Keoni Shizuma
Name Keoni Shizuma
Age 39
Town/Moku Kaneohe
Island Oʻahu
Social Media Handle @davidkeonis (IG)
Nominated by Ileana Ruelas
Leadership Category Civic Engagement/Emerging Law
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.
Professionally I'm a Project Manager at Kamehameha Schools, bringing people together to complete projects and keep initiatives moving forward. I'm also the President of the Hulu Mamo Hawaiian Civic Club, as well as the Resolutions Committee Chair of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?
I feel many Hawaiians are very knowledgeable and have a voice but don't know where or how to get their voice heard. By getting involved with Hawaiian Civic Clubs, we are able to express our opinions and create avenues to get our thoughts and perspectives seen and heard by those involved in the creation of our laws. I know how it is to feel like our voices and opinions are not being heard.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.
Humility, continual learning and growth, and being brave enough to stand up for our thoughts and opinions. It's ok to be wrong and make mistakes, as long as we are learning from them and not continuing to make the same mistake. I try to also stand for what I believe in, even if those around me don't agree with me.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?
Many many leaders who have crossed my path...former supervisors and colleagues.
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?
ʻŌlelo
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?
Ea