Beloved kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao-Jardin of award-winning Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Laina‘ala, of Kauai, died over the weekend. She was 51 years old.

Pavao-Jardin had been battling cancer after being diagnosed in the summer of 2024. A special prayer and gathering was held to honor her life on Sunday evening at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

Despite battling cancer, Pavao-Jardin brought wahine and kane dancers to the Merrie Monarch competition in Hilo in April as well a solo dancer for Miss Aloha Hula. Her niece, 23-year-old Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao, won the title of Miss Aloha Hula .

Pavao-Jardin shared her story of the cancer diagnosis with Hawaii News Now prior to the Merrie Monarch Festival competition in April.

The Kauai halau was also the overall winner of the 59th Merrie

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