Nālani Kanakaʻole, a fifth-generation loea hula, died Jan. 3 in Hilo. She was 79.
She was the youngest daughter of Edith Kanakaʻole, the founder of Hālau o Kekuhi and for whom the stadium used for Merrie Monarch is named. She also co-founded Sig Zane Designs in 1985 with her husband, Sig Zane. Their son, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, was recently named chief executive officer of the design firm, which creates clothing inspired by Hawaiian plants, moʻolelo and symbols that share Hawaiian stories across the world.
Nālani Kanakaʻole began rigorous training in hula when she was just 3 years old under her grandmother, Mary Kekuewa Kanaele Fujii, and later under her mother. By the time she was 14 years old, she was teaching. She spent nearly seven decades sharing cultural knowledge through mastery of mele oli, or chanted poetry, and vigorous ʻaihaʻa-style dance.
Nālani Kanakaʻole spent nearly seven decades sharing cultural knowledge through mastery of mele oli, or chanted poetry, and vigorous ʻaihaʻa-style dance. (Courtesy of ʻOhana Zane) 
Nālani Kanakaʻole co-led Hālau o Kekuhi with her sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, and later her niece, Huihui Kanahele-Mossman. (Courtesy of ʻOhana Zane) 
In late November, Nālani Kanakaʻole and her sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, were among the honorees recognized by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts with lifetime achievement awards for their dedication to preserving and advancing traditional Hawaiian chant, mele, and performance. (Courtesy of ʻOhana Zane) 
Kanakaʻole is survived by her husband, Sig Zane; son, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane (Shaelene Kamakaʻala); grandchildren, Loliʻi Kamakaʻala Barron and Nāholowaʻa Zane; sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele; niece and co-kumu hula Huihui Kanahele-Mossman; and the extended Kanakaʻole, Kanahele and Zane ʻohana, along with the students who continue to carry on her teachings. (Courtesy of ʻOhana Zane)
Kanakaʻole co-led Hālau o Kekuhi with her sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, and later her niece, Huihui Kanahele-Mossman.
She was born in Keaukaha, Hilo, and was raised in a traditional Hawaiian household on homestead lands, where she was immersed from childhood in the language, protocols and practices of her ancestors.
In 1993, Kanakaʻole and her sister were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment of the Arts, in recognition of their lifelong commitment to preserving indigenous Hawaiian chant and dance.
She was a storyteller and hula master. Kanakaʻole also lectured in Hawaiian Studies and authored works on hula and design, as well as scripted performances.
In late November, the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts, which gives out the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, honored Kanakaʻole family’s contributions to Hawaiian music and culture. Nālani and her sister, Pualani, were among the honorees recognized with lifetime achievement awards for their dedication to preserving and advancing traditional Hawaiian chant, mele, and performance.
Kanakaʻole is survived by her husband, Sig Zane; son, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane (Shaelene Kamakaʻala); grandchildren, Loliʻi Kamakaʻala Barron and Nāholowaʻa Zane; sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele; niece and co-kumu hula Huihui Kanahele-Mossman; and the extended Kanakaʻole, Kanahele and Zane ʻohana, along with the students who continue to carry on her teachings.
Details on the memorial service will be announced later.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
