Mikiʻala Wills | Leo Kupa Season 2, Episode 2

Mikiʻala Wills is a young Hawaiian living in Las Vegas who carries the spirit of her homeland in everything she does. Far from the shores of Hawaiʻi, she speaks ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) fluently, dances hula with deep intentionality, and embraces traditional Hawaiian cultural practices as a form of natural healing — a way of staying rooted, whole, and connected to her identity while navigating life in the desert. For Mikiʻala, culture is not performance, it is medicine. Hula is prayer. Language is breath. Her story reflects the quiet, daily courage of a young Hawaiian woman choosing to live her culture fully, even thousands of miles from home. This Leo Kupa Podcast Series explores the vibrant heartbeat of Hawaiian culture thriving in Las Vegas — the place Hawaiians lovingly call the Ninth Island. Through intimate conversations with practitioners, elders, and community builders, we journey into what it means to carry the sacred traditions of Hawaiʻi across the ocean and into the desert, keeping them alive with reverence, resilience, and aloha. Follow us on Instagram: Hui Mauli Ola Leo Kupa Podcast Visit our website: huimauliola.org  Support us with a donation Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeoKupa_Podcast  Mahalo to the sponsors of this episode: Tizzles' Grindz Waiakea Water This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant number MN-252929-OMS-23. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This project received support from Papa Ola Lōkahi through the Makamaka Ola program. We gratefully acknowledge their generous funding, which helps us continue uplifting Native Hawaiian voices and traditional healing practices through the Leo Kupa Las Vegas series.