Presented by Annemarie Paikai on behalf of Dr. Eiko Kosasa, this keynote examines the deep-rooted structures of U.S. imperialism and settler colonialism in Hawaiʻi and how they continue to shape education, governance, and relationships to ʻāina. Drawing from Dr. Kosasa’s scholarship, the presentation invites participants to confront the difficult knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s illegal occupation, the systemic erasure of Native Hawaiian sovereignty, and the ongoing responsibilities of settlers within these colonial frameworks.

Through a lens of critical inquiry and decolonial practice, Paikai offer a call to action: to move beyond symbolic inclusion and toward meaningful solidarity. This session provides tools for educators, students, and community members to reflect on their positionality, engage ethically, and actively support Indigenous self-determination and the restoration of ea.

Kaina Makua and Ioane Goodhue represent the intersection of cultural integrity, artistic excellence, and community-rooted leadership.

Both serve as key cast members in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Chief of War, a groundbreaking portrayal of Hawaiian history through a Native lens.

Together, Makua and Goodhue offer powerful insight into how film, language, and cultural practice can converge to inspire the next generation. Their participation will energize Hawaiian educators, students, and organizations to envision leadership that is rooted in ʻike kūpuna and expressed through modern creative mediums.

Dr. Keanu Sai is a Senior Lecturer in political science and Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i Windward Community College, and affiliate faculty member at the University of Hawai‘i College of Education. Dr. Sai is also President of the Hawaiian Society of Law and Politics. He also served as Agent for the Hawaiian Kingdom at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague, Netherlands, in Larsen v. Hawaiian Kingdom, PCA case no. 1999-01.

Maluhia States is a Hawaiian language educator dedicated to restoring the language to Hawaiian families through authentic, native-speaker based instruction.  Through Kaulumaika LLC, he creates courses, community programs, and media rooted in traditional speech and cultural practice.  His work focuses on spreading and normalizing Hawaiian in everyday life and beyond the classroom.

Ekolu Kelley is a native of Niihau.  He resides in Kekaha, Kauai with wife Vanessa and daughter Kaʻenaahi.  He is deeply passionate about preserving the Niihau language and culture of his ohana, who are among the few who carry the knowledge of the islandʻs distinct traditions and way of life.  Recognizing that his generation is one of the last to have lived and experienced life on Niihau, he created Leo Kuahiwi as a platform to bridge generations and share the language with speakers and new learners.  

Hauʻolihiwahiwa Moniz is a Native Hawaiian social researcher and community educator from Keahupuaʻanui in Kailua, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. Her work explores Indigenous identity formation, Native Hawaiian Lateral Violence—a concept she introduced to academic discourse—and its impacts on Hawaiian language acquisition and cultural self-efficacy. She teaches community-based classes and develops library practices grounded in Hawaiian methodology and spiritual principles.

Haunani Miyasato is an educator, author, and cultural practitioner from Puna, Hawaiʻi, dedicated to revitalizing ʻike kupuna in contemporary classrooms. With over 15 years of experience teaching and creating Hawaiian language and science-based educational resources, she integrates ancestral knowledge of the mahina (moon) and ʻāina into engaging, place-based learning. Through her business, Kaulana Mahina, she empowers learners of all ages to observe, connect, and thrive in their own communities.

As the Communications and Outreach Specialist for American Bird Conservancy in Hawaiʻi, Ben Catcho Jr. leads community engagement and storytelling efforts that center Native Hawaiian perspectives and practices in bird conservation. Through moʻolelo, social media, education, and huakaʻi, he strives to uplift local voices, support conservation learning, and reconnect people to place and purpose.

Heidi Waiamau is a Senior Project Manager at Kamehameha Schools, she has spent the past 15 years designing and leading impactful programs that reach keiki and ʻohana from pre-K through 9th grade. Her work is grounded in moʻolelo and ʻike kūpuna, with a strong focus on Hawaiian cultural integration, early childhood education, NGSS-aligned science, and multimodal, tech-enhanced learning.

Kula Manu is a student-led club centered around the art of Hawaiian feather work, with great focus on community engagement, volunteer work, and education. Our club is proud to perpetuate our culture through this sacred craft, while embodying values of ʻIke Kūpuna, Aloha ʻĀina, and Alakaʻi Lawelawe. In this club, we strengthen members as leaders and advocates for Hawaiians and our Hawaiian treasures.

