Imaikalani Winchester

Name Imaikalani Winchester

Age 41

Town/Moku Waipio

Island Oʻahu

Social Media Handle -

Nominated by Noelani Goodyear-Kaopua, Kanaloa Bishop

Leadership Category Education

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

Since the early 2000ʻs I have been a frontline educator in the Hawaiian charter school movement, a kanaka cultural practitioner, a political activist and organizer of ka La Hoihoi Ea Honolulu, the annual celebration of Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day at Thomas Square and throughout the month of July.

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

The resucitation of our culture and language play a critical role in the reclamation of our identity as kanaka and Hawaiians. Creating spaces to conscientize our community in culture, history and politics is an essential formula for the health and well being of our people but also the liberation and sovereignty of our nation. The work we create activiates our ea and kuokoa.

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

Mana is an important quality in leadership. It is inherited, it is acquired, it is given and it is contagious. A leader with mana has worked hard to hone their skill, intellect, values and philsophies through continuous action and reflection. Always humble and accountable to their foundational teachings and lahui.

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

My greatest inspiration comes from my family. My parents, Jim and Emerald, brothers, Kaleo and Kanoe, raised me to always care of our ohana and to help others in our community who need it. It is the foundation for my activity with our lahui.

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

Ea

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

Kuokoa