Kiana Cayabyab

Name Kiana Cayabyab

social media @kianacayabyab

Age 25

Town/Moku Kapa'a

Island Kauaʻi

Leadership Category Professional Development

Nominated by Gabrielle Kaea

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

Aloha! My name is Kiana Cayabyab and I am currently the Digital News Host/Media Specialist at the Honolulu Star Advertiser. I was born on O'ahu, and raised on the island of Kaua'i. I grew up in Kapa'a and then moved to O'ahu when I got in to Kamehameha Kapalama in the 7th grade. I then graduated from Kamehameha in 2014 and pursued my education at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California with my Bachelor's Degree. After spending some time away from home with working at prestigious companies like Fox Sports, Disney, and ABC, I moved back to Hawai'i right before the pandemic hit to compete for Miss Hawaii USA. Although I didn't take home the crown, I felt like it was God's timing and plan for me to be home. Since then, I have been heavily involved in our community with my work at Star Advertiser, with my love for dancing hula/Tahitian, as well as modeling.

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

I believe that the work that I do is extremely important to me because it constantly brings me back to my "why." I always told myself that I wanted to be someone that little girls, the Keiki, and young teens, can look up to. Being from a small town and raised by a single parent - my mom, I always wanted to strive for the greatest. I have a passion for story telling. I love to "talk story" and give a voice to the people who didn't feel confident in speaking up for themselves. I love talking to small business owners, people who have a story to tell. As for my job, I talk to people everyday whether if it's in an interview, or networking for the next news story. I also give weekly news updates through our company's social media platforms. I feel that I connect people and I also make my own connections with the people here in Hawaii and that is something that always brings me back to my "why."

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

My three main qualities that define leadership for me would be empathetic, charismatic, and empowering. As for me I feel that I am empathetic towards my peers, my colleagues, and the people that I meet. I constantly share my understanding towards people and the story they have to tell. I am charismatic because I feel that I am friendly, well-spoken, and approachable. I naturally feel that people are able to open up to me and vice-versa. As for empowering, I love to give back and give advice to those who ask me for help. Whether if it's in my workplace environment or talking to our keiki. There were so many people who felt empowering to me, and I just want to be the same to others.

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

One of my greatest inspirations to do the work that I am doing would be my mom. As cliche as it sounds, my mom has been the most solid foundation for me since I was a little girl. I remember telling her what I wanted to do when I grow up, and she always reminded me to "Go for it!" She never doubted me, never told me I wasn't good enough, but instead pushed me to be the best version of myself.

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

The right to getting educated and to educate others.

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

Overcoming adversities our lahui faces.