316. Warrior Women: Empowering Hawaiian Tradition of Lua for Future Generations. Michelle Manu

Having mastery over ourselves is crucial, and Michelle Manu, our guest today, is empowering women to embrace control. It's important to recognize that we possess more power than we often realize. Michelle is breaking down the stereotypes surrounding female warriors and remains steadfast in her convictions. The strength of our beliefs holds tremendous influence.  Better Call Daddy: The Safe Space for Controversy.

On this episode of Better Call Daddy, Michelle Manu discusses the cultural practice of the warrior art, lua, and its historical biases towards Hawaiian women. Michelle is highly proficient in all weapons and aims to empower more people in practicing lua to keep the cultural practice alive. Michelle emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the power of metaphysics to understand oneself. She believes in the power of thoughts and affirmations to manifest desires and emphasizes the need to shield oneself from negative energy and stimulating external factors. Michelle advocates for non-attachment and transparency in dealing with grief and attachment. Lastly, she expresses her journey and challenges in finding mentors for her cultural background.

Michelle Manu is internationally known for her accomplishments as a 10th Degree Black Belt, Alihikaua(General), and Kumu Lua(teacher) of the indigenous Hawai’ian cultural practice and martial, the Lua (Kaihewalu and Manu lineages). Kumu Manu is currently the only high-ranking female teacher of this art and currently the only public representative of a Hawai’ian woman warrior in over 200 years. She is presently the only woman to be given the designation of “Knight Commander” of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (O’ahu Chapter), for her continued work in protecting, promoting, and perpetuating the Hawai’ian culture through the Lua.

Previously Kumu Manu toured the Midwest as a professional Polynesian Hula dancer and choreographer for ten years (1990-2000). Today she uses the Hula dance to teach Lua as she believes it is essential for timing, balance, placement, and micro-body movements during close-quarters combat. This is what Kumu Manu teaches at UCLA, and in her system – Nā Koa (The Warriors) and Pā Lua O Manu. She began working with Honolulu Community College in the Native Hawai’ian Program in 2022.

Using the Lua and Hula, Kumu Manu teaches self-protection to people in high-risk environments such as pilots and flight attendants, real estate professionals, healthcare professionals, university students, adult entertainers, women experiencing domestic violence and homelessness, and everyday women. Kumu Manu’s required system of study also includes ways of the ancient warrior: metaphysical science (Pohihihi), warrior massage (Lualomi or Lomilomi Koa), and wellness (Olakino) and conditioning (Ho’olā’au).

Kumu Manu has been a legal professional for twenty-six years. She has earned a Juris Doctorate (JD), business credentials from George Washington University, business credentials from Harvard Business School and George Washington University, a master’s degree in Metaphysical Science (MMsc), and is a 2023 candidate for a PhD in Philosophy with an emphasis in personal transformation.

Kumu Manu has been featured in magazines such as: Black Belt Magazine, Hawaiian Airlines Hana Hou!, Martial Arts Xperience, Inside Kung Fu, Sports Illustrated, Martial Arts Masters Magazine, Seni Beladiri (Malaysia), Tae Kwon Do Times (Korea), USAdojo.com, KenpoGirl, Herstory, Martial Arts Illustrated UK, Warrior Magazin (Germany), Martial Journal, Immersion Labs, and El Camino The Way(Spain). Some of the noteworthy awards she has been given:

2016 Hall of Fame Inductee
Martial Arts History Museum
2006 Inductee
Masters Hall of Fame 2017 Inductee
Argentina Martial Arts Hall of Fame
2017 Woman of the Year
Kenpo International Association

 

 
CBS VAWA:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/violence-against-women-act-self-defense-lua-michelle-manu/#x
 
Office of Hawaiian Affairs:
https://kawaiola.news/moomeheu/the-enduring-legacy-of-female-warriors/
 
Martial Arts History Museum this AANHPI Heritage Month:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/martial-arts-history-museum-celebrate-211800170.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMahLf77FhkZbi4XAzoYkxTa7Q6yQua6DhgpTni8sB16LbLyBcSBkvE_vq0E7VaRY4XVkZnE3_uRdnEYiwmTeE2QmgJj-PT2iwFwlrli8g6U3kdMqyOUzR3Xvsk_aeHkJSkbNQaL6WRkATLSIUzOvpxSoJgyBgUL2Xzab8_by3T7 
 

Keynote speaker for Kimberly Clark Corporation on May 22 for AANHPI Month. 
 
Websites:
michellemanu.com
nakoawahine.org
 

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