Keola McComber is the HR Operations Specialist at The LineUp at Wai Kai and Haseko HI. She leads people operations across the full employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to performance, training, and offboarding, centering pilina, process, and ʻike Hawaiʻi. 

Maile Naehu, a Kanaka Maoli Boricua from Molokaʻi, is a dedicated educator, performer, and community organizer deeply connected to Aloha ‘Āina. Through Hawaiian language, hula, chant, and storytelling, she shares her rich heritage. Her direction of "Hoʻokupu," a Nā Hōku Hanohano-winning hip-hop anthology of Hawaiian history now used in schools statewide, highlights her innovative approach. Performing as "Queen Maile," she shares her artistry through music. As co-founder of Ka Hale Hoaka and program director for Hui o Kuapā, Maile empowers learners and cultivates future stewards through intergenerational art and resource management initiatives.

Hanohano Naehu is a lifelong cultural practitioner, educator, and Kiaʻi Loko (fishpond guardian) from Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi. For over 25 years, he has led the restoration of traditional Hawaiian fishponds as the head kiaʻi loko and Director of Hui o Kuapā, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing loko iʻa and Hawaiian aquaculture practices. Through his work, Hanohano teaches ancestral land stewardship, blending traditional knowledge with modern education, ocean conservation, and community healing. As an artist and activist, he and his wife, Maile, perform under their Hip Hop personas, The Paniolo Prince and Queen Maile, using music as a tool for aloha ʻāina and youth empowerment.

Owner of Kamaʻāina Creations LLC, Native Hawaiian Film Maker and Director of ʻAuhea ʻOukou E Nā Kumu & Hawaiian Soul

Associate Professor - Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, College of Hawaiian Language, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Program Coordinator of Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program

Interim Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Associate Professor - Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, College of Hawaiian Language, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Moderator

Thronas is one of Hawaiʻi’s rising stars, celebrated for his powerful leo kiʻekiʻe (Hawaiian falsetto) voice—all by the age of 16. He first gained recognition at 9 years old in the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning Mana Maoli video “Hawaiʻi 78,” and has since performed with legends like Nā Palapalai, Amy Hānaialiʻi, and Raiatea Helm. His original mele “Nani Olohena” reached national audiences through a live performance on the Tamron Hall Show. Kamahaʻo is also the founder of Kalikimaka with Kamahaʻo, a beloved holiday concert on Kauaʻi celebrating mele, hula, and community.

Jessica Nakamura is a freelance web developer helping Hawaiʻi nonprofits, entrepreneurs, educators, and other changemakers create and maintain an impactful web presence and design digital solutions.

Kaniaulono Hāpai, born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, is a graduate of Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Immersion School and a dedicated hula and mele practitioner with 11 years of training under Hālau o Kekuhi. She has shared her talents with organizations like Project Kuleana, Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, and ʻOhana Productions, uplifting community voices through music. Her debut single “Mokulehua,” created as her Senior Project, honors her ʻohana, school, community, and ʻāina. Moving forward in Hawaiian music, Kaniaulono remains grounded in her kuleana to represent Hilo with authenticity, aloha, and cultural integrity.

Born in Hilo, Hawaii, Jorden Kealoha-Yamanaka is a musician and singer/songwriter who moved to Oʻahu to pursue a career as a recording artist, and is a current member of the pop group "PARTYFOUL". He is also in the works to soon release music as a soloist and is excited to debut his artistry as an R&B singer, blending R&B music with cultural groundedness and love stories through a Hawaiian perspective.

We live in politically divisive times. Our current models of civics education are being called to task. Fortunately, we have kahua to build upon through HCBE, including an emphasis on authentic civic education. 

Join as we discuss the work of Our Kaiaulu Votes and creating connections between schools as well as an introduction to the Makawalu Model of political discourse. 

Ethan is currently teaching Humanities and Hawaiian Culture at Mid-Pacific Institute, Ethan Porter's thirteen year education career has spanned Public, Private, and Charter Schools. He serves as the Director of the Pledge to Our Keiki Student Ambassador Program at Kanu Hawaiʻi, as well as working closely with Kanaeokana's Our Kaiaulu Votes project. 

