Hānai nō ka ua i ka ululā‘au (rains always follow the forest). Just as her kūpuna understood that forests bring rain to the ‘āina, Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop recognized education's transformative power for her lāhui. As a beneficiary of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi's estate—both as a Kamehameha Schools graduate and postsecondary scholarship recipient—Dr. Oliveira acknowledges that the educational opportunities she received would not have been possible without Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s generosity. Therefore, she has dedicated her professional career to advancing Hawaiian education.
Dr. Oliveira brings demonstrated executive leadership, strategic planning experience, and cultural practice that align directly with the