When actor Stephen Bishop and model Jesiree Dizon welcomed their daughter on November 29, 2017, they chose a name that would connect her to centuries of Hawaiian tradition. Charli Kekuʻulani Bishop represents more than just a celebrity child—she embodies the continuing story of Hawaiian cultural preservation in modern America.
This comprehensive guide explores everything about Charli Kekuʻulani, from the profound meaning of her Hawaiian name to her family relationships, cultural significance, and what makes her story resonate with thousands seeking to understand Hawaiian heritage today.
Who Is Charli Kekuʻulani? Understanding Her Background
Charli Kekuʻulani Bishop is the daughter of actor Stephen Bishop, known for his roles in “Moneyball” and “Being Mary Jane,” and model-actress Jesiree Dizon. Born in late 2017, Charli is now 7 years old as of December 2025, growing up in a blended family environment that celebrates both her Hawaiian roots and contemporary American culture.
Her father, Stephen Bishop, brings African-American and Hawaiian heritage to the family, having been born on September 14, 1970. Before transitioning to acting, Stephen was a professional baseball player who played for the Atlanta Braves’ minor league system. Her mother, Jesiree Dizon, was born on August 29, 1983, in Lahaina, Hawaii, and carries a rich multicultural background blending Filipino, African-American, and Caucasian ancestry.
Key Facts About Charli Kekuʻulani:
- Full Name: Charli Kekuʻulani Bishop
- Date of Birth: November 29, 2017
- Current Age: 7 years old (as of December 2025)
- Parents: Stephen Bishop (father) and Jesiree Dizon (mother)
- Siblings: Kaiden (older half-brother from mother’s previous relationship), Frankie Moore (younger half-sister born January 24, 2023)
- Heritage: Mixed (Hawaiian, African-American, Filipino, Caucasian)
- Residence: California, United States
The Deep Meaning Behind the Name “Kekuʻulani”
Hawaiian names are never arbitrary—they carry spiritual power, or mana, that connects individuals to their ancestors and the natural world. The name Kekuʻulani is particularly significant, reflecting both celestial beauty and royal lineage.
Breaking Down “Kekuʻulani”
The name can be understood through its Hawaiian components:
- Ke = The (definite article)
- Kuʻu = My/Mine (possessive form) or “fragment/piece”
- Lani = Heaven, sky, or royal/majesty
Together, these elements create meanings including “my heavenly one,” “my royal sky,” “the piece of heaven,” or “heavenly fragment”. This poetic construction reflects the deep cosmological beliefs of ancient Hawaiians, who viewed the sky as a divine realm where stars guided voyagers across vast oceans.
Historical Connection to Hawaiian Royalty
The name Kekuʻulani carries historical weight beyond its beautiful meaning. In the 19th century, High Chiefess Elizabeth Kekuʻuapoiwa Kekuʻulani was part of Hawaiian aristocracy, making this name a direct link to Hawaii’s royal past. When parents choose this name today, they’re not just selecting pleasant sounds—they’re declaring their child’s connection to a noble lineage and affirming their commitment to cultural continuity.
Why Hawaiian Names Matter Today
In Hawaiian tradition, names are considered the property of the name-holder, with power to help or hurt its owner. Old Hawaiians created unique names for each child with careful thought about meaning, often revealed through dreams or visions. This practice stands in stark contrast to Western naming conventions that prioritize sound or family honor over embedded narratives.
For Charli Kekuʻulani, carrying this name means:
- Cultural Identity: A constant reminder of Hawaiian heritage despite growing up on the mainland
- Spiritual Connection: Link to ancestral traditions and cosmological beliefs
- Educational Opportunity: Chance to teach others about Hawaiian culture and language
- Resistance to Assimilation: Active preservation of Indigenous identity in a globalized world
Charli’s Family: The Bishop-Dizon Connection
Understanding Charli Kekuʻulani’s family requires recognizing the modern blended family structure that defines her childhood experience.
