Mo'omeheu a Mo'okūauhau

As a young child, I often sat with my Tutu Nani and listened to her tell stories of her ancestors. My learning about genealogy began with her, and I fell in love with everyone she spoke about. In 1992, I stayed with my grand uncle, Alfred Benjamin Kameeiamoku Rodrigues, at his home in Maunawili, Oahu, where he led me through a series of genealogy discussions about our Mahoe and Kaawa family. During the summer of 1994, I began hosting ancestry search, or genealogy, workshops at the Hawaii State Archives for Kanaka Maoli who were challenged by colonialism and the requirement to document their blood quantum for housing, land, benefits, and other resources. That same year, I co-founded the Reverend Joel Hulu Mahoe Resource Center with my grand aunt, Mildred Kealiiheleaupuni Aiu Rasmussen. This center aimed to close the equity gaps in archives, libraries, and museum research and to develop information literacy skills for our Kanaka Maoli. Our purpose was to connect our people to the archival records detailing information related to land and genealogy. This marked the beginning of my professional career as a genealogist. Click below for my Professional Resume.

Documenting ~ Research ~ Discovery

Papa moʻokūʻauhau - Papa Malo (Advanced) Students

Master Series Session: The Art of Hawaiian Genealogy (December 2024)

I held a four day genealogy seminar with my Papa ʻĪʻī (beginning) and Papa Malo (advanced) students. I led these students through the ten-cosmogonic genealogies, traditional genealogy chants, and modern research techniques. Photograph courtesy of LilyMarleen Uta'i who showcases our new Papa Malo class. The following individuals participated in their ʻūniki (graduation) and hōʻike (presentation), L-R: Zachary Payne, Iwalani Kaai Dalrymple, Olepa and Anela Malepe, Analū Cruze, Ember Tom, Kauluahi Tom, Kauilani Tom, and Kula MacDonald. Not in photograph are Patrick Iona, Kahea Like, and Kahai MacDonald.

Papahana Kuaola, Pili Ka Moo Program - Waipao, Heeia, Koolaupoko, Oahu, Hawaii

Makua Mentoring: The Art of Hawaiian Genealogy(2023-Present)

Analū Kameeiamoku Josephides Cruze leads makua and kupuna through the Art of Hawaiian Genealogy, a mentoring program that he founded. One of the Makua Mentoring goals is to train Kanaka Maoli in genealogy in the way he was taught by his Mahoe and Kaawa elders.

Kamehameha Schools - Hawaii Island Campus Ohana Presence

Genealogy as the Foundation of Learning (September 2022)

In a 4-part Genealogy series, Kamehameha Schools will host workshops that help to support their student family communities all centered around researching your roots. I will continue to teach on the three "M's", Mookuauhau, Moolelo, and Moomeheu. Learners will also be introduced to another grouping of concepts to help guide them during their research, which takes an aboriginal, indigenous, and native approach to learning, these are, Makaala, Akahele, and Makawalu. A Native Hawaiian Information Literacy framework will be applied to the research process helping students identify quality and valid resources that support their genealogy.

PBS Finding Your Roots (2017)

I worked as the genealogist documenting Janet Mock's Hawaiian ancestry. Thank you to my assistant genealogist Tasha Tavares and the Pomaika'i family of Waianae who contributed greatly. A special thank you goes to the University of Hawaii's - Hamilton Library, the Hawaii State Public Library, and the Hawaii State Archives for providing access to valuable records. You will read my name in the credits at the end of season 4, episode 4: The Vanguard.

Lauded Genealogical Literacy Program (2007)

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) wrote a beautiful article speaking about the creation of the Reverend Joel Hulu Mahoe Resource Center. OHA called the Mahoe Resource Center the states most lauded genealogical literacy programs (2007). Hover over picture to right and link to article or click on the following link to access article https://kwo.oha.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/KA_WAI_OLA_200705.pdf

Elders Gather Around Historical Records (2005)

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) wrote a beautiful article speaking about the Reverend Joel Hulu Mahoe Resource Center. In the picture you will find one of my favorite human beings Kupuna Lehua McColgan and next to her is Mary Ululani Chu-Hing. Hover over the picture to the left and link to article or click on the following link to access article https://kwo.oha.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/KA_WAI_OLA_200507.pdf

ʻImi Naʻauao Lecture Series: Moʻokūʻauhau (2002)

Lessons on Moʻokūʻauhau (Genealogy) from Analū Cruze of Waiʻanae, Oʻahu, provide insights into Polynesian origins. His teachings include not only human ancestors but all of creation, tracing back to pō (darkness) and ao (light). Created and filmed by Dawn Aloha Kekoʻolani.