Kristen Ferrer

“Iʻve danced on the Merrie Monarch stage many times over the years, but this year was an especially beautiful experience. I have endless love and gratitude for my kumu, hālau, and hula sisters.”

Hometown

ʻAiea, Oʻahu (currently live in Pauoa, Oʻahu)

Department

School of Teacher Education - Elementary

COE Degrees
MEd in Educational Administration (Higher Education)
PhD in Educational Foundations Student

Congratulations! Your Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela won “first place wahine overall” as well as the overall competition at the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival. Tell us more about it.
My participation in Merrie Monarch had absolutely nothing to do with me individually. My kumu hula are Kumu Kunewa Mook, Kumu Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo, and the late Kumu Paleka Leinaʻala Mattos of Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela. My dancing in the competition line is just a small speck of participation, but itʻs the only one that most folks see. The real mahalo goes to Kumu Kauʻi for his clear vision and leadership, our hoʻopaʻa who were also at every practice, and our many hālau kōkua that do the organizational heavy lifting behind the scenes. Iʻve danced on the Merrie Monarch stage many times over the years, but this year was an especially beautiful experience. I have endless love and gratitude for my kumu, hālau, and hula sisters. We did end up winning first place wahine overall and the overall competition, which we are very proud of! But winning is beside the point. As long as we brought our kumuʻs vision to life and he is proud of what we showcased on stage, that is all that matters.

When did you begin hula? What does it mean to you?
I started hula in the late 1990s with Aunty Paleka. Growing up, I was very shy and soft-spoken, but hula really helped me to find my confidence. Like the ʻōlelo noʻeau says, “ʻAʻa i ka hula, waiho ka hilahila ma ka hale” which means dare to dance, leave your shyness at home. I feel very fortunate to be living in a time where hula is an available and accessible cultural practice. I am not kānaka ʻōiwi, but I believe that by living on this ʻaina, I have a kuleana to learn as much as I can about the history, language, and culture of this land and its people. And with that learning comes a higher level of understanding and respect for this beautiful and unique place I call home.

Honestly, hula is everything to me. I think hula is the lens through which I view the world around me. I love being able to express a full story without saying anything. Hula is a perfect blend of many different Hawaiian cultural practices, like ʻoli (chant), mele (song), ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), lei and costume-making, and honoring the history of the people and places of Hawaiʻi, especially the aliʻi (royalty). And in hālau, values like discipline, teamwork, respect, and humility are upheld for everyone involved.

Are there other organizations or clubs you are involved with?
I am currently an active senator with the UH Mānoa Staff Senate, and I would encourage any Mānoa civil service or APTs interested in advocating for staff to get involved!

What drew you to the COE?
My ʻohana has emphasized the importance of education my entire life, and I have always been interested and involved in the field of education. I used to volunteer at a few local preschools, and I was a part-time SAT tutor for a while before getting hired in the UH system. I am so appreciative to be in such a supportive and inclusive department and college. I wear many hats as a full-time partner, mother, and COE staff, and part-time grad student, so the support here really does make all the difference!

Anything else you would like to include?
Just that I am grateful to be able to pursue my academic and career goals all in one awesome place!