This inspiring panel features Native Hawaiian students from Honolulu Community College who are part of the Ola Niuhelewai Title III initiative — a five-year project rooted in mauli ola, the Native Hawaiian concept of holistic well-being. Guided by the theme “E Welo Mau ke Ea Hawaiʻi”, the haumāna will share how their experiences in the program have supported their academic success, personal healing, and cultural reconnection.

Through ʻike gained from ʻāina-based learning and a culturally grounded curriculum, panelists reflect on what it means to thrive — not just in school, but in life. Their voices embody the future of our lāhui and the rising ea of Hawaiʻi.

This inspiring panel features Native Hawaiian students from Honolulu Community College who are part of the Ola Niuhelewai Title III initiative — a five-year project rooted in mauli ola, the Native Hawaiian concept of holistic well-being. Guided by the theme “E Welo Mau ke Ea Hawaiʻi”, the haumāna will share how their experiences in the program have supported their academic success, personal healing, and cultural reconnection.

Through ʻike gained from ʻāina-based learning and a culturally grounded curriculum, panelists reflect on what it means to thrive — not just in school, but in life. Their voices embody the future of our lāhui and the rising ea of Hawaiʻi.

This inspiring panel features Native Hawaiian students from Honolulu Community College who are part of the Ola Niuhelewai Title III initiative — a five-year project rooted in mauli ola, the Native Hawaiian concept of holistic well-being. Guided by the theme “E Welo Mau ke Ea Hawaiʻi”, the haumāna will share how their experiences in the program have supported their academic success, personal healing, and cultural reconnection.

Through ʻike gained from ʻāina-based learning and a culturally grounded curriculum, panelists reflect on what it means to thrive — not just in school, but in life. Their voices embody the future of our lāhui and the rising ea of Hawaiʻi.

Kāhealani is a Kalauokekahuli Ko’okua. 

Kalauokekahuli seeks to improve birth outcomes for kanaka ‘oiwi and pasifika ‘ohana by providing free and culturally relevant prenatal, birth and postpartum support.

Pono parenting practices and creating an unseverable relationship with our children. This conversation will cover topics including healing generational trauma, embracing generational wisdom and the philosophy of "when wahine are safe, keiki are fed and kupuna are comfortable". Through these types conversations, Kalauokekahuli aims to provide tools to improve mental health outcomes among kanaka oiwi `ohana.

EA Ecoversityʻs inspiring ʻAihana Kanaka Micro-Credentialing program is the brainchild of Dr. Kū Kahakalau, founder of Hawaiʻiʻs first culture-based post-secondary career training and workforce development initiative designed for Hawaiians, by Hawaiians, and grounded in Education with Aloha (EA).  ʻAihana Kanaka aims to empower Hawaiʻiʻs next ʻŌiwi generation to sustain themselves in Hawaiʻi, stimulate economic growth in areas with significant Native Hawaiian populations and help create an economic base that is grounded in Hawaiian values, traditional land stewardship practices, collaborative partnerships, community sustainability and pathways for culture-based education attainment.

EA Ecoversityʻs inspiring ʻAihana Kanaka Micro-Credentialing program is the brainchild of Dr. Kū Kahakalau, founder of Hawaiʻiʻs first culture-based post-secondary career training and workforce development initiative designed for Hawaiians, by Hawaiians, and grounded in Education with Aloha (EA).  ʻAihana Kanaka aims to empower Hawaiʻiʻs next ʻŌiwi generation to sustain themselves in Hawaiʻi, stimulate economic growth in areas with significant Native Hawaiian populations and help create an economic base that is grounded in Hawaiian values, traditional land stewardship practices, collaborative partnerships, community sustainability and pathways for culture-based education attainment.

Nalehuaʻo Puna Donlin serves as the ʻĀina Specialist at Hulili Ke Kukui, where she helps lead Ola Niuhelewai—a Title III initiative that uplifts Native Hawaiian students through cultural mentorship, ʻāina-based learning, and holistic well-being. She is also pursuing her PhD at UH Mānoa, with research centered on Indigenous education, cultural identity, and reducing recidivism among incarcerated kānaka. Guided by aloha ʻāina and moʻokūʻauhau, her work bridges ancestral knowledge with systems transformation.

