Kumu Michelle Manu is reviving the practice of the Hawaiian combat-martial art, "Lua"

Kumu Michelle Manu teaches her students to live a life of "intentional movement". These students are learning the ancient combat martial art of Lua which was once practiced by many Hawai'ian women warriors before it went into hiding in hula dancing. By reviving this practice Kumu Michelle hopes to break the stigma that femininity could only ever mean fragility. She hopes to encourage others to bring out the warrior spirit within them, the way our ancestors did.

This edition of Stories from the Pacific was a repeat of the program broadcast on 19th June 2024