Kekaha K.P. Spencer

Name Kekaha K.P. Spencer

Age 48

Town/Moku Waiʻanae Moku

Island Oʻahu

Social Media Handle @kumukekaha

Nominated by Kainoa Kaulukukui-Narikawa

Leadership Category Education

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

My role as the Science Coach at Waiʻanae Intermediate School gives me opportunities to collaborate with science teachers as we continue building and implementing a Waiʻanae ʻāina-based curriculum which supports and engages students in a lifelong understanding of the relationality between them and the natural environment in their community and beyond.

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

The work I do is important and fulfilling to me not only because I grew up, raised a family, and continue to live in Waiʻanae Moku, but also because as a KS-Kapālama graduate, it is part of my kuleana to be in service to my community and give back through education. It's important for my community because we are committed to uplifting the students to learn more about Waiʻanae through moʻolelo, aloha ʻāina, ʻike kūpuna, and western science and become the stewards of our wahi pana.

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

Some of the qualities of leadership I admire include being authentic and making decisions that align with my naʻau, values, and beliefs; maintaining self-awareness and humility in serving a greater cause by working in service of my community; and surrounding myself with fellow leaders knowing that these kinds of relationships are key to inspiring trust and confidence in my own abilities so that I may one day also become a leader who creates and nurtures other leaders.

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

The kupu of Waiʻanae inspire me to do this work.

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?

ʻāina