Father: Stephen Bishop’s Journey
Stephen C. Bishop attended the University of California, Riverside, where he played baseball for the Highlanders from 1991-1992, later signing with the Atlanta Braves. After playing minor league baseball in the early 1990s, Stephen transitioned to acting in the early 2000s.
His notable roles include:
- David Justice in “Moneyball” (2011) alongside Brad Pitt
- David Paulk in BET’s “Being Mary Jane” (2013-15)
- Patrick in Bravo’s “Imposters” (2017-18)
- Appearances in “Friday Night Lights,” “Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Rundown”
Stephen has described fatherhood as grounding, with Charli’s creativity pushing him to stay connected to his own artistic roots. He frequently shares moments with his children, from beach trips honoring their Hawaiian heritage to adventures around Los Angeles.
Mother: Jesiree Dizon’s Career and Heritage
Born in Lahaina, Hawaii, Jesiree Dizon built her career in both modeling and acting. She’s known for appearances in television series including “Hawaii Five-0,” “CSI: NY,” “True Blood,” and “Days of Our Lives.” Her Hawaiian upbringing in a close-knit Christian household significantly influenced her parenting approach.
Jesiree shares an incredibly close bond with Charli, frequently documenting their days together and posting on Mother’s Day 2022: “This little angel of mine makes me want to be better every day. Charli is my entire heart and soul”.
The Relationship Timeline: Stephen and Jesiree
Stephen Bishop and Jesiree Dizon were in a relationship for over five years, beginning around 2014. The couple attended public events together, including the premiere of “Why Him?” in December 2016 and various industry functions. Their relationship lasted until approximately 2019, though they continue to co-parent Charli successfully.
Blended Family Dynamics
Charli’s family extends beyond her biological parents:
Kaiden: Her older half-brother from Jesiree’s previous relationship. Born in 2014, Kaiden plays the protective big brother role, often participating in activities with Charli from Halloween costumes to Easter egg hunts.
Frankie Melelina Kapule Moore: Charli’s younger half-sister, born January 24, 2023, from her mother’s relationship with actor Shemar Moore. This expanded the family dynamic significantly, with Charli transitioning into the role of big sister.
Shemar Moore Connection: Although Shemar Moore and Jesiree Dizon reportedly separated in early 2025 after approximately five years together, Moore remains involved in the children’s lives, having expressed deep appreciation for his role with all three of Jesiree’s children during their relationship.
Charli’s Personality and Public Appearances
Despite her young age and her parents’ efforts to maintain privacy, glimpses of Charli’s personality have emerged through family social media posts and public appearances.
Described Traits
Observers describe Charli as curious, bright, and expressive, with her parents emphasizing she has a strong spirit and unique personality. Stephen has shared anecdotes highlighting her creativity, whether through drawings, storytelling, or her infectious laughter.
Public Events
Charli has appeared alongside her father at events like the Holiday Road Friends & Family Preview Night 2021 at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, California, on December 4, 2021. Such appearances are carefully curated, allowing Charli to experience public life while protecting her privacy as a minor.
Social Media Presence
While Charli doesn’t have her own social media accounts (appropriate for her age), both parents occasionally share moments featuring her. Jesiree particularly celebrates Charli’s fashion sense and personality, posting about their mother-daughter activities and special occasions.
Hawaiian Heritage in Modern Context
Charli Kekuʻulani’s story intersects with larger narratives about Hawaiian cultural preservation and Indigenous identity in contemporary America.
The Challenge of Cultural Continuity
Native Hawaiian families face unique challenges maintaining cultural traditions while living outside the islands or integrating into mainstream American society. For families like Charli’s, heritage and identity require active maintenance through language classes, cultural events, and traditional practices.
