Uncle George began his hula studies at the age of three and has dedicated his life to the hula arts. He is co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival and continues to provide inspiration and direction for numerous successful hula events and activities throughout the world. Uncle George is a master in the arrangement of the hula, old-time traditions and crafts, and the entertainments of song and dance. He is regarded as one of Hawaii's island treasures, a great and valuable authority and repository of hula lore, and one of the last living links to the spirits of old. Now at 79, Uncle George is passionately committed to creating Humu Mo'olelo Journal of the Hula Arts, Hale Kia`i O Nä Mea Hawai`i, a living cultural museum and hula center, where hula and its related arts can be celebrated, learned, shared, and preserved, and Holani, a hula archive and museum.

Chelle Shand holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and an MBA from Hawaii Pacific University and is working on PhD in Hospitality, Tourism and Marketing at Victoria University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to publishing Humu Mo'olelo Journal of the Hula Arts, Chelle is working closely with Uncle George to develop an Island-wide hula resource corridor, the George Naope Travel-to-Learn the Hula of Hawaii, the Hale Kia`i O Nä Mea Hawai`i cultural museum and hula center, and the Holani hula archive.

Joseph Nohea Kalima was born and raised in the Keaukaha Homesteads of Hilo. He grew up in a family that fostered and encouraged a deep appreciation of Hawaiian cultural arts, with a particular focus on music and hula. In turn, he enthusiastically passes this passion on to his four children. As a participant, instructor, and coach, surfing and canoe paddling have also played a significant role in his daily life. Joe Kalima's devotion to his homeland and culture are most strikingly expressed in his artwork, in a variety of graphic mediums.

Aaron Miyasato, began his printing & graphics design career at Aiea High School on Oahu where he served as editor in chief for both the high school newspaper and yearbook. While in High School, Aaron also worked as a commercial printer for Hawaii Times, Ltd. Aaron later founded Big Island Printer, Inc., and was a managing partner in Logistics, Inc., and Digital Printers of Hawaii. Aaron currently serves as Vice President of Productions at Lava Rock Printing & Graphics. Now, with over 30 years experience in the printing industry, Aaron is superbly qualified to ensure the highest quality prodution and efficient publication of Humu Moolelo Journal of the Hula Arts.

Neil Crabtree currently serves as Executive Vice President for Team International Consulting Group, a private consulting firm that provides operations and financial management advice on developmental projects and to developmental companies throughout the world. Neil received his Juris Doctorate, MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Management of Technologies from the University of Utah where he was named the outstanding MBA graduate in 1999. He also holds a BS degree in Production and Operations Management from Weber State University, graduating Magna Cum Lade. Neil has previously served in executive positions and provided managerial consulting services to companies throughout the U.S., Mexico, Europe, and Asia.

Joshua Noe'au Kalima, was born into the hula arts and began his formal study of the dance, chants and music at the age of four under the instruction of Iwalani Kalima in Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E. Noeau attended Kula Kaiapuni O Keaukaha Hawaiian emersion school for six years. He participated in the Merrie Monarch Festival under the direction of Kumu Hula Ray Fonseca and Hula Halau O Kahikilaulani in 2002 and 2003. Noeau is currently studying music and aspires to receive a Hoku award.

Ka’iulani Poderick holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah where she was awarded the Order of the Coif. Ka’iulani is a professional writer and has served as editor in chief for numerous journals and publications. While she currently lives in Maryland with her daughter, Katherine, Ka’iulani maintains close contacts with her family in Hawai’i. She is an avid researcher of Hawaiian history and continues to hold a deep appreciation and understanding of Hawaiian culture and the hula arts.

Nicole Charon was born and raised on the island of Hawai’i where she is currently raising her two year old daughter Aliyah Kawaipilialoha. She has danced hula for more than nine years under the instruction of Kumu Hula Ray Fonseca and Halau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani. Along with the Halau she has had three opportunities to successfully compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival. Nicole has an extensive background in data base management and internet marketing. She manages circulation and sales for Humu Mo’olelo.