Since the 1980s, Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang has passed down to Mid-Pacific students a core principle he learned from his own mentors: Hula is life. Through the Pūpūkahi I Ke Alo Nā Pua program, Casupang offers far more than dance instruction. He teaches students about culture, language and values that help shape them into compassionate, world-ready individuals.
“Our program is not really about hula, but how hula can benefit a young adult, and being able to take those lessons learned through hula and apply them to every aspect of their life,” Casupang said.
A $250,000 gift from Dr. Stephen Gainsley and Mrs. Gloria Kosasa Gainsley—parents of Christian Gainsley ’00—to the Pūpūkahi Endowment will sustain that vision. This generous support will ensure that the “hula is life” philosophy—along with the learning experiences it inspires—endures in perpetuity.
“Being able to pass that on to the students is a valuable opportunity, and this gift allows us to do that even more,” Casupang said. “Learning about the culture is essential to respecting the land we’re privileged to live on. Understanding the history and values of this place helps us show that respect and perpetuate traditions that may have been lost.”
For Gloria Kosasa Gainsley, the gift carries a personal connection: She herself dances hula.
Kosasa Gainsley began dancing at a young age and continued through the years, taking classes from respected kumu and developing a lifelong appreciation for the art form. That early exposure left a lasting impression that continues to shape how she sees the value of hula in education today.
“Mid-Pacific was instrumental in our son’s education, and Hawaiian culture, especially hula, has been instrumental in my life,” Kosasa Gainsley said. “By supporting the Pūpūkahi endowment fund, Kumu Hula Lanakila can continue to educate his students in Hawaiian language, traditions and dance at a high level.”
For nearly four decades, Pūpūkahi has been a cornerstone of Mid-Pacific’s commitment to Hawaiian cultural education, integrating hula training into the school’s curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12.
Through Pūpūkahi, students learn the techniques of hula dancing while also immersing themselves in cultural practices and traditions. For example, they make their own lei for performances, gaining hands-on experiences in caring for the plants for those lei and respectfully returning them to nature. They also study the art of feather lei making, which is often incorporated into their costumes. Casupang frequently invites cultural practitioners to share their expertise—a resource he considers invaluable.
Casupang said the endowment will help expand these kinds of opportunities. It will also provide additional travel experiences, which he believes is a vital component of how students learn best.
In the past, Casupang has taken his students to a variety of locations, from the neighbor islands to international destinations like New Zealand and Japan.
On the neighbor islands, students connect with other hālau, share and learn different hula styles, chant about the places they visit, and give back to the communities that host them. On international trips, students gain a richer understanding of other cultures while sharing hula on a broader and highly impactful level.
“It’s really about giving students experiences they can’t have in the classroom—taking them out into the world where they can learn about different places and connect with people who truly love where they’re from,” Casupang said. “These trips give us the opportunity to expand what they’re learning here and help it come to life.”
Reflecting on the lasting impact of the Gainsleys’ gift, Casupang expressed deep gratitude for the support.
“I feel very fortunate,” Casupang said. “This large gift can benefit those in school now and future generations. Even when I’m not here, that gift will continue to benefit Pūpūkahi students in different ways.”
The Gainsleys’ gift subsidizes a portion of Pūpūkahi’s budget in perpetuity. Their generosity stands as a testament to the importance of arts education and highlights the power of philanthropy in sustaining cultural programs.
“It is our hope that those who have experienced the value of Pūpūkahi in their lives, will join us in growing the endowment and, in doing so, furthering Kumu Hula Lanakila’s vision to perpetuate hula at Mid-Pacific and in Hawai‘i,” Kosasa Gainsley said.
If you would like to support Pūpūkahi, visit midpac.edu/giving or contact Heidi Kim, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships.