The biggest inspiration for me has always been the people who invested in me. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by mentors, teachers, and community leaders who believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow. Their support created in me a deep sense of kuleana, or responsibility, to carry that forward. That is what led me into public service and my work with the Native Hawaiian community.
For me, this path has never been about chasing personal recognition. It has always been about honoring the investment others made in me by opening doors for those who come after and proving that Hawaiian culture and values are not just part of our history but powerful tools for the challenges we face today.
Early bird or night owl and what’s your morning routine like?
These days I am definitely an early bird. I wake up before sunrise, usually around 4:00 am and spend the first hour working out. That time clears my head, grounds me, and gets me focused for the day ahead. If I don’t take that time, the day gets swept up by meetings, calls, and family responsibilities. By the time most people are starting their morning, I already feel sharper, calmer, and more intentional. That routine has become my way of making sure I start each day on the right note.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned the hard way but are grateful for?
I’ve learned you can’t be everything to everybody. When I first started my career as a fresh-face twenty-year-old kid, I wanted to please everyone and I stretched myself too thin. I said yes too often and paid for it with my own well-being. Over time, I realized leadership is not about winning everyone’s approval. It is about making thoughtful choices that align with your values, even when those decisions aren’t popular. That was not easy to accept at first, but it taught me to lead with integrity and conviction. You may not make everyone happy, but you will earn their respect and that shift has been transformative in both my professional and personal life.
What has been your proudest “pinch me” moment so far?
At thirty, I can’t point to a single proudest moment, but I am proud of the things I have been able to be a part of. Serving as communications director for the Hawaiʻi State Senate during the state’s Covid-19 response was one of the most intense experiences of my life, and I learned so much from being on the frontlines.
More recently, I have been part of the historic merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, which is shaping Hawaiʻi’s future in ways that will be felt for generations. Looking back, I still have those “pinch me” moments where I feel grateful to have been at the table where major decisions are being made. For me, the pride comes from knowing I have contributed to work that matters and will have lasting impacts in our community
How do you want to make a difference in your community?
For me, it always comes back to the next generation. Whether through my work with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines or through the different community hats I wear, the most important difference I can make is ensuring my children and every keiki in Hawaiʻi have the chance to live and thrive here.
Too often our young people feel like they need to leave home for opportunity or sacrifice closeness to family for career. I do not believe that should be the case. I want to help create a Hawaiʻi where growth is sustainable, rooted in our values, and inclusive of our people. If I can play even a small role in creating those opportunities, then the impact will ripple forward as our keiki grow into confident leaders of their own.
