LeShay Keliiholokai

Name LeShay Keliiholokai

Age 37

Town/Moku Ko’olaupoko

Island Oʻahu

Social Media Handle none

Nominated by Miki Carvalho-Mattos

Leadership Category Mauli Ola - Health, Personal & Family Development

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

My name is LeShay Keliiholokai. I am born and raised in Waimānalo. I am a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and got my Bachelors degree from Hawai’i Pacific University in Pre-Medical Studies. After graduating I had the honor and privilege to work for a non-profit called Hui Malama o Ke Kai for over 9 years. During my time with the organization I was able to create and develop the ‘Ōpio leadership program. I then went on to pursue my graduate degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I am currently employed at Lili’uokalani Trust (LT) as a youth development specialist. At LT my kuleana is to plan and develop curriculum for an array of various programs that is implemented with kamali’i in the Ko’olaupoko district as well as statewide. My passion is to work with Native Hawaiian ‘ōpio, providing them a safe and productive environment to realize and reach their full potential.

I currently serve on the board of Ke Kula Nui o Waimānalo (KKNOW), a non-profit organization devoted to provide a community of practice through collaboration of Kānaka to promote strong and healthy ahupuaʻa. KKNOW has built a list of programs to help the native community to be come more self-sustainable. From replenishing limu and the marine ecosystem, to home aquaponcis systems providing the household with food/medicine and ensuring ethically responsible community research our program list grows to service those needs that long to be satisfied.

I believe that through art we are able to explore emotional, behavioral, and social challenges to better understand the human psyche, allowing access to one’s core self. My goal is to help bridge what I learned in western academia with Native Hawaiian culture and values, to better serve the Hawaiian community in processing and healing.

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

The work that I do is important to me because it is always centered around kaiāulu. Building up kaiāulu in every aspect is what drives me daily. Making sure that the kaiāulu as a whole is safe, secure and thriving. Without a healthy kaiāulu, we as individuals aren’t healthy. We as Native Hawaiians need to look at health on a holistic level. Our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health needs to be at the forefront and the goal to heal inter generational and historical trauma. These things are important to me because of my immense love for my kaiāulu.

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

The leadership qualities that I admire is encompassed in ALOHA:

A- akahai

L- lōkahi

O- ‘olu’olu

H- ha’aha’a

A- ahonui

To be a leader I believe you need to be kind, work in harmony with others, be pleasant, be humble and have patience.

I strive to be kind to others always. I work collectively and cohesively with others in various situations both personally and professionally. I strived to be agreeable and pleasant when dealing with others. I never forget who and where I come from and honor their teachings and beliefs in everything that I do. Lastly I try to have patience and understanding in every situation I am in. My intent is to live ALOHA in all that I do and say.

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

The kupuna and ‘ōpio inspire me to do more and do better! It is my kuleana to learn from our kupuna, so that our ‘Ike kupuna aren’t lost. It is also my kuleana to teach and inspire the ‘ōpio with the teachings that my kupuna have blessed me with.

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

‘Ōpio

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

Trauma