Jo Ann Kapulani Tuifanu is the Ola Pono Program Specialist for the Ola Niuhelewai Project, a Title III initiative at Honolulu Community College dedicated to uplifting Native Hawaiian student success. Through this five-year, federally funded project, she supports the development of culturally grounded programs that strengthen health literacy and well-being—rooted in the interconnectedness of ʻāina (land), ola pono (personal wellness), and mauli ola (well-being). Kapulani brings deep experience in student support, community engagement, and Native Hawaiian education.

Session: Hawaiian Storytelling in Film

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) is a nonprofit media organization that supports, amplifies, and invests in Pacific Islander stories through film, television, and digital media. With a mission to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, PIC uplifts storytelling as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and community connection.

At ʻAha Kūkalahale, PIC will host a special screening and discussion session, “Hawaiian Storytelling in Film,”featuring three powerful short films created in Hawaiʻi with strong Native Hawaiian representation both on and off screen. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and creative teams to deepen the discussion on ea, resistance, and aloha ʻāina through media.

🎥 Featured Films:

• E Mālama Pono, Willy Boy – A poignant narrative of a Native Hawaiian police officer caught between duty and identity during an eviction of Hawaiian residents.

• Hawaiian Soul – A tribute to aloha ʻāina activist George Helm, honoring his legacy through music and protest against the bombing of Kahoʻolawe.

• Family Ingredients: Molokaʻi Poke – Raiatea Helm shares the flavors and memories of her home island, revealing how food, place, and culture are beautifully intertwined.

These stories reflect the ongoing sovereignty, resilience, and cultural pride of our lāhui. In alignment with the theme “E Welo Mau ke Ea Hawaiʻi,” each film serves as a cinematic expression of what it means to reclaim identity, preserve ʻike, and breathe life into our collective moʻolelo.

Session: Hawaiian Storytelling in Film

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) is a nonprofit media organization that supports, amplifies, and invests in Pacific Islander stories through film, television, and digital media. With a mission to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, PIC uplifts storytelling as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and community connection.

At ʻAha Kūkalahale, PIC will host a special screening and discussion session, “Hawaiian Storytelling in Film,”featuring three powerful short films created in Hawaiʻi with strong Native Hawaiian representation both on and off screen. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and creative teams to deepen the discussion on ea, resistance, and aloha ʻāina through media.

🎥 Featured Films:

• E Mālama Pono, Willy Boy – A poignant narrative of a Native Hawaiian police officer caught between duty and identity during an eviction of Hawaiian residents.

• Hawaiian Soul – A tribute to aloha ʻāina activist George Helm, honoring his legacy through music and protest against the bombing of Kahoʻolawe.

• Family Ingredients: Molokaʻi Poke – Raiatea Helm shares the flavors and memories of her home island, revealing how food, place, and culture are beautifully intertwined.

These stories reflect the ongoing sovereignty, resilience, and cultural pride of our lāhui. In alignment with the theme “E Welo Mau ke Ea Hawaiʻi,” each film serves as a cinematic expression of what it means to reclaim identity, preserve ʻike, and breathe life into our collective moʻolelo.

Session: Hawaiian Storytelling in Film

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) is a nonprofit media organization that supports, amplifies, and invests in Pacific Islander stories through film, television, and digital media. With a mission to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, PIC uplifts storytelling as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and community connection.

At ʻAha Kūkalahale, PIC will host a special screening and discussion session, “Hawaiian Storytelling in Film,”featuring three powerful short films created in Hawaiʻi with strong Native Hawaiian representation both on and off screen. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and creative teams to deepen the discussion on ea, resistance, and aloha ʻāina through media.

🎥 Featured Films:

• E Mālama Pono, Willy Boy – A poignant narrative of a Native Hawaiian police officer caught between duty and identity during an eviction of Hawaiian residents.

• Hawaiian Soul – A tribute to aloha ʻāina activist George Helm, honoring his legacy through music and protest against the bombing of Kahoʻolawe.

• Family Ingredients: Molokaʻi Poke – Raiatea Helm shares the flavors and memories of her home island, revealing how food, place, and culture are beautifully intertwined.

