Kamehameha Schools has named Nālani Blane Kealaiki regional director of ʻEwa – a position within KS’ Community Engagement and Resources Group (CE&R).
Kealaiki is responsible for aligning KS’ education services with the community’s needs in the ‘Ewa region. The region spans from the Kahauiki ahupua‘a (bordering the ‘ewa end of Kalihi) through the Honouliuli ahupua‘a (bordering Nānākuli).
Her kuleana include assessing how resources from KS and the community are being used and determining how to optimize those resources in a way that improves student success throughout the region. Kealaiki’s leadership in these areas will help guide KS as it contributes to the community’s efforts to improve Hawaiʻi’s educational systems, which is a goal within KS’ Strategic Plan 2020 and Strategic Vision 2040.
“The foresight of our Princess Pauahi to provide the means for her people to improve their well-being through the legacy she left is something I have always found inspiring,” says Kealaiki. “‘Ewa, a district famous for the chiefs of Oʻahu, will be the core of my work and serving the thousands of Hawaiian families living in the moku will be my kuleana.”
Prior to joining KS, Kealaiki served as a program manager and administrator for the past 15 years. Her extensive knowledge of project development includes research and analysis as well as planning and implementation.
Additionally, Kealaiki is a past fellow of the First Nations’ Futures Program, an annual program initiated by KS that develops well-balanced leaders who serve their communities through important work in community, public or professional roles.
Most recently, Kealaiki worked at Olomana Loomis ISC, where she served as a lead project consultant on KS’ Kona Oʻahu (Honolulu) Regional Action Plan. Kealaiki served as the client liaison and worked directly with key KS personnel in order to facilitate the development of the action plan.
“As a result of Kealaiki’ s seasoned professional career, she brings diverse expertise in managing strategic planning, outreach initiatives and community-based programs to Kamehameha Schools,” says Kamuela Cobb-Adams, senior director of O‘ahu for CE&R.
Added Kealaiki: “Recognizing the diligent efforts of educators and community members who are working with the wide array of learners from Moanalua to Honouliuli, my aim will be to raise awareness of programs available to Hawaiians and to expand existing partnerships while developing new partnerships in the region. To think that the work we will be embarking on now, will cultivate initiatives that enlighten the minds of our keiki to an abundance of opportunity is humbling and meaningful to me.”
A graduate of KS Kapālama, Kealaiki is originally from Maui and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is a past president of the Lōkahi Canoe Club and is currently a board member of Pacific Islanders in Communication, a Honolulu-based nonprofit that supports Pacific Island media content and culture.
The foresight of our Princess Pauahi to provide the means for her people to improve their well-being through the legacy she left is something I have always found inspiriting. ‘Ewa, a district famous for the chiefs of Oʻahu, will be the core of my work and serving the thousands of Hawaiian families living in the moku will be my kuleana.
Nālani Kealaiki, KS Regional Director of ʻEwa
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