Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu

Kathy Lawelani “Pupu” Booth-Catobus and her husband are business owners of a specialty contracting company in Hawai‘i. They live on the windward side of the island of O‘ahu.

Kathy started dancing hula as a child, around eight years old. The decision was made by her mother but she did not oppose it—it seemed very natural to learn hula. In May 1994, Kathy joined Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu while Kumu Hula Sonny Ching and the hālau were making history in Hilo at their very first Merrie Monarch Competition. Since then Kathy has had the opportunity to participate in hula competitions and shows in Hawai‘i, Japan, Washington D.C. and New York. Besides dancing hula, she was given the honor of assisting in the production of many of the hālau’s competition kahiko costumes. Kathy is also the female voice for some of the pre-recorded narrations in shows. In October 2011, Kathy became a part of the hālau’s new group of ‘ōlapa.

“Hula is one of many cultural art forms that links us together as a people. It is important that hula is preserved and nurtured for future generations to participate in and pass on. Being a member of Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu has opened doors of opportunity to learn more about our culture and introduced me to people that I now call my hula-family.”