These stories reflect the ongoing sovereignty, resilience, and cultural pride of our lāhui. In alignment with the theme “E Welo Mau ke Ea Hawaiʻi,” each film serves as a cinematic expression of what it means to reclaim identity, preserve ʻike, and breathe life into our collective moʻolelo.

Dr. Toni Bissen has a background in law, and community based nonprofit management. She is the executive director of the Pūʻā Foundation, a nonprofit organization created out of the apology, redress and reconciliation initiative of the United Church of Christ for its complicity in the 1893 illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Government, and its head of State, Queen Liliuokalani.

The Foundation’s work centers on trauma, healing, and justice, grounded in the belief that ancestral knowledge and cultural practices hold the power to heal. Through its Trauma to Transformation programs, the Foundation supports those impacted by trauma—including justice-involved women—and serves as a proud steward of the Heritage Forest, where efforts also extend to restoring native ecosystems affected by fungal disease.

"ilima Long is the Education Director at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142.  She is President of Ka ʻAhahui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina. She lives in Makiki with her daughter who attends Ke Kula Kaiāpuni ʻo Ānuenue in Pālolo Valley.

Laura Becker earned her MA in sociology from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and works as a consultant with ReadyZoneHQ, an emergency management consulting firm. She is learning web development as another way to offer value to the local community.

Tech For Good connects local Hawai’i organizations who need technical projects done with students and upskillers who are learning these skills and would like to build up their portfolios through volunteering. This allows volunteers to gain hands-on experience, form connections, and use their new skills to make a difference in their community.

I'm Misha Kahiwa, a Hawai‘i-born creative and entrepreneur who’s all about blending culture, soul, and storytelling into everything I do. From designing apps to crafting meaningful brands, I love helping people connect to what matters most. At the heart of it all, I’m just someone who’s passionate about growth, beauty, and living with intention.

Tech For Good connects local Hawai’i organizations who need technical projects done with students and upskillers who are learning these skills and would like to build up their portfolios through volunteering. This allows volunteers to gain hands-on experience, form connections, and use their new skills to make a difference in their community.

ʻO Honolulu kuʻu one hānau. Faith Kahale Saito has been employed at Honolulu Community College as the Native Hawaiian Counselor at the Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center since 2012, and has been incredibly fortunate to serve the community she originates from. She currently lives in the valley of Kalihilihiolaumiha with her ʻohana. Her professional experience has been focused in NH education for over 20 years with employment opportunities ranging from Nā Pua Noʻeau and the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. She is passionate about serving her community and continues to be involved with the Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Health Center and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. 

Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center at Honolulu Community College serves as a vital source of cultural grounding, academic support, and community for students of Hawaiian ancestry. This session, presented by Center Coordinator Kaleialoha Lum-Ho and Native Hawaiian Counselor Faith Kahale Saito, will highlight the center’s commitment to preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian culture and values within higher education. Participants will learn about the center’s comprehensive services, strategies for student success, and the importance of culturally anchored support systems that empower students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.

Papahana Aloha ʻĀina Hawaiʻi, a non-profit organization founded and guided by Native Hawaiian youth, is committed to aloha ʻāina; Hawaiian language and cultural education and scholarship; land stewardship and environmental advocacy; and youth leadership and development.  Papahana Aloha ʻĀina Hawaiʻi safeguards, nurtures, and supports our natural resources by developing educated, community-minded and engaged, contributing leaders of advocacy and stewardship grounded in Hawaiʻi.

Film Screening: Kūkini

Presented by Pacific Islanders in Communication, Kūkini is a powerful cinematic tribute to the legacy of Kanaka Maoli runner and cultural messenger Keola Kapu. This film speaks to the endurance, spirit, and kuleana of our people to carry ʻike, aloha ʻāina, and resistance across generations. Aligned with the symposium’s theme, Kūkini uplifts moʻolelo that are rooted in place, propelled by purpose, and carried forward by Indigenous storytellers. Its presence at this conference reaffirms our commitment to protecting ʻike Hawaiʻi while inspiring our collective return to ʻike kupuna as a guide for present and future movement.

