Kahikina Juan of the group Nā Wai ʻEhā, was born and raised on the island of Maui surrounded by Hawaiian music and hula. His grandparents, Kumu Hula Nina Maxwell and Charlie Maxwell Sr., made sure that he was always involved in Hawaiian culture. This was especially important to them because they were immersed in hula and culture, teaching and sharing through their hālau Pukalani Hula Hale. Kahikina’s mother, Kumu Hula Hiʻilei Maxwell-Juan continues the hālau today and remains a big influence in his life.
After graduating from the Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, Kahikina continued his academic journey at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. There he obtained a BA in Communications with a focus in PR and a minor in Hawaiian Language. He was also able to take more haku mele classes under the mentorship of Dr. Keawe Lopes.
Kahikina continues to stay connected to hula even when he is not on his home island of Maui as a haumana of Kumu Hula Chinky Māhoe and Kawailiʻulā. He works as a Benefits Advisor with Aflac and enjoys helping individuals and businesses with their benefits. His musical influences are Nā Palapalai, Uncle Richard Hoʻopiʻi, Lena Machado, and Johnny Almeda just to name a few.
KAHIKINA’S KANILE`A OF CHOICE
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