Kahealani Kamahele
Kahealani Kamahele is an accomplished educator and customer service professional with a strong background in Hawaiian cultural arts and organizational leadership. She currently serves as a Customer Service Agent at Alaska Airlines, where she ensures smooth operations in ticketing, check-in, baggage handling, and passenger assistance, consistently delivering exceptional experiences to travelers. Her career reflects a dedication to service, precision, and fostering positive interactions in high-paced environments. Beyond her work in aviation, Kahealani is a passionate advocate for Hawaiian culture and dance. As Director and Choreographer of Halau Hula O Kahealani, she has developed and implemented cultural dance programs for students of all ages, guiding them through both kahiko and auana styles while teaching the history, language, and traditions of Hawaii. She has also been an Adjunct Faculty member at Loyola Marymount University, where she instructs accredited courses in Hawaiian dance, ensuring that students receive a rich, educational, and engaging experience. Kahealani’s professional journey is complemented by her academic achievements, including a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. She brings a unique blend of cultural expertise, leadership, and educational insight to every role she undertakes, earning recognition for her ability to inspire, guide, and empower those around her. Her work exemplifies the integration of cultural heritage, education, and customer-centered service in both professional and community settings.
• Stress management: Certificate of Completion
• Google Forms Essential Training
• Chapman University, Organizational Leadership, MA
• Kulia I Ka Punawai
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in the support of my family, the wisdom of the teachers who have walked with me through my hula journey, and the shared foundations of inspiration that so many people draw upon.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
In all my years of teaching, I have learned many things and received quite a bit of advice. The best career advice I have ever received was from Kumu Hula, Hōkulani Holt. "To be a Kumu Hula is to know tha you have a love for hula and Hawaiian culture and a need to share that. That is the foundation of it all."
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Teaching any form of cultural dance requires deep research and a genuine commitment to understanding the history, language, and stories of the people. My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay connected to their roots and to cultivate a strong sense of identity as they grow.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Competition in business is intense, and as a woman entrepreneur, balancing the many responsibilities that come with leadership can be challenging. In cultural dance, I also face the increasing commercialism of hula. One of my greatest challenges has been correcting misconceptions about hula while preserving its cultural integrity and teaching hula from a cultural perspective. This means, sharing the stories, the history and the language of the people.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values I prioritize in both my professional and personal life are a commitment to family and a dedication to leading with integrity..
Locations
Hālau Hula O Kāhealani
Torrance, CA 90504