Our team
At Hale Mua Cultural Group, our team combines expertise in traditional arts, public service, and mental health to revitalize and educate about Hawaiian culture. Our diverse skills in financial management, real estate development, and therapeutic practices support and sustain our community initiatives. Driven by a shared commitment to preserve and celebrate our heritage, we enable individuals of all ages to connect with their ancestral roots. Together, we are building a vibrant future, deeply rooted in the rich traditions of our past
Pōmaikaʻi Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Pomaika'i Brown stands at the helm of Hale Mua Cultural Group as its esteemed CEO, channeling his profound lineage and adoration for the Hawaiian Islands into the preservation and celebration of our rich cultural heritage. A graduate of Hawaii Pacific College, Brown's career is a testament to over twenty years of unwavering commitment to Hawaiian traditions, leading with the principles of 'ohana and community. His endeavors, from teaching the art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Ipu Pawehe and Ulana ʻIe to revitalizing sacred sites, are fueled by the desire to inspire our youth to embrace and perpetuate our legacy with pride and passion. Brown's leadership not only revives but also strengthens the bonds to our heritage, urging us to join him in safeguarding the identity and vitality of our people and land.
Renson Madarang
Chief Operations Officer
With multi-faceted experience focusing on non-profit administration for culture and the performing arts, Renson has spent his professional career uplifting and celebrating the diversity of contemporary Hawaiʻi culture through means that honor, preserve, and perpetuate the depth and breadth of Hawaiian culture. Renson currently focuses on the need to impart knowledge through voice, both figuratively and literally. His interpretive work for the U.S. Department of the Interior (National Park Service) and the State of Hawaiʻi places Renson in front of audiences as an orator. In studio he supports Hawaiʻi’s cultural and entertainment scene as a singing voice specialist, with award-winning clients sharing Hawaiʻi-based music around the world.
Russell Paio
Chief Financial Officer
Russell Kuulani Paio, our Chief Financial Officer, brings to Hale Mua Cultural Group a legacy of service and expertise in financial management. A resident of Laʻi ʻōpua, Kailua Kona, and hailing from Kapaʻahu, Kalapana, Paio's educational achievements include an AS Degree in Police Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. His distinguished career in public service spans over 25 years with the Hawaii County Police Department. Currently, Paio oversees our financial strategies, aiming for growth and income while managing risks prudently. His leadership extends across multiple non-profit organizations, demonstrating a commitment to community wellness, cultural preservation, and financial stewardship.
Byron Moku
Chief Investment Officer
Byron Kumulani Moku, our Chief Investment Officer, integrates a wealth of experience in hospitality, real estate development, and community service with his artistic passion. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools and Iowa State University, Moku has significantly contributed to the fields of food & beverage and hotel management until 2001, alongside excelling in real estate development. His dedication to enhancing youth, community wellness, and cultural preservation through various non-profits is commendable. Moku, a lifelong artist and family man, enriches our organization with creativity and a deep-rooted commitment to the values we hold dear.
Kanani Baker
Administrative Director
Kanani Baker, a dedicated Mental Health Therapist, serves our community from his private practice in the Kingdom of Hawai'i, with a focus on aiding those in greatest need, especially within the Native Hawaiian population. Baker combines traditional therapies with insights from Native Hawaiian perspectives, offering a unique approach to addressing everyday challenges. His educational journey took him from Castle High School through Windward Community College and Hawai'i Pacific University, culminating in a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University. Baker's rich background includes roles as an Academic Advisor, Mental Health and Career Counselor, and Instructor within the University of Hawai'i Community College system, and teaching Stress Management to Native Hawaiian Inmates. Residing in Kailua, O’ahu, he continues his vital work as a Mental Health Therapist.
Kimo Perry
Secretary
Kimo Perry, serving as Secretary, brings his dedication to education and Hawaiian culture to the forefront of Hale Mua Cultural Group. As a scholarship coordinator within the University of Hawaiʻi system, Perryʻs influence extends into our community through his active involvement with numerous non-profit organizations. Notably, his role as Kakaolelo for the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Chapter#3, “Kaumualii” underscores his commitment to cultural stewardship and leadership. Specializing in K-12 and post-high education, Perry has played an active role in advocating for the Hawaiian language and culture across generations. His foundational work with Supporting the Language of Kauaʻi, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Hawaiian language and culture on Kauaʻi, highlights his commitment to our heritage. Furthermore, Perryʻs instrumental role in establishing Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School, serving as its first Board President from 2008 to 2014, helped to create a culturally rich learning environment for students as part of the broader movement to achieve greater educational self-determination for Native Hawaiians.