Desiree Graham

Name Desiree Graham

Age 53

Town/Moku Hana

Island Maui

Leadership Category Education

Nominated by Blossom Feiteira

Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.

Born in Hana, Maui to the Wilhelm-Kalalau-Manaois ʻOhana I grew up in a very small, close-knit community, I learned some basic understanding of Kuleana. As I grew older, the concept of Kuleana grew with me.

I currently live on Hawaiian Home Lands in Kahikinui with my significant other. While I do not qualify as a beneficiary myself, I am privileged to be living in such a special place. I began to get involved through participating in community workdays and community meetings. Eventually, I was asked to join the board of directors of Ka ʻOhana O Kahikinui.

As I began to build my skills, my one hanau began calling me home, and began to get involved in the formation of another community organization, Wakiu Community Development Corporation, and serve as the board Secretary. Through interactions with other community leaders, I began to realize that serving the community through education and advocacy would be an area where we could make significant changes that would uplift our community and our Lāhui.

Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?

As a Kanaka, we all carry an inherent Kuleana to the ʻāina and to the people that live on that ʻāina. The work that I have chosen to carry, allows me to build bridges among the community, with other community organizations and government. Helping my community understand the “process” better, allows us as a community to achieve success in areas that are important to us. This process provides us with the knowledge and skills that allows us to lift ourselves up, and in doing so, we also lift up our community and future generations.

Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.

Respectful, selfless, great communicator, transparent, ability to encourage & uplift others. I have learned that the best way to express my leadership qualities is to do the work! The work I do expresses my respect for those that I admire, but also because they took the time to teach me.

Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?

My father-in-law, Edward G. K. Aimoku Pali, Sr.

What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?

Housing

What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?

Housing