More About MIKA

Kamalei Brandon is the Pilimakua Family Connections Director at Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services as well as a Kanaka Maoli Doula and Indigenous Lactation Counselor. As a Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian makuahine (mother), she has a strong passion for early childhood education and perinatal mental health rooted in culture/language reclamation and sustainability work for our Indigenous communities. Kamalei works at the Native Family Learning Lodge as a Teaching Aunty, specifically working on supporting Indigenous families in integrating our Indigenous languages into a classroom setting. She has been working diligently for over 2 years to reclaim ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in her own ʻohana after a two-generation removal of the language. She is still building her own fluency, but loves supporting other Kānaka Maoli ʻohana in their journeys while practicing herself. Kamalei hopes to help other Indigenous parents preserve their language/culture despite being disconnected from their 'āina (land).

Aloha mai kākou, ‘O Henrylyn Kauʻi Auwae ko’u inoa. He keiki o ka ʻĀina o Moku ʻO Keawe, Hawai’i. Hello everyone, my name is Henrylyn Kau’i Auwae. I am a child of the island of Keawe, Hawai’i. I am a Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiian, Cultural Practitioner and Educator, owner of a Kanaka Maoli healing and wellness business, Ola Mai I Loko Mai here in Seattle. I am a mother of five amazing young adults, an intuitive Kanaka Maoli Lomi practitioner (massage therapist), facilitator of healing through my ancestors, devoted hula teacher for my Hula Grannies, and hula student of Halau Hula Ka Lei Mokihana I Ka Ua Noe. I am passionate about sharing my traditional culture and beliefs with our communities and greater global community. I am currently serving as an Elder and Cultural Advisor for Pacific Community Health Board and Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services. As well as a Co-Chair for Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group at BECU. It is truly an honor to be here with all of you.