How Charli’s Family Honors Hawaiian Culture
The Bishop-Dizon family demonstrates cultural commitment through several practices:
- Meaningful Naming: Choosing “Kekuʻulani” instead of a conventional Western name
- Cultural Education: Exposing Charli to Hawaiian traditions and values
- Beach and Nature Connections: Regular trips that honor the Hawaiian relationship with land and sea
- Family Stories: Sharing heritage narratives that connect Charli to her roots
The Importance of Names in Cultural Preservation
Genuine Hawaiian names are unisex, with literal meanings usually quite clear, but often containing hidden symbolic meanings known only to the family. By giving Charli this name, her parents performed an act of cultural preservation—ensuring that Hawaiian language and tradition remain living practices rather than museum pieces.
Growing Up in the Spotlight: Privacy and Protection
Celebrity children face unique challenges, and Charli’s parents have navigated this carefully.
Balancing Public and Private Life
Because Charli is still very young, most media about her comes from parental interviews or social media. This controlled approach protects her while allowing fans to connect with Stephen and Jesiree’s family journey.
No Independent Net Worth or Career
As a minor, Charli has no professional career or independent net worth. Any wealth associated with her comes from her parents’ entertainment industry earnings. This distinction is important—she’s a child experiencing a normal childhood, not a child performer.
Educational and Social Development
While specific details about Charli’s schooling remain private (appropriately so), indicators suggest she’s receiving education that balances academic learning with cultural awareness and creative development.
The Broader Significance: Why Charli’s Story Matters
Charli Kekuʻulani represents something larger than one family’s story—she embodies contemporary questions about Indigenous identity, cultural preservation, and what heritage means in an increasingly interconnected world.
Symbol of Hawaiian Resilience
Hawaiian heritage doesn’t exist in museums alone—it thrives in families committed to daily cultural practice. Every child receiving a Hawaiian name, learning Hawaiian values, or connecting with ancestral traditions represents resistance to cultural erasure.
Mixed Heritage Navigation
With African-American, Hawaiian, Filipino, and Caucasian ancestry, Charli’s multicultural background reflects modern America’s diversity. Her experience will involve navigating multiple cultural identities—a journey increasingly common for young people today.
Celebrity Kids and Normalcy
Charli’s parents’ approach to raising her—maintaining privacy while occasionally sharing family moments—offers a model for celebrity families seeking to give their children relatively normal childhoods despite public interest.
Stephen Bishop as a Father: Parenting Philosophy
Stephen’s approach to fatherhood has evolved throughout his relationship with his children.
From Baseball to Acting to Fatherhood
Stephen mentions how fatherhood has grounded him, with both Kaiden and Charli playing significant parts in his personal growth. His career transitions—from professional athlete to actor—demonstrate adaptability that informs his parenting approach.
Cultural Education
Stephen’s Hawaiian heritage makes him particularly invested in ensuring Charli understands and appreciates this part of her identity. Beach trips, cultural storytelling, and name selection all reflect this commitment.
Co-Parenting Success
Despite separating from Jesiree around 2019, Stephen maintains an active presence in Charli’s life. Effective co-parenting allows Charli to benefit from both parents’ love and guidance without being caught in conflict.
Jesiree Dizon’s Motherhood Journey
Jesiree’s role as mother to three children from different relationships showcases modern motherhood’s complexity.
Three Children, One Devoted Mother
Jesiree Dizon has never been married but maintains a relatively private personal life, with affection for her three children—Frankie, Charli, and Kaiden—evident in rare but heartfelt moments she shares publicly.
Hawaiian Heritage Transmission
Born in Lahaina, Hawaii, Jesiree carries deep cultural knowledge that she actively transmits to her children. Her decision to give Charli a Hawaiian middle name wasn’t merely aesthetic—it was a deliberate act of cultural preservation.
Balancing Career and Family
Jesiree has successfully balanced her entertainment career with motherhood, sometimes bringing children to work and often sharing how they inspire her professional choices.
Recent Updates and Current Life (2024-2025)
As of December 2025, Charli is 7 years old and experiencing significant family transitions.
