Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai with Karl Veto Baker

In this special episode to celebrate the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival, we sit down with Kumu Hula, Karl Veto Baker, of Halau I Ka Wekiu for a heartfelt conversation that weaves together the art of hula and the spirit of aloha. Kumu Veto shares how his haumana prepare for Merrie Monarch and what it means to watch his dancers rise to the moment. He describes the 50th teaching anniversary of his mentor, Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero, and reflects upon the Hawaiian Renaissance that shaped a generation of cultural practitioners. In the spirit of aloha, Kumu Veto also describes his friendship with Pono Shim and how Pono became the Kahu of Halau I Ka Wekiu. As a businessman himself, we also dive into the intersection of culture and business as well as his hopes for a thriving Hawaii in which kamaaina have the opportunity to come home and give back to their communities. And of course, this episode would be remiss if we didnʻt get an exciting glimpse into the Halau's 2025 Merrie Monarch performances. Join us for a celebration of hula as a way of life. Mahalo for tuning in!

Episode Highlights

0:22 Introduction to Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker

1:08 Preparing for Merrie Monarch 2025

2:15 Seeing students rise to the occasion

3:47 "Hula is life"

5:11 Celebrating Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero's 50th year of teaching

6:55 Holding on to our culture, the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s

10:19 Moderation leads to abundance

11:09 Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai

14:12 Uplifting hula, sharing love with audiences

17:02 Drawing an audience in, transferable skills from hula to life

19:43 Bringing kamaaina back home to Hawaii

26:59 Friendship with Pono Shim

29:04 Pono becoming the Kahu for Halau I Ka Wekiu (2013)

32:36 Connections to students

36:45 Envisioning a thriving Hawaii

38:47 Navigating the translation space - speaking the language of the heart

39:19 Establishing a mortgage business

42:25 Bridging the gap between the corporate world and hula

43:39 The feeling of performing - bringing newness to the art

46:30 2025 performances: Reviving the saga of Halemano and Kamalalawalu

51:17 Peahi o Makana (written by Kumu Hula Devin Kamealoha Forrest)

52:50 From vision to final dance

Welcome to the Above the Sides podcast! Join us on our journey to uncover what it means to think, act, and live aloha. The inspiration for this podcast is the late Pono Shim, former President and CEO of the Oʻahu Economic Development Board. His stories capture the essence of what it means to live aloha. He made it known that aloha is a lifestyle. It is not a solution to problems, a marketing brand or to be used as an advantage over anyone else. Aloha is to be honored and practiced.

The name of this podcast is in reverence of Hawaiʻi's Queen Liliʻuokalani, who wrote: "To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable – that is Aloha. All things in this world are two; in heaven there is but One.” Through these episodes, we seek to find that singular perspective, the one that is "above the sides" as we strive for universal peace.

We welcome you to pause with us as we share the stories and voices of Hawai’i business leaders, educators and community members who have chosen to be lifelong students of aloha. Mahalo nui loa for listening.