While living on the island of Hawaii, Shireen studied with the most important person of her hula life - kumu hula (hula master) Katherine Keko'olani Dambley, whose loving guidance and encouragement have been an inspiration ever since. Kumu Kathy bestowed on Shireen the Hawaiian name Kanani, along with her blessings to share Hawaiian culture on the mainland.  

Kumu Katherine Keko'olani Dambley 1985 In loving memory (d. 2008)

Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people. -- David La'amea Kalakaua, king of Hawai'i, 1874 -1891