Meet Nola Nāhulu

ACDA has helped my career immensely. I was lucky to meet the founders of our HI-ACDA chapter just as I returned from my undergraduate work. They gave me the “lay of the land” and has supported my growth ever since. Being connected with the chapter allowed for my connections to blossom.

There are a few projects I am currently working on, stemming back a couple of years. In the summer of 2025, I was working on “Scales” by Tonia Ko, an alumni of the Hawaiʻi Youth Opera Chorus. The piece is about dragons who live on the island of Maui in human form. By their scales (tatto), we can tell what their “special powers” are. In May 2026, I’ll be involved in a project called Kamalehua/Sheltering Tree which is about Timoteo (Kauikeauʻoli’s Emissary) trip to Europe to secure sovereignty. And lastly, over the years of 2023-2026, I spent time creating a source of David Kalama’s Sacred transcriptions and compositions at Kawaiahaʻo Church. The committee includes me, along with Mailelauliʻi Naki, Phil Hidalgo, Justin Kaʻupu, Buddy Naluaʻi, and Aaron Mahi.

Over my career, there have been several highlights. One that I’m fond of is the debut of Herb Mahelona’s a cappella Hawaiian oratorio “Kinohi.” Another highlight would have to be conducting Faure’s “Requiem” at Dale Noble’s Memorial Service.