Lilia Kapuniai

Name Lilia Kapuniai

Age 47

Town/Moku Papakōlea Hawaiian Homestead

Island Oʻahu

Social Media Handle none

Nominated by Puka Asing

Leadership Category Mālama ʻĀina - Environmental Sustainability

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

I am the daughter of Norman Duke Kapuniai and Marion Kanani (Anderson) Kapuniai. I was raised on the island of Hawaiʻi, and I reside in the Hawaiian homestead community of Papakōlea. I am also a proud mother of two keiki: Kapeʻamakaloa (daughter) and Kamanaʻolaʻikū (son). I serve the homestead community as the Executive Director of the Papakōlea Community Development Corporation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that manages the Papakōlea Community Park and Center, and offers a broad range of activities and learning opportunities, with a focus on ʻIke and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. In the next 10 years we plan to build a new playground, a new basketball court, a Native Hawaiian Education and Culture Center, and a Kūpuna Care Complex. When not in Papakōlea, I can be found on a horse.

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

I view my work as a manifestation of the intentions set by the kūpuna of this ʻāīna. Papakōlea is special – its a birthing ground, a home, and a landing-point for many. And, I love this tight-knit community and the kānaka who call it home. Papakōlea has raised renown musicians, athletes, educators, kumu hula, practitioners, lei makers, caterers, collaborators…you name it. Papakōlea has created a special opportunity for me to utilize my talents in service to community/kūpuna. And for that, I am truly grateful.

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

Throughout my life, I’ve been mentored by many legendary wayfinders, in professional and personal capacities. It was really exciting to watch various wayfinders inspire others and take courageous positions during tumultuous times. And, there were instances, when I witnessed the display of key qualities at the wrong time. I believe that leadership is a lifelong journey and the appetite for various leadership styles change with time. I chuckle as I write this, because although Iʻve been in leadership positions for over 15 years, I truly feel as though my journey has just begun. ALOHA for Akua, for eachother, and your work, is to me, the most significant quality of leadership. I have found, that if I remind myself, prior to each interaction, to “walk, think and speak with aloha”, I realize the best outcome for all, and everything falls into place. I love leaders that are also solution-oriented, honest, courageous, fair, inspirational, and humble. I only wish that my leadership style embodied each of the qualities I listed above, when I retire.

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

Papakōlea inspires me to serve.

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

Educated

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

Poor-policy