Rooted in her Kahuku to Ka`a`awa, O‘ahu upbringing raised by a woodworking mama and a BYU-Hawaii fine arts and religions professor, Puakea Forester's life work is guided by the simple understanding that witnessing reciprocal relationships with the ʻāina, culture, and the arts fosters a strong sense of lovingkindness and belonging that both counters and heals colonial extractive mindsets. This grounded connection fuels her nearly three decades of teaching a diverse range of subjects, including theater and dance for social change, global and indigenous women's studies, ethnobotany, fine arts, and handwork.. Currently, Puakea carries on her childhood passion of Hawaiian kapa making, drama, and art in public schools through State funded grants and `Āina, Culture, and the Arts Camps in Nīnole. A certified Waldorf Handwork teacher and a sparkle fun face painter, Puakea is continuing her education in Performing Arts Ed at UH, all driven by a commitment to having an extraordinary time creating beauty with children of all ages and delighting her ancestors.