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) is a nonprofit media organization that supports, amplifies, and invests in Pacific Islander stories through film, television, and digital media. With a mission to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, PIC uplifts storytelling as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and community connection.

As the Native Hawaiian Counselor at Kauaʻi Community College, Kalei Carvalho supports student success through culturally grounded academic advising, programming, and leadership development. Born and raised on Kauaʻi, she is a proud alumna of Kauaʻi Community College, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Kalei has a strong foundation in financial aid, student support services, and Native Hawaiian initiatives.

Kalei and her husband are raising their ʻohana on the ʻāina of their kūpuna. Though she is not fluent in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi herself, both of her children have been immersed in the language since preschool — one a graduate of Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School. Her work is grounded in pilina, kuleana, and a deep commitment to uplifting the lāhui that has uplifted her, by supporting Native Hawaiians through their educational journey.

With an academic background in various areas studies, Kristin has worked in higher ed for 20 years in both instructional and support capacities. Whether in the classroom, computer lab, performing research, or training others, her goal is to promote a positive, transformative educational experience for students. Her recent work critically examines the interplay between indigenous values and Western approaches to education, particularly mediated through online learning and tech tools.

Uncle John Kaohelaulii is a respected cultural practitioner and educator known for his dedication to preserving and promoting Hawaiian traditions and language. He is particularly renowned for his expertise in Kōnane, a traditional Hawaiian board game that reflects strategic thinking and cultural heritage. Through his teachings, Uncle John fosters a deeper appreciation for Hawaiian culture among both locals and visitors alike.

Professor, Kūlana Hawaiʻi: Hawaiian Programs
Coordinator, Nā Papa Hawaiʻi: Hawaiian Language & Studies
Kahu of Ka Māla o Niuhelewai
Honolulu Community College

Dr. Alapaki Luke is a professor and coordinator of Nā Papa Hawaiʻi at Honolulu Community College, where he leads Hawaiian Language and Studies under the college’s Kūlana Hawaiʻi division. As the kahu (caretaker) of Ka Māla o Niuhelewai, Dr. Luke stewards a cultural learning space rooted in ancestral practices and place-based education. His work integrates moʻolelo, ʻāina restoration, and ʻike kūpuna into curriculum and community engagement.

At ʻAha Kūkalahale, Dr. Luke will share the moʻolelo of Niuhelewai, the historic wetlands where the HonCC campus now stands — once home to over 45 loʻi kalo. Participants will learn about the return of kalo to this ʻāina, the significance of this restoration effort, and may have the opportunity to engage in hands-on, experiential learning in the māla. His presentation bridges history, healing, and Indigenous resurgence through education grounded in ʻāina.

Keiki Kaʻōpua serves as a Hawaiian Cultural Specialist in Hoʻokahua at Kamehameha Schools. He integrates genealogy, art, and technology to perpetuate traditions in ways that honor the past and empower the future. His work explores Hawaiian strategy, identity, and storytelling — sees Kōnane as both a game and gateway into ancestral thinking.

Kaleialoha Lum Ho is the Coordinator of the Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center at Honolulu Community College, where she leads culturally grounded initiatives that foster the academic, career, and personal success of Native Hawaiian students. With over 16 years of experience in Native Hawaiian education, she has focused on creating pathways to higher education. She holds a BA in Anthropology and Hawaiian Studies, an MA in Pacific Island Studies, and is pursuing a PhD in Education examining settler colonialism in higher education in Hawaiʻi.

Kamakanaokealoha "Kamakana" M. Aquino is from Waimānalo, Oʻahu.  He is the Native Hawaiian Coordinator for Hui ʻĀina Pilipili: Native Hawaiian Initiative in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.  Kamakana also leads the College's recruitment efforts and graduated with a BA Hawaiian Studies and MEd Educational Administration in Higher Education from UH Mānoa.

He popohe lehua no ka ua Kanilehua ʻo Kīhei Seto. A proud graduate of Hilo High School, Kīhei earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Economics and a Bachelor of Hawaiian Language from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, and is a doctoral candidate in the Doctorate in Education in Professional Educational Practice program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education. A dedicated language practitioner, Kīhei has intentionally centered ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi as the primary language across all spheres of life, integrating it into her previous professional roles as fiscal officer, executive administrative assistant, and educator in Native Hawaiian–serving institutions, as well as into her personal roles. She has witnessed the profound impact of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian culture in shaping her life, and she is a committed advocate for ensuring that all learners have access to such transformative experiences in their education. 

