About Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu
Video Credit: Jim Towns
Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, JD, MMsc, PhD, is a multi-disciplinarian, elite athlete, and master martial artist. She is the Curator of the Warrior Women Exhibit at the Martial Arts History Museum.
A respected figure in the entertainment industry, Dr. Manu regularly works in television, film, and live media. She has earned credits as a producer, director, host, fight actress, and fight coordinator, contributing to various films, series, and projects.
She is a published author, including non-fiction books The Archetype of the Woman Protector and The Butterfly Effect.
Internationally recognized for her achievements, Dr. Manu is a 10th-degree Black Belt, Alihikaua (General), and Kumu Lua (teacher) in the indigenous Hawaiian warrior art of Lua (Kaihewalu and Manu lineages). She is the only high-ranking female teacher of Lua and the first public representative of a Hawaiian woman warrior in over 200 years. In recognition of her work preserving Hawaiian culture through Lua, she was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (Oʻahu Chapter)—the only woman to receive this honor.
Before her martial arts prominence, Kumu Manu was a professional Polynesian Hula dancer and choreographer, touring the Midwest for a decade. She now empowers thousands of women by integrating Hula with Lua, using the dance to develop essential combat skills such as timing, balance, placement, and biomechanics. She teaches this method internationally, including at UCLA, Honolulu Community College, and her private school, Nā Koa/Pā Lua O Manu.
Kumu Manu specializes in self-protection for individuals in high-risk environments, including pilots, flight attendants, real estate and healthcare professionals, university students, adult entertainers, survivors of domestic violence, and women in various industries. Her dedicated students also study the ancient warrior disciplines of metaphysical science, warrior massage, wellness, and conditioning.
Beyond her warrior training, Dr. Manu has been a legal professional for three decades. She earned a Juris Doctorate (JD), business credentials from George Washington University, a senior executive leadership credential from Harvard Business School, a master’s degree in Metaphysical Science (MMsc), and a PhD specializing in metaphysical counseling.
Her work and expertise have been featured in leading publications worldwide, including Sports Illustrated, Black Belt Magazine, Hawaiian Airlines Hana Hou!, Martial Arts Xperience, Inside Kung Fu, Martial Arts Masters Magazine, Seni Beladiri (Malaysia), Tae Kwon Do Times (Korea), USAdojo.com, KenpoGirl, Herstory, Martial Arts Illustrated UK, Warrior Magazin (Germany), Martial Journal, Immersion Labs, and El Camino The Way (Spain).