Kim has been happily married for 35 years to Rahira (La) Makekau (nee Turei). He is the father of 8 children and 23 grandchildren. He and La have resided in Lā’ie for the past 20 years.
He was born in Honolulu, Hawaiian Kingdom (HK), and raised in the United States. He returned to the HK in 1980, attended BYU–Hawaii, played on the 1981 Men's Volleyball Team and began a journey to 'discover' his roots. His ‘journey of discovery’ included learning Hawaiian culture and, rather unexpectedly, decades of learning within Te Ao Māori (the Māori World).
He immersed himself in Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language) within Kapa Haka (Performing Arts), Taonga Puoro (Musical Instruments) and Mau Rākau (Weaponry). He taught Te Reo Māori at Tongariro College and Tokoroa High School. As an adjunct faculty he has taught Te Reo Māori at BYU–Hawaii for 17 years.
He graduated from Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa (The International School of Māori Weaponry) in the first cohort of Pouwaru - Taura Pouwhakarae. He established the first overseas branch (Toi Hawaiki) of Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa, at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) in 1985 and continues to instruct tutors and students in the art of Mau Rākau.
He has been employed at the PCC for almost 40 years and is currently the Marae Manager of the Islands of Aotearoa. Te Reo Māori plays an important part of his daily life as he continues to share his experiences, skills and learning both in the classroom, community and on the marae.
EDUCATION
- B.A., University Studies (minors in Human Resource Development and Hawaiian Studies), Brigham Young University – Hawaii (2015)
- Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa (1996)
- Pouwaru - Taura Pouwhakarae (Graduate Title)
- Rākau Kawanui (Fighting Grade Title)
COURSES TAUGHT
- MAOR 101 - Elementary Māori Conversations and Grammar I **
- MAOR 102 - Elementary Māori Conversations and Grammar II
- MAOR 201 - Intermediate Māori Conversations and Grammar I
- MAOR 202 - Intermediate Māori Conversations and Grammar II
- MAOR 301 - Māori Oral Traditions
- HIST 495R - Independent Study
** – Courses being taught (Fall 2026)