Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu

Coach. Author. Elite Athlete. Media Personality.

Gallery

A small sampling of the many iterations of

Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu

Click on any photo to scroll through the gallery as a slideshow.

Dr. Michelle Manu performs a traditional Hawaiian martial arts demonstration using wooden sticks, adorned with leafy adornments on her head and wrists. She wears a yellow and black patterned skirt and a black top. A group of martial artists in uniforms and traditional attire observe respectfully in the background, standing on a blue mat inside a dojo.
A full-body shot of Dr. Michelle Manu, a woman with dark hair, lying on her back on wet sand at what appears to be sunset or sunrise. She is wearing a dark, possibly black, one-piece swimsuit with cutout details on the sides. Her knees are bent with her feet flat on the ground, and her arms are stretched out overhead on the sand. Her head is tilted back, looking upwards. The wet sand reflects the light, and a faint glow from the sun is visible on the water in the background.
Black-and-white photo of Dr. Michelle Manu, holding a sword vertically with one hand above her head and the other gripping the blade’s hilt, standing in a poised martial arts stance.
Michelle Manu poses barefoot against a black background, wearing a striking red suit. With long, straight hair, she crouches slightly, resting her chin thoughtfully on one hand while the other rests on her knee. Her nails are painted red to match her outfit, and her expression conveys calm confidence and introspection.
Dr. Michelle Manu wearing a traditional red feather headdress and garment, holding a wooden spear overhead with one arm extended in a poised martial stance against a black background.
A close-up outdoor shot of Dr. Michelle Manu, a woman with light skin and dark hair pulled back from her face. She is looking down and to her right with a serious expression. She wears a dark, possibly kukui nut, lei around her neck. Her bare shoulder with a faint tattoo and arm are visible in the foreground. The background is softly blurred with green foliage and bright pink flowers.
Dr. Michelle Manu poses against a light-colored wall wearing a fitted navy blue dress and a bold turquoise statement necklace. Her right hand rests on her head, and her gaze is directed to the side with a composed, confident expression. Her long hair cascades over her shoulder, adding to the striking and elegant composition of the portrait.
A full-back view of Dr. Michelle Manu shows her standing in an infinity pool, facing away from the camera, with her arms raised upwards. She is wearing a red sarong or dress and has a visible tattoo on her upper back. Beyond the pool, the vast blue Pacific Ocean stretches to the horizon under a clear sky. Several tall palm trees frame the scene, and lush green foliage is visible around the pool.
A group of approximately ten individuals, mostly young men and one woman, are practicing martial arts or a similar discipline on a blue mat in what appears to be a gym or dojo. Most of them are barefoot and performing a coordinated movement, with their arms extended to the sides and knees bent in a low stance. In the foreground, a bald man with a beard, wearing a dark t-shirt with a green design, is focused on the movement. The words "LLA Recreation" are partially visible on the blue mat in yellow. The background has white walls and more blue matting.
A film set on a rocky coastline at dusk. Dr. Michelle Manu is seated in the center, wearing a red haku lei (head lei) and a red dress, looking towards a camera (not visible). To her left, a large square light panel on a tripod illuminates her. To her right, a man with gray hair, wearing a green shirt and dark shorts, crouches while holding a boom microphone towards her. The background features the ocean with gentle waves, a distant island or hill, and lush green foliage along the shore. The sky is a pale orange and pink, indicating sunset.
A dramatic mid-shot of Dr. Michelle Manu shows her aiming a handgun with both hands, looking intently forward. She has dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, is wearing dark sunglasses, and a black blazer over a dark top. Her mouth is slightly open, suggesting concentration or exertion. The background is blurred, showing what appears to be an outdoor setting with a tree and some indistinct objects.
A six-panel screenshot of a video conference, likely a webinar or meeting, featuring six different speakers. Top Row (left to right): Raymond J. Lee: A man wearing a black "ANTI-RACIST" t-shirt, seated in what appears to be a home office. Erika Lee: A woman with glasses and dark hair, wearing a dark top, speaking from an indoor setting with bookshelves behind her. Rebecca Sun: A woman with dark hair, wearing a yellow top, speaking from an indoor setting. Bottom Row (left to right): Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: An older Black man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt, seated in a living room with artwork on the walls. His panel has a green outline, possibly indicating he is currently speaking or highlighted. Margaret Cho: A woman with dark hair, wearing a striped top, seated in a room with various decorative items in the background. Michelle Manu: A woman with long, light brown hair, smiling slightly, seated in a room with a wooden backdrop and decorative objects.
Dr. Michelle Manu, viewed from behind, stands against a black background holding two traditional Hawaiian weapons called ku‘eku‘e—shark-toothed wooden implements—raised in each hand. Her back is adorned with an intricate, symmetrical Polynesian tattoo spanning her shoulders and upper spine. Her hair is tied in a top bun, held in place with a gold hair stick.
Michelle Manu sits still with her eyes closed as another person applies bold, theatrical makeup to her face. The makeup features sharp, exaggerated lines in vibrant red, yellow, and black, forming a dramatic and stylized design. Her hair is tied in a bun, and the setting includes a purple wall and other colorful background elements, suggesting a preparation area for a performance or cultural event.
Dr. Michelle Manu, wrapped in a red garment, holds a long staff aimed directly at the camera with an intense, focused expression against a dark background.
