Kamana’o Sarsona

Name Kamana’o sarsona

Social Media @jdkamanao

Age 17

Town/Moku waimānalo

Island O’ahu

Leadership Category CULTURE

Nominated by Leināʻala Medeiros

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

Kamanaʻo Sarsona is a student at Ke Kula ʻO Samuel M. Kamakau and a running start student at Windward Community College. Since he was 9 years old he found his passion in Hawaiian music and uses it in the work he does in non-profits and programs in his community. Right now he plans on pursuing a degree in communications and music with the intent to use it for the betterment of his Lāhui.

Why is the work that you do important to you? The community? The work I do is important to me because I feel like it's a way I can help steer the future of Hawai'i. It is also an enjoyment to make connections in my community because I know Waimānalo (my community) will always be there for me to fall back on so it's important for me to give back when I can.

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

The work I do is important to me because I feel like it's a way I can help steer the future of Hawai'i. It is also an enjoyment to make connections in my community because I know Waimānalo (my community) will always be there for me to fall back on so it's important for me to give back when I can.

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

My first kumu mele Kihei Nahale-a had strong leadership skills when he would teach music and it translated over to his leadership in his work. He inspired me because I admired his ability to enjoy the work you do but to also get serious when you need to.

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

innovation

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

miscommunication