Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Lonoa Honua LLC
Location: Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani, Chief Executive Officer at Lonoa Honua LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in Hawaii rituals in Indigenous Knowledge.
Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani has established a notable career rooted in the preservation and advancement of Hawaiian culture, indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship. For more than a decade, she has served as the chief executive officer of Lonoa Honua LLC, where she works closely with conservation professionals and leads weekend workshops designed to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Under Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani’s leadership, Lonoa Honua LLC has become a vital platform for integrating traditional Hawaiian practices with contemporary approaches to ecological health.
A defining achievement in Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani’s career has been her role as the co-creator of Hawaii Life Styles, a culturally grounded professional development and training initiative known as I Ola Haloa. This program brings together individuals from medicine, psychiatry, business and agriculture to examine their relationships with nature and their contributions to community well-being. The space Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani established is recognized for its formal yet distinctly Hawaiian environment, reflecting her commitment to holistic health and cultural integrity.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani served as a Hawaiian studies teacher and coordinator, roles through which she cultivated educational programs that emphasized cultural heritage and environmental awareness. Her teaching experience laid the foundation for her later achievements in professional development and community engagement.
Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani’s academic background has been instrumental in shaping her approach to leadership and education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawaii at Hilo in 1994, followed by a Master of Education from Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington, in 1997. Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani is currently pursuing a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at Quantum University in Honolulu, Hawaii, to deepen her understanding of holistic health practices. Her educational journey reflects a persistent curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning.
Beyond her professional roles, Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani has contributed significantly to civic life as a senior scholar at The Kohala Center, a community nonprofit in Kamuela, Hawaii, for 20 years. She is also affiliated with the Honokea Fish Pond, supporting initiatives that promote environmental restoration and community resilience, and is an active member of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani is presently collaborating with the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge to preserve upper forest lands and create ecological corridors linking highland forests to lowland farming areas. A primary focus is on saving the endangered ‘Ohi‘a lehua tree, a species vital to the island’s ecosystem, by regenerating forest landscapes and strengthening connections between community, culture and nature.
Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani’s influence extends into public discourse through various projects, including serving as a keynote speaker at the Hawaii Conservation Alliance Conference in 2018, where she shared insights into conservation strategies rooted in indigenous wisdom. Throughout her career, she has attributed her success to persistence, deep curiosity and a sense of wonder about diverse perspectives.
Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani’s pioneering work has been recognized with the Innovator of the Year honor from the Hawaii Conservation Alliance in 2018. She also received a Chant Award in 2022. Inspired by her grandmother’s mantra to “teach everyone,” Ms. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani’s legacy is defined by her unwavering dedication to cultural preservation, environmental advocacy and community empowerment across Hawaii.
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