"At T S Restaurants, we are committed to our host culture and are constantly looking for ways to not only give back to our local community but also to honor those for exemplifying the culture and traditions of our island state," said Hula Grill Waikiki general manager Dianne Vicheinrut, in a written statement. "John Keola Lake is the perfect example of someone who has been keeping Hawaiian culture alive through hula and he is well deserving of this award."

Lake first learned the art of hula from Ka'ehukai Ka'e of Lahaina and Edith Kanaka'ole. In the early 1960, teacher and relative Maiki Aiu Lake graduated him to kumu and influenced him to continue his path of teaching Hawaiian cultural practices. After recognizing a need and desire among youth to learn hula, Lake founded Hui O Na Opio, an after-school club dedicated to Hawaiian culture and hula dancing. Through his involvement, the club served more than 2,000 students from local O'ahu high schools.

In 1974, Lake played an integral role in making Hawaiian history classes mandatory in Hawai'i's public schools. His love and passion for Hawaiian culture also led him in 1975 to start Halau Mele, where he taught hula, slack-key guitar, steel guitar, chorale arranging and chanting.

In 1993, Chaminade University hired Lake to teach Hawaiian language, religion and oral traditions. By 2002, Lake was named "kumu-in-residence" and he oversaw all Hawaiian matters and protocol at the university. Earlier this year, Lake received a doctorate of Humane Letters from Chaminade. Today, he is an associate professor of Hawaiian studies.