A silhouette of Dr. Michelle Manu, with long hair flowing, is captured against a vibrant sunset over the ocean. She is in a dynamic pose, with one arm raised and bent, and the other arm also bent, as if performing a dance or martial arts movement. She appears to be wearing a lei or headpiece. The foreground consists of dark, rocky terrain, and a faint outline of trees is visible on the right. The sky transitions from a deep orange near the horizon to shades of purple and pink above.
A full body shot of Dr. Michelle Manu shows her standing on a vast, dark, uneven field of cooled lava rock. She is facing away from the camera, wearing a vibrant red dress or sarong and a red floral haku lei (head lei). Her arms are raised and bent, as if in a dance or ceremonial pose. In the distance, on the left, is a line of green trees under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
A high-angle, black and white portrait of Dr. Michelle Manu shows her on her knees, looking up directly at the viewer with a slight smile. She has light skin and long, light-colored hair flowing over her shoulders. She is wearing a dark, possibly black, bra top and shorts. The background is completely dark.
A high-contrast, black and white action shot captures Dr. Michelle Manu with her long, dark hair dramatically flowing upwards and backwards, creating a blurred effect. Her head is tilted back, looking towards the top right of the frame, and her face is mostly shadowed. She is wearing a dark, possibly strappy, top. The background is stark white.
Dr. Michelle Manu, wearing glasses and a dark pleated blouse, stands confidently in a brightly lit hallway with large windows. She has long straight hair and a calm, professional expression.
Dr. Michelle Manu, draped in a red garment, holds a long wooden staff vertically with focused intensity against a black background.
Dr. Michelle Manu smiles warmly while wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and a fitted black top. Her long hair falls over one shoulder, and the hat partially shades her face, adding a touch of elegance and mystery to her confident presence.
Dr. Michelle Manu poses gracefully in a black-and-white portrait, wearing a traditional garment and a large flower tucked behind her ear. She holds a Hawaiian kuʻekuʻe weapon—crafted with shark teeth—firmly in one hand. Her other arm is raised behind her head, and she wears a strand of black and white pearls around her neck. The image captures her strength, elegance, and cultural pride against a dark background.
Dr. Michelle Manu is not visibly present in this photo. The image shows a group of diverse individuals, mostly young adults, participating in what appears to be a class or training session on a blue mat in a large indoor space. They are all barefoot and have their arms raised above their heads in a synchronized movement. A bald man with a beard, wearing a dark t-shirt, is in the foreground among the group.
Black-and-white photo of Dr. Michelle Manu, wearing a sleeveless top, focused and holding a long-bladed sword in both hands during a martial arts stance.
Dr. Michelle Manu is illuminated dramatically against a dark background, facing upward with closed eyes in a serene pose. She is draped in a golden, mesh-like fabric that flows over her arms, evoking a sense of elegance, power, and spiritual expression.
Dr. Michelle Manu, a woman with long dark hair and glasses, smiles while standing in a modern hallway with glass walls and soft natural lighting. She is wearing a light gray blouse with a bow at the collar.
Dr. Michelle Manu in a dynamic pose, wearing a long leather coat, patterned tights, and combat boots. She is lifting one leg high as if stepping forward or striking, looking intensely at the camera with one arm bent upward. The image conveys strength and confidence.
A black and white, low-angle shot features Dr. Michelle Manu, a woman with long, dark hair, posing dramatically. She is looking upwards with her chin raised, illuminated by strong light from above. She wears a long-sleeved white crop top and a white skirt tied at the waist, revealing part of her left leg. Her left hand is on her hip, and her right hand rests on her left thigh. The background is a brick wall.
A headshot of Dr. Michelle Manu shows her smiling slightly, looking directly at the camera. She is a woman with light skin and dark hair pulled back. She is wearing a black blazer over a dark top. The background is a solid dark color, possibly black or dark grey.
Dr. Michelle Manu in a martial arts stance, wearing a gi with a patch on the sleeve, her hand extended forward and fist raised near her head, looking with focused intensity in a black-and-white portrait.
A black and white magazine spread features Dr. Michelle Manu. Her signature "Michelle Manu" is written in script at the top left. The main image shows her reclining on her back, looking upwards, with her left arm extended and her right arm bent at the elbow. She is wearing a black tank top, intricate lace-patterned leggings, and dark, chunky combat boots. Below the image, there is text that reads: "Michelle Manu, Custom Trends Magazine’s Person of the Year 2024 – most influential in women’s sports, is the cover girl for the April 2025 issue. Michelle and her photographer, James Trotter, shot the Custom Trends Magazine cover photoshoot with the intention of showing the strength, elegance, and style of a lifelong elite athlete." Further down, more text is present: "Manu was asked, Everyone has a little Warrior in them, what would you say is yours?" followed by her answer: "Manu answered: My warrior is unwavering. It's not just in my physical abilities or the art of Lua that I carry, it's in my resilience, my discipline, and my ability to stand firm and unphased no matter what comes my way. My warrior is in my ability to navigate the world with both strength and grace, to protect what matters, and to never back down from what I know is right. It's in the battles I've fought—seen and unseen—and the wisdom I've gained through them. I am always being refined. My warrior is not just about combat; it's about endurance, legacy, the relentless pursuit of mastery, and impacting others deeply." At the very bottom, "WARRIOR EDITION" is written, and "9" is in the bottom right corner, indicating a page number.