Family Changes
Shemar Moore and Jesiree Dizon reportedly separated in early 2025 after approximately five years together. This change affects Charli’s household dynamics, though both adults have emphasized their commitment to co-parenting Frankie and maintaining positive relationships with all the children.
Growing Into Her Identity
At 7 years old, Charli is at an age where she’s becoming more aware of her unique name, multicultural heritage, and her parents’ public profiles. This developmental stage offers opportunities for deeper cultural education and identity formation.
Protecting Privacy
Both Stephen and Jesiree continue prioritizing Charli’s privacy, sharing selective moments rather than constantly exposing her to public scrutiny. This approach allows Charli to develop outside the constant glare of celebrity attention.
The Future: What Lies Ahead for Charli Kekuʻulani
While predicting anyone’s future is impossible, several factors will likely shape Charli’s journey:
Cultural Identity Formation
As Charli grows, she’ll navigate her multicultural heritage, potentially becoming a bridge between different communities. Her Hawaiian name will serve as a constant anchor to that part of her identity.
Educational Opportunities
With parents who value both creativity and education, Charli will likely have access to excellent educational opportunities. Whether she pursues entertainment, academics, athletics, or another path remains entirely her choice.
Privacy vs. Public Life
Growing up with famous parents, Charli will eventually decide her own comfort level with public attention. Her parents’ protective approach gives her the foundation to make these choices from a place of security rather than necessity.
Cultural Ambassador Potential
If Charli chooses, her unique position—celebrity child with Hawaiian heritage—could allow her to educate others about Hawaiian culture, becoming a voice for cultural preservation among her generation.
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Common Questions About Hawaiian Names and Culture
Why Are Hawaiian Names Important?
Hawaiian names carry mana (spiritual power) and connect bearers to ancestors, land, and cultural traditions. They’re not merely labels but narratives embedded in sound, preserving language and worldview.
How Do You Pronounce “Kekuʻulani”?
The ʻokina (glottal stop, marked by ‘) creates a brief pause: “Keh-koo-oo-LAH-nee.” The emphasis typically falls on the penultimate syllable.
Are Hawaiian Names Gender-Specific?
Genuine Hawaiian names are unisex. Ancient Hawaiians didn’t assign gender to names the way Western cultures do, making any traditional Hawaiian name appropriate for any child.
Why Do Some Children Get Hawaiian Middle Names Instead of First Names?
Many families use Hawaiian names as middle names to honor heritage while giving children Western first names that may be easier in mainstream American contexts. This represents one strategy for cultural preservation while navigating practical considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Charli Kekuʻulani Bishop?
Charli was born on November 29, 2017, making her 7 years old as of December 2025.
Q: What does “Kekuʻulani” mean in Hawaiian?
The name translates to “my heavenly one,” “my royal sky,” or “the piece of heaven,” reflecting both celestial beauty and noble lineage.
Q: Who are Charli Kekuʻulani’s parents?
Her father is actor Stephen Bishop (known for “Moneyball” and “Being Mary Jane”), and her mother is model-actress Jesiree Dizon (known for “Hawaii Five-0” and “CSI: NY”).
Q: Does Charli Kekuʻulani have siblings?
Yes, she has an older half-brother named Kaiden from her mother’s previous relationship and a younger half-sister named Frankie Melelina Kapule Moore, born January 24, 2023.
Q: Are Stephen Bishop and Jesiree Dizon married?
No, they were never married. They were in a relationship from approximately 2014 to 2019 and now successfully co-parent Charli.
Q: What is Charli Kekuʻulani’s ethnic background?
She has mixed heritage including Hawaiian, African-American, Filipino, and Caucasian ancestry from both parents.
Q: Does Charli Kekuʻulani have social media accounts?
No, as a minor, Charli doesn’t have her own social media accounts. Moments featuring her appear occasionally on her parents’ accounts.
