Ululani Shiraishi was nurtured and influenced by the ʻāina of her kupuna in Hana. While born and raised in California, her childhood summers were spent with her tutu, cleaning kupuna’s yards, scrubbing clothes on a washboard, drinking hot cocoa with cream crackers and butter, and exploring and discovering the moʻolelo (stories) of Hana.

These early experiences grew a deep-rooted connection to Maui and its people, and blossomed into a life-long curiosity and commitment to relationships, connections, community and learning. She graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and later earned a Master’s in Education and Counseling. She has taught for the last 34 years at various Maui schools and in a variety of capacities.

Ulu recently retired from being a 6th grade English Language Arts kumu at Kamehameha Schools Maui for 12 years. Ulu and her husband, Spencer, relish time with their adult children and four grandchildren and exploring and learning about different lands and cultures. These collective experiences fuel her desire to seek new opportunities to serve, support, and encourage.