Cody Pueo Pata
Name Cody Pueo Pata
Social Media @kumupu
Age 46
Town/Moku Nāpuʻeokalani, Kula, Maui (a.k.a. Pukalani)
Island Maui
Leadership Category Culture
Nominated by Uʻi Tanigawa Lum
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do. I am the Kumu Hula of Ka Malama Mahilani, a classically trained Haku Mele, and an entertainer and musician of Hawaiian music. I am also an educator and contractor for language and culture.
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community? The 7 late masters who trained me trusted me as a vessel for their love, time, and knowledge. None of what they poured into me actually "belongs" to me, it is meant to benefit Hawaiʻi nei and the world. I always feel fulfilled when their ʻike lives on through the projects I'm involved with.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life. "E mākaukau a mikimiki, e mikioi a maiau. – Be deft, fastidious, thorough, and efficient." I try to live in ways that I feel are founded in my core values.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing? My parents, Ric and Debbie Pata; my 7 masters, Nona Mahilani Kaluhiokalani, Diane Nāpua Amadeo, George Nāʻope, Keʻala Kūkona, Jay Jay Ahulau Akiona, Eleanor Kaʻupu Makida, and Hilda Keanaʻāina; my partner, Keoni Kuoha; and, my nieces, nephews, and haumāna.
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui? Recovery of sense-of-community, and the healing and balance of self-esteem.
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui? Division