“Own your space. Powerfully embrace who you are. Don’t apologize for what you know. Continually strive to become more than who you are.” -Michelle Manu
Listen to Michelle’s Interview by clicking on this link: https://anchor.fm/andrea-harkins/episodes/Michelle-Manu—Powerfully-Embrace-Who-You-Are-ejd1d1
or, click below:
Michelle Manu is known for her accomplishments as a 10th Black Belt and teacher (Kumu) of the rarely seen ancient Hawaiian Combat Art, Lua. She is the only woman accepted as a disciple and earn the title of teacher (Kumu) under Grand Master (‘Olohe) Solomon Kaihewalu in over 40 years.
Michelle is also the only woman, thus far, to be given the designation of “Knight Commander” of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I for her continued work in promoting, protecting, and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through the Lua. She was inducted into the 2016 Martial Arts History Museum’s Hall of Fame for altering the course of history of martial arts.
Michelle is a wood weapons maker and expert. She is also the guardian and keeper of the only Kaihewalu Lua exhibit, located at the Martial Arts History Museum in Burbank, California.
Michelle toured the Midwest as a professional Polynesian Hula dancer and choreographer (1990-2004). Lua was concealed in the Hula when Queen Ka’ahumanu banned the combat art from public display (around the same time Hula was banned).
Lua is believed to been around a thousand years pre-Hula, which was approximately 1750 AD. Michelle now converts the Hula into the Lua.
For the everyday woman, Michelle uses the Hula, Lua, Metaphysics, and Wellness to teach self-empowerment through the Butterfly Effect program (formerly the SHE (Super Hero Experience) program).
Michelle strongly believes and can show that Lua and Hula (and Lomilomi) are the same use of energy. Lua is full contact (to bind and dislocate), Lomilomi is contact (to heal), and the Hula is no contact (storytelling).
Michelle has been a vocational leader in the legal profession for twenty-three years. Her experience has been vast and includes teaching college level courses; sitting on college academic advisory boards; investigations; litigation, transactional, and administrative law; HR; mediation; finance; and operations.
Michelle has earned a Juris Doctorate, business credentials from George Washington University, senior executive leadership credentials from Harvard Business School, and is a 2020 candidate for a certificate in physiology from Harvard Medical School.
Links & Info:
Sensei William Christopher Ford’s 52 Masters interview: https://youtu.be/r2W9IgvO71s
SHE Workshop: https://youtu.be/LT3ffTEom6I
Weaponry seminar: https://youtu.be/ccythkquZNs
Andrea’s Motivational Books: