Krisha Zane

Name Krisha Zane

Age 28

Town/Moku Hilo

Island Hawaiʻi Island

Social Media Handle @krishazee

Nominated by Max Mukai

Leadership Category Education

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

Krisha Zane is a Native Hawaiian entrepreneur, born and raised on Oʻahu, who currently resides in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island where her parents, Leilani Makua and Mitsuo Zane grew up. Zane studied business finance and Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and has applied her skills working in accounting, data analysis, and non-profit management. As the Administrator of EA Ecoversity, a culturally-driven, higher education and career development program for Native Hawaiian youth and young adults, fiscally sponsored by Kū-A-Kanaka, Zane spearheads the development of EA Ecoversity with hopes of making this program fully sustainable. She is most passionate about food systems and sustainability, soil regeneration, and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture through hula. Krisha continues to actively serve through various capacities in order to support community infrastructure and encourage sustainable practices.

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

The groundwork of supporting the growth of EA Ecoversity is important because it is the first ever Ecoversity in the Pacific region of the world, and part of a global alliance of learners and communities who are radically reclaiming diverse knowledges, relationships, and imaginations to design new approaches to higher education. This is important to me because it will offer youth and young adults a preferred, personalized and place-based way of learning that can be applied to their daily lives and be harmoniously incorporated into their communities therefore offering the well-being of Hawaiʻi! With a strong emphasis on ecology, EA Ecoversity is essentially growing stewards of Hawaii and connecting them with the resources to implement innovative solutions to overcome 21st century challenges. Supporting efforts like this along with involvement in supporting food systems in Hawaii are very much aligned with my personal values, making it fulfilling to contribute and empower my community.

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

Innovation is a recurring theme when I think about leaders who have dreamt of solutions to navigate challenges. I think the hardest part about being innovative is that many times you might start out as a team of one- by yourself, but with perseverance and a lot of hard work, an effective leader can inspire others and find the best in others to hone in on their strengths so that they can build a team that can move like a well oiled machine. Team work makes the dream work. When faced with challenges, I also think a great leader has the ability to remain calm during a storm. The best way that I incorporate these qualities in my life is with every interaction that I make whether it is at work, home, or in the community. I hope that I can inspire others to reach their full potential.

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

Dr. Kū Kahakalau - Aunty Kū, for her vision of EA Ecoversity and providing me a platform to dream alongside her. My dear kumu, Taupouri Tangarō for instilling foundational leadership and awakening the cultural practices and passions. Sayama Roshi & Pirate Zenji for encouraging me to constantly challenge myself and find innovative ways to serve the lāhui.

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

Hilinaʻi

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

Ego