Tehani Louis-Perkins

Name Tehani Louis-Perkins

Age 25

Town/Moku Waialua

Island Oʻahu

Social Media Handle none

Nominated by Dr. Troy J.H. Andrade

Leadership Category Mālama ʻĀina - Environmental Sustainability

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

Aloha my name is Tehani and I am from Paʻalaʻa, Waialua, Oʻahu. I am currently in my third year of law school at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where I am a candidate for the Native Hawaiian and Environmental Law certificates. I was raised to be an advocate for my community and the lāhui. The kūpuna of my community raised me to understand the natural cycling of the environment, from natural springs to the seasonal spawning of certain species of fish. These kūpuna armed me with the knowledge and skills to advocate for indigenous and environmental rights and self-determination. As a law student, I continue on this mission to protect Hawaiʻi’s natural resources and uplift the knowledge of Kānaka ʻŌiwi. I work with many community organizations and leaders to research, write, advocate, and organize people around environmental and indigenous issues that need serious attention.

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

My kūleana to my community has always been to protect and advocate for our people and natural resources. At a young age, my mom and the mākua whom I refer to as the “uncles” took it upon themselves to raise me with this mindset. When I was young, many kūpuna taught me the history of Waialua and its changes throughout their lifetimes. Others showed me the flow of water from mā uka to mā kai and the irreplaceable harm that occurred to our fisheries once it ceased. These moʻolelo have instilled the importance of caring and protecting the ʻāina, kai, and moʻolelo of my home. These mākua provided the foundation for my intellectual journey to learn more about the environment from an institutional background and apply it to my community. They solidified my belief that we need more kānaka using the law to advocate for our rights as indigenous people and for the environment that sustains us.

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

A true leader embodies the spirit and practice of aloha ʻāina. ʻĀina evokes powerful sensory and emotional connections for kānaka as they associate ʻāina with activities, family members or relationships, events, or genealogical histories. Terms such as ʻāina, aloha ʻāina, and kuaʻāina all reflect the undeniable bond between the ʻāina and kānaka. For one to embody aloha ʻāina, they understand the relationship of ʻāina to families and the practices that extend back to time immemorial. They live the often quoted mantra of “I am this land, and this land is me.” I aspire to be an aloha ʻāina leader who is selfless and full of love for not only their cause but for the people around them. As a leader, it is essential to understand when to speak and the importance of stepping back and encouraging others to speak. That is the type of leader I aspire to be in my life, career, and to my people. I try to live these values and themes in my life and the work I do for my community and the lāhui. Embodying aloha ʻāina allows me to use my legal skills to assist communities fighting for environmental and indigenous justice.

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

Honestly, the inspiration for the work that I do comes from the kūpuna of my community and the ʻŌiwi leaders who have dedicated their lives to hoʻoulu lāhui. I dedicate my work to the kūpuna who selflessly raised a girl who used to run around the sands of Māeaea curiously, asking a million questions about the iʻa, limu, and the wai that flows through our area. I also dedicate this continuous hana to the meʻe who have created this opportunity for young kānaka like myself to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

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

Hoʻoulu

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

Wai