Hailama VKK Farden

Name Hailama VKK Farden

Social Media -

Age 50

Town/Moku Wai‘anae Kai

Island

 Oʻahu

Leadership Category Civic Engagement/Emerging Law

Nominated by Lu Ann Mahiki Lankford-Faborito, Leilani Kupahu-Marino Kahoano

Share with us a little about yourself and what you do. Community Strategist at Kamehameha (my 30th year with KS); Kahu of Wai‘anae Proterstant Church (for last 16 years); President of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Ikū Nahalani (Premier) of the Hale O Nā Ali‘i O Hawai‘i. Board member and Trustee of many community organizations and Non-profits; pursuing my EdD (doctorate in Organizational and Indigenous leadership). Husband to Elena and Father to HōsananuiiāIesū.

Why is the work that you do important to you? The community? Working to empower native Hawaiian leaders to maximise their civic leadership and advocacy skills to lift and strengthen Civic engagement throughout Hawai‘i. I am passionate about recording mo‘olelo, interviewing kūpuna and researching to codify ‘ike kūpuna.

Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life. Aloha is the essence of our being! I can be a little fiery at times, but will always consider the spirit of aloha and empathy as the true pathway to resolve everything.

Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing? Past: My grandparents Rudolph and Harriet Farden; Auntie Gladys Brandt, Auntie Nāpua Stevens-Poire Present: I am presently and heavily motivated by our Royal leaders of the past. It is interesting how voices and actions from the past continue to be present and active inspirations for me. Our Ali‘i and Mō‘ī from Kamehameha I to Kūhiō (Especially included are Queen Emma, Princess Pauahi and Queen Lili‘uokalani) These ali‘i, like no other world leader. considered their people - not only during their lifetime - but assured that their legacies lived beyond their lifetimes - thus we are beneficiaries today, hence very present and current for me. Future... In that same spirit, I am motivated to leave a legacy (or two) for my daughter, her children and the future, in the same manner that our Ali‘i thought of us, whom they never met, but still loved

What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui? Engagement (as in Civic Engagement)

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