Hayden Konanui-Tucker

Name Hayden Konanui-Tucker

Social Media @hkonanuitucker

Age 17

Town/Moku Keonepoko, Pāhoa, Puna, Moku o Keawe

Island Hawaiʻi Island

Nominated by Piilani Kaawaloa

Share with us a little about yourself and what you do. Aloha. My name is Hayden Konanui-Tucker and I am a current senior at Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i. Both in school and in my community I am a servant leader to my ‘ohana, kula and lāhui. I am a member of “Mālama Hāloa Hui Ku’i Kalo” which is a group that is based out of Puna, Hawai’i dedicated to kalo cultivation and ku’i preservation. Within our hui, we travel to and host different events both in Puna and throughout moku o Keawe with the main purpose of educating our lāhui in things to do with Hāloanakalaukapalili. From learning about the many varieties of our kupuna kalo, the art of kālai papa and pōhaku ku’i ‘ai, and teaching our community on one way to ku’i kalo. This hui was created in honor of my kupuna kāne, ‘Anakala Jerry Konanui. With the work that our hui does, we honor my papa’s legacy in keeping the mo’olelo of our eldest brother, Hāloanakalaukapalili in the hearts and mind of our people across our pae ‘āina.

Why is the work that you do important to you? The community? The work that I do is important to me and my community in many ways. For me, first and foremost, my work is always done in honor of my papa’s legacy to Hāloanakalaukapalili. Before my papa passed away, he was known for his work with kalo cultivation and ku’i preservation. With the work that I do in my school and community, I am able to honor my ʻohana as well as preserve an important part of our Hawaiian culture.

Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life. When it comes to leadership, the idea of not only being a leader but being a servant leader has been instilled within me from my ‘ohana and kula. Being able to lead by example and honoring all the people who got me to the point that I’m at. To me, servant leadership is all about using the role of being a leader as an opportunity to serve others before myself.

Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing? My kupunakāne - Jerry Konanui.

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

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

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