Kawena Opunui learned hula from kumu Ellen Castello at a young age. She has participated in the Merrie Monarch Festival five times and has also performed chants at Merrie Monarch as an Alakai.
She received her Uniki from kumu Ellen Castello. She has many years of hula experience as a professional hula dancer and production coordinator for many musicians, including Kahiapo Talent. Tony C., Weldon Kekauoha, Sean Na‘auao, The Ka‘ala Boys, The Kaimana Band, The Brown Boys, and Sam Kapu III. She has also performed hula with artists such as Robert Cazimero, Keale, Brother Noland, Ledward Ka‘apana, 3 Scoops of Aloha, and Ocean Kaowili. Kawena also works as a production coordinator for Nalani Productions, where she handles a wide range of work from costumes to scheduling and choreography for concerts held around the world. Kawena is also well known as a hula dancer and co-writer of “Mele,” contributing the Hawaiian lyrics to the song.