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KAHUA OLOHU COMMITIME Chair: Keoni Fox 2018 Biographies Leilani Rodrigues A native of Waiobinu, Leilani exemplifies the spirit of the Hawaiian culture. Although Leilani had two years of study at Hawaii Community College, Leilani harnessed the knowledge taught by her kupuna and the many educational experiences growing up as the oldest Of 4 siblings, to become a Kumu in Zoo , at "Tutu and Me." A program under the Partners in Development Foundation, "Tutu and Me" provides a tuition free preschool which prepares students ages 0-5 to enter elementary school. Leilani worked closely with colleagues to educate students using a curriculum which emphasized the teaching of native Hawaiian values. The program is also known for its role in providing support services and resources to caregivers and their families. In2014, Leilani returned to her native land of Ka'u where she found employment in her hometown of Waiohinu as Supervisor at Pacific Quest, a horticulture therapy program for young people that cultivates change by teaching sustainable life skills in a clinically innovative and nurturing, environment. Leilani also works as an Interpretive Ranger at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kahuku Unit, where she shares stories and history of the -rugged Ka'u cowboys, the geology of the still active Mauna Loa volcano, and the myths and legends of deities and chiefs of Ka'u. Leilani has been a strong advocate for preservation and protection of natural and cultural resources in Ka'u since childhood. Standing alongside her kulmna, Leilani joined others to oppose the development of the proposed spaceport at Ka Lae as well as the proposed State prison and various resort developments along the Ka'u coastline. Leilani spends her free time participating in community beach clean-ups. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their four boys, camping, fishing, bunting, gathering and teaching valuable life, skills which include resource management and Hawaiian values. .Aar,on 'Aina Akamu 'Aina's tno'okuauhau traces back to Kekuhaupio and Pine, and bisobana has lived in Ka'u for over 200years. He was born in Pahala and raised in Na'alelm during the last two decades of Ka'u Sugar where his 1--lawaiian/Chinese/,Japanese/Sc�ottish dad was a truck driver and journeyman electrician. His mom is full Hawaiian frown Kapa'au, North Kohala and worked at the Punalu'u Black Sands Restaurant. He was also raised by his paternal grandmother, who spoke Hawaiian, and taught him many Hawaiian traditions such as la'au lapa'au, mea kanu, mea kaua, kapa, tvaihoolu'u, hula, mele, lei making and other hana noeau. After graduating from Kamebameha-Kapalama, lie earned a B.A. in Linguistics from Dartmouth College with a focus on Hawaiian Grammar and