, with the key focus on being ALOHA as a way of life.
Sam SoKOl
Sam Sokol is an expert in integrating technology and gamified learning to for the betterment of humanity. With his extensive experience in technology consulting, e-commerce, learning management systems, and online community development, Sam has helped numerous businesses and organizations to leverage technology for positive impact. Sam and his team partner with some of the world’s leading influencers, such as Deepak Chopra, and organizations like the United Nations, to create positive games like Graticube that benefit all of humanity. Through their work, they have helped entrepreneurs and high-performance teams to achieve their full potential through gamified learning. Graticube is a little game with a big heart that begins with curiosity, true stories and deep gratitude. Share as light as you wish, or go as deep as you desire, and experience accelerated heartfelt connection with those around you. The game is best enjoyed in 60-90 minutes with groups of 3-5 people. Each group will have a box of Graticube, which includes time & space dice as well as Story, Curiosity, and Gratitude cards. Sam will facilitate 2-3 rounds of play as well as the beloved “gift card round.” Graticube is a non-profit that serves to strengthen communities worldwide through facilitating authentic connection.
ROB YOUNG WALKER
Rob Young Walker is an acclaimed filmmaker, music artist, and social entrepreneur hailing from Tacoma, Washington. As the founder of Excuse My Accent, Rob masterfully blends storytelling with social advocacy, addressing critical social issues and fostering cultural understanding.
"Bring Them Home," Rob's debut film, delves into the poignant stories of deported veterans. The film has been celebrated with 17 film festival acceptances and four Best of The Fest awards. In highlight, the film was screened at the United States Capitol building in Washington DC with the support of prominent non-profits LULAC and ACLU. This advocacy resulted in 50 legislative meetings and the addition of 44 new co-sponsors for the Veterans Service Recognition Act.
In the music realm, Rob has made a significant impact as a hip-hop artist, using his music as a platform for social change. His hit single "Excuse My Accent" became a social justice anthem, amassing over 3 million views on YouTube. He recently released “Life Is 2020 in Hindsight” a collection of songs representing his experiences and emotions maneuvering the monumental time in history.
Rob's commitment to social advocacy is evident in his speaking engagements and collaborations with organizations such as the National Alliance of Mental Health, Pacific Lutheran University, and the Washington State Governor's Department of Equity. He also serves on the board of the non-profit Kuana'Ike in Hawaii and has held prestigious positions such as Film Festival Director of African Comic Con in Oakland, California, and film festival judge for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
RYAN SOUZA
A Country boy from Haleiwa, Oahu Ryan is a Kahu (Reverend), Entertainer, Artist, Husband, Father, and Ambassador of Aloha. Ryan is on a mission to share Aloha with the world through his varied gifts and spiritual understanding. Whether he is performing for 450 people a night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village or officiating a simple wedding with just the couple present the importance of expressing Aloha is non-negotiable. Ryan is so excited to be a part of Kuana’ike and looking forward to putting our intentions to action and truly creating a world of peace and harmony through Aloha.
Ashlee DiSalvo
Ashlee DiSalvo is a Transformational Coach and certified Spiritual Response Therapy (SRT) Practitioner who uses her intuition to offer guidance to all of her clients, encouraging them to move in a positive direction and face the challenges that may lie ahead of them. Ashlee offers long term mentorship for clients looking to make radical shifts in all aspects of their lives. She also offers detailed and highly accurate clearings to all clients who wish to experience Past Life Regression using a method called Spiritual Response Therapy.
Ashlee uses her training and techniques from 9 years as a Certified Educator to approach each Mentorship client and their needs from points of compassion and love. Having her M.A. in Education with a focus in Research allows her to use such expertise to hone in quickly on and efficiently discover limiting beliefs and blockages caused from trauma experienced in this lifetime. Her abilities as an energy worker and psychic help her to accurately access clients Akashic Records to further extend the clearing to release Karmic bonds and vows. With over a decade of coaching experience she helps to guide clients in a systematic way to continue their growth in mind, body, and soul. As a part of a broader network of healers she has the ability to recommend other practitioners from all walks of holistic care for the continuation of the clients mental and physical health.
Ms. DiSalvo is an award winning author. Being honored in the 2021 Global 500 list with Brainz Magazine for her contributions that year as an Executive Contributor. She also self - published her first book in 2023. Her guided journal "Amore - Find Your Love Pattern" provides a journey of self discovery and deeper connection all channeled for the collective. Through unique guided visualizations, one-of-a-kind journal prompts, hand crafted personality assessments and other unique techniques the reader will gain pieces to the puzzle which will ultimately form their Love Pattern. A riddle of the mind where the answers lay ready to be discovered - Amore is designed as a self-led practice from start to finish with suggested breaks and built in pacing to provide support as if you were working with a coach.