Meet Hilary Ann Kaʻanohiwaiānuenue Aipa – or simply “Kaʻanohi.” Born and raised in the beautiful beach town of Kailua, O‘ahu, Ka’anohi still calls it home. Alongside her husband, she’s had the joy of raising three sons in this special place that continues to inspire her every day.
Kaʻanohi’s connection to Hawaiian culture runs deep. Immersed in hula and Hawaiian music from birth, she had the privilege of learning from legendary kumu hula and musicians such as Mama Caroline Tuck, Aunty Aloma Kadooka, Aunty Bella Richards, Aunty Edith Kanakaʻole, Aunty Irmgard Aluli, Aunty Nalani Olds, Kumu Kahaʻi Topolinski, and Kumu John Keola Lake. In 1980, she channeled her lifelong love for hula into founding Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio. Today, she continues to teach and share Hawaiian culture through hula, mele, oli, and ‘ōlelo in a nurturing environment filled with aloha and respect.
Kaʻanohi’s love for art is something she inherited from her father, William K. Stephenson Jr., and nurtured over time. More recently, she honed her skills under the guidance of the late Joseph G. Hau‘oli Dowson Sr., and she still considers herself a student of art. Her greeting card collection is a heartfelt expression of her journey, featuring her artwork inspired by special moments, Kailua’s serene beauty, and other beloved spots across the islands.
Through her art and teaching, Kaʻanohi celebrates the beauty of Hawaiian culture and the spirit of aloha. Her work is a reflection of her deep gratitude for the people, places, and traditions that have shaped her life, and she is honored to share this with others.