Kaylene Sheldon

Name Kaylene Sheldon

Age 47

Town/Moku Ka’a’awa

Island Oʻahu

Social Media Handle Kauwila Kaylene Sheldon on FB @KauwilaKelekona on Instagram

Nominated by Healani Sonada-Pale

Leadership Category Mauli Ola - Health, Personal & Family Development

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

I don’t know where to begin sometimes my plate is so full and overwhelming. I am just trying to follow my kuleana, I belong to The Queen’s Court & we are called upon to do service, serve others, honor the Ali’i at special events and to mālama ‘āina. Most of us in the Queen’s Court are the descendants of Queen Liliuokalani’s most loyal retainers and ladies in waiting. Therefore we are seen honoring and remembering Ali’i, working at events (all voluntary) at the State Capital or Iolani Palace, marches, lo’i, fishponds, etc…

I was born in Kahuku and I also work as a Hawaiian Language teacher there. I feel that it is my responsibility to take care of this precious ‘āina hānau therefore try to participate in taking care of Kalaeokaunaoa in Kahuku and I try to remain politically aware of the environment in Kahuku. Other sacred sites that I make an effort to protect is Mauna Kea. I also belong to Kū Kia’i ‘Āina (an FB group) that shares information about land rights, water, and sacred sites. I have an active group site called “Undah Kava Maddahs,” which has helped many families find their missing or runaway children. We are a group of mothers that keep an eye out in the community.

I usually raise money for other non profits such as the Microtia Community, KAHEA, Iolani Palace and the Lāhui Foundation. In addition, I try to support our indigenous rights, mo’olelo politically through the legislative process.

I also have many rescue animals, mainly rabbits and cats that people have abandoned. I am just put into these experiences and positions through relationships, growth, sometimes hardships, trauma, sadness, have been the catalyst for all these experiences.

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

The work helps me spiritually and emotionally, growth is fulfilling for me. I think my work helps build relationships in the community, aides in connecting and we need this connection in order to survive during this pandemic.

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

I admire people who are dedicated in being their “best self,” I like seeing how people have progressed in their character, transitioned through coping, hard work, maturity and are able to share their creative endeavors and talents. I admire how people work together for the collective and how more than one mind just explodes with creativity, “pohā ka mana’o.”

I find my “best self” through relationship building and cooperation with others. I express my kuleana quality in my life when I am put in a leadership position, it’s a life purpose, something I feel like I have to do. I feel like I am “growing up” with my community whenever another wind turbine is put up, or when the U.S Army wants to expand their training grounds in Kahuku etc…Leadership found me, I didn’t go looking for it, it’s the battles and mind shifting that I’ve had to endure.

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

1. My ancestors 2. Professors like Dr. Haunani Kay Trask 3. Other Nā Kanaka like George Helm, Kaleikoa Kaeo, Kalamaokaaina, Healani Sonoda, Kealoha Priscotta, Ka Lāhui Hawai’i, Keeaumoku, Wahilani, Kailana…and many more!

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

Lonoikamakahiki

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

ethnocide