KOA WĀHINE RETREATS:

Manu is a lineage holder devoted to the restoration of feminine sovereignty, self‑protection, and ancestral intelligence in women. A multi-disciplinarian, elite athlete, and master martial artist, teacher, and weapons maker. Her existence disrupts the patriarchal conditioning through penetrating discussions and warrior movements that empower wahine through personal sovereignty, total wellness, and self-protection—restoring their inherent right to govern themselves and move powerfully through the world.

She is a published author, including non-fiction books Mea Kaua ‘o Kaihewalu Lua, The Archetype of the Woman Protector, and The Butterfly Effect.

Internationally recognized for public role in transmitting and protecting the only indigenous warrior tradition of Hawaiʻi—Maoli and modern. Manu is the only high-ranking woman teacher of Lua and the first public representative of a koa wahine lua (woman warrior) in over 200 years. In recognition of her work protecting and perpetuating the Kānaka ‘Ōiwi culture and tradition through Lua, she was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (Oʻahu Chapter).

Before her prominence as a public Kumu Lua, Manu was a professional Polynesian Hula dancer and choreographer in the diaspora, touring the Midwest for a decade. Today, she uniquely integrates Hula and Lua to awaken timing, balance, biomechanics, intuition, and spiritual authority—guiding women back into right relationship with their bodies and power. She selectively teaches this method internationally, including at UCLA, Honolulu Community College, and her private school, Nā Koa/Pā Lua ‘o Manu.

Through her work, Manu has supported women across the world—survivors, leaders, mothers, professionals, and protectors—particularly those navigating high‑risk environments or life transitions. Her teaching weaves warrior discipline, metaphysical science, wellness, and ceremonial practice into a grounded, compassionate path of self‑governance. Her dedicated students also study Maoli and modern warrior disciplines of metaphysical science, warrior massage, wellness, and conditioning.

Beyond her over twenty years of warrior training under ‘Ōlohe Solomon Kaihewalu, Manu has been a legal professional for three decades. She earned a Juris Doctorate (JD), business credentials from George Washington University, a senior executive leadership credential from Harvard Business School, a master’s degree in Metaphysical Science (MMsc), and a PhD in Philosophy specializing in metaphysical counseling.

Manu is a respected figure in the entertainment industry representing wahine sovereignty and wahine koa in television, film, and live media. She has earned credits as a producer, director, host, fight actress, and fight coordinator, contributing to various films, series, and projects. Her work and expertise have been featured in leading publications worldwide, including Hawaiian Airlines Hana Hou!, Sports Illustrated, Black Belt Magazine, International Martial Arts Magazine, Custom Trends Magazine, Inside Kung Fu, Martial Arts Masters Magazine, Seni Beladiri (Malaysia), Tae Kwon Do Times (Korea), Martial Arts Xperience, Martial Kombat Times, USAdojo.com, KenpoGirl, Herstory, Martial Arts Illustrated UK, Warrior Magazin (Germany), Martial Journal, Immersion Labs, and El Camino The Way (Spain).

Learn more about Kumu Manu at: https://michellemanu.com/