‘Ihilani Gutierrez
Executive Assistant & Events Manager
Born into the eastern valleys of Oʻahu, ʻIhilani was raised there as well as the north and eastern rivers of Kauaʻi. After completing her B.A. in Hawaiian Literature at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ʻIhilani was called to Hale Aliʻi O ʻIolani (ʻIolani Palace) where she became the first Education Manager in the non-profits history. As a long time advocate for Hawaiian Education, she has presented at various Education Summits across the country, presenting Hawaiʻi’s history through curriculum, poetry, & music.
Following the Friends of ʻIolani Palace, ʻIhilani joined Mana Maoli in February of 2021. She now serves as the Executive Assistant and Events Manager of Mana Maoli where she oversees our Mana Mele Project & Mana Maoli events as well as supports the Executive Director. She has coordinated dozens of events & music videos with over a 100 of Mana Maoli’s Collective of artists, videographers, and engineers.
Pua Perkins
Executive Assistant
Pua Perkins was born and raised in Lahaina, Maui and is a 2011 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus. In that same year, she moved to Oʻahu to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In 2015, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hawaiian Language.
Since graduating, Pua has worked in the education field as a teacher with ʻAha Pūnana Leo, the Hawaiʻi DOE, as well as Kamehameha Schools and has also worked for her church in the music and media department. Today, she continues her passions in Hawaiian language, music and multimedia as a musician, songwriter, and producer.
Pua is married to her husband Elijah and together they have 2 sons, Manaia and Elia who will be born in December 2022.