Kuuleianuhea Awo-Chun is a Kanaka ʻŌiwi educator from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, and is the current Director of Education and Culture-Based Learning at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Prior to working at OHA, she worked for over 20 years in Hawaiian-Focused Charter Schools (HFCS) as a teacher and eventually a Vice Principal. Currently a doctoral candidate in the Education Doctorate in Professional Practice Program (EdD) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, her dissertation research highlights the shared experiences of Kanaka ʻŌiwi teachers in HFCS enacting aloha ʻāina education. 

She is a graduate of KS Kapālama, BYU-Hawaiʻi, and UH Mānoa. She currently serves in the Department of Education As a kumu and a liaison for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth department. As a devoted mother of six, Kamomi draws strength and inspiration from her ʻohana and community. Her research in the EdD program focuses on makua leadership roles in kaiapuni education, with a deep commitment to uplifting Hawaiian language, culture, and identity. Grounded in ʻike kupuna and social justice, her work honors the past while helping to shape a thriving future for Native Hawaiian language educational systems. 

Punahele Kealanahele is a kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama campus with over 11 years of teaching experience, starting as a Hawaiian language instructor at James Campbell High School in ʻEwa Beach. A proud graduate of Waipahū High School, Punahele went on to study our ʻōlelo makuahine at both the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Studies from Mānoa. He continued on in UH Mānoa’s College of Education, where he received his Master of Education in Teaching from the Hoʻokulāiwi program, and he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education in Teaching Practice (EdD) there. His passions include a deep aloha for no ka ʻōlelo ʻōiwi o kākou, and advocates for its continued use in and out of the lumi papa. His research focusses lessons that can be learned from kumu who have dedicated their lives to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi education. Currently in data collection and analysis. 

A proud graduate of Ka Papahana Kaiapuni, UH West Oʻahu, and UH Mānoa, I have devoted my academic and professional journey to advocating for Kānaka Maoli communities through higher education. My experiences in Hawaiian immersion education have deepened my commitment to integrating Native Hawaiian culture and traditions into academic spaces. Currently pursuing an EdD, my research explores the experiences and outcomes of Hawaiian immersion students, focusing on how culturally grounded practices empower learners and drive systemic change. This foundation, along with my dedication to inclusive, culturally responsive education, 

Windward Community College

Hawai'i-Pacific Resources Librarian

Erica Dias shares how she’s integrating ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi into library spaces through signage, emails, social media, instruction, and presentations. As part of E Hoʻi Nā Wai, she offers practical tools—shared via QR code—for participants to begin using ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in their own work.

Kapiʻolani Community College

Kapiʻolani Community College

Assistant Professor/TECHI/Automotive Technology

Robert Silva Jr. shares how he incoporates Hawaiian culture-based practices—specifically the values and methods of loʻi kalo cultivation—into his auto mechanics and air conditioning courses. As a skilled trades educator in fields that often contribute to environmental harm, Robert uses aloha ʻāina as a guiding principle to inspire students to reflect on their impact and restore balance through culturally grounded practices. His work is a powerful example of how Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship can be woven into technical education to cultivate both skill and kuleana.

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College

Kapiʻolani Community College

LaurieAnn Takeno will present the powerful outcomes of her 2025 Action Plan, I ulu nō ka lālā i ke kumu, which inspired early childhood educators to embrace ʻāina-based education through a dynamic keynote and workshop at the ECE Conference at Honolulu Community College. Her work sparked deeper connections to moʻomeheu Hawaiʻi, ʻāina, and kuleana—rooted in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, moʻolelo, and culturally grounded teaching practices that continue to uplift and transform classrooms.

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College

Academic Counselor

Melodee Kawano and Miki Takushi will present on the importance of kilo mahina phases, reflection activities, and the Lōkahi Wheel in their roles as an Academic Advisor and Mental Health Counselor serving students. They will review pre- and post-test data and reflect on their collaboration with early childhood education faculty to integrate the action plan into their course curriculum.

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College