Hoʻōla Nā Hawaiʻi is a registered student organization at Arizona State University advocating for Native Hawaiian students and their endeavors at ASU. At our February 8th, 2022 workshop, co-founders and co-officers Kuahealani Burgess and Lea Kekuewa shared their academic journeys, self-advocacy, building of indigenous and professional networks, and their passion for sustainability from a First Nations perspective.

Joining us for our Feb. 22 workshop are Gaylen and Noelani Kalipi. Gaylen is the finance and IT associate at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Noelani is president of Kalipi Enterprises and focuses on strategic planning around renewable energy and food security. After working in Washington, D.C. for a number of years with the late Senator Daniel Akaka, the Kalipis returned to Hawaiʻi to raise their family while continuing to work in high-impact roles. We will explore their career paths and learn how Native Hawaiians can thrive in a variety of environments, locally and abroad.

Joining us for our Feb. 22 workshop are Gaylen and Noelani Kalipi. Gaylen is the finance and IT associate at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Noelani is president of Kalipi Enterprises and focuses on strategic planning around renewable energy and food security. After working in Washington, D.C. for a number of years with the late Senator Daniel Akaka, the Kalipis returned to Hawaiʻi to raise their family while continuing to work in high-impact roles. We will explore their career paths and learn how Native Hawaiians can thrive in a variety of environments, locally and abroad.

Hoʻōla Nā Hawaiʻi is a registered student organization at Arizona State University advocating for Native Hawaiian students and their endeavors at ASU. At our February 8th, 2022 workshop, co-founders and co-officers Kuahealani Burgess and Lea Kekuewa shared their academic journeys, self-advocacy, building of indigenous and professional networks, and their passion for sustainability from a First Nations perspective.

Puakea Mo’okini-Oliveira was born and raised in Ko’olaupoko, O’ahu and now resides in Haleleʻa, Kauaʻi. After earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from California Lutheran University, Puakea eagerly returned home to Hawai‘i to turn her hands in ‘āina. Through various internships and opportunities at Kupu Hawai‘i, she has been lucky to live and work across the pae ‘āina learning about the interconnectivity of ecosystems. For two years, Puakea served as a Conservation Technician and Limahuli Garden & Preserve, a National Tropical Botanical Garden for the Hā‘ena ‘O‘opu Restoration Project, a USFWS Fish Habitat Partnership. The project focused on the canopy removal of invasive species along 1,500 ft of the stream corridor and replaced with native, endangered, and regionally endemic species to improve the habitat conditions for ‘oʻopu wai (native and endemic freshwater gobies). Through the support of a Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation fellowship, Puakea is currently a Master of Environmental Management candidate at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. With the mentorship of incredible organizations such as Nā Maka Onaona, Limahuli Garden & Preserve, and Waipā Foundation, Puakea’s capstone project is focused on effectuating a positive influence on water resource stewardship through Indigenous-driven, community-led stream monitoring programs.

Kanoe Morishige was born and raised in Kapahulu on O’ahu and is currently finishing her Ph.D. in Marine Biology at UH Mānoa. Her research focuses on biophysical drivers of intertidal ecosystems and reproductive patterns of ʻopihi and hāʻukeʻuke to create adaptive co-management regimes. For the past fourteen years through her work in the non-profit organization, Nā Maka Onaona, she has been working alongside local communities perpetuating Native Hawaiian knowledge systems, integrating western scientific tools, and building capacity of youth leadership to support ‘āina momona, healthy and productive lands, oceans, and communities. 

Kainalu Steward is an avid learner of our natural environments and its connection to our people, place, language and culture. Born and raised in Lahaina, Maui his passion for the ocean started with surfing and paddling and grew as he spent more time in these spaces with 'ohana and friends. He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Hawaiian Studies and a Marine Option Program (MOP) certificate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. He is currently a graduate student in the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science program working under Dr. Haunani Kāne. His current research project revolves around understanding sea-level rise and hurricane impacts to atoll island systems, specifically monitoring Lalo or French Frigate Shoals located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.