Trustee Jennifer Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua

Secretary/Treasurer

Dr. Jennifer Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua’s professional career includes over two decades in academia. She currently serves as the assistant vice provost for Faculty Excellence at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Prior to her transition into executive management at UH Mānoa, she served as a political science professor from 2007 to 2021, helping to build the university’s Indigenous politics program, and was named chair of the department in 2017.

In addition to her time as an educator and administrator, Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua has over 20 years of research experience in Hawaiian and Indigenous schooling. An internationally recognized scholar, her work has addressed critical issues on Indigenous food practices and energy.

Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua serves the community as a board member for Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy and co-organizer for Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea — Honolulu. She previously served as secretary and executive board member for the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, co-founder and board president of Mana Maoli, board member for Hui o Kuapā and Hawaiʻi’s People Fund, and co-founder and board member of Hālau Kū Māna New Century Public Charter School.

A 1992 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua earned a Ph.D. in history of consciousness from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies and political science from UH Mānoa.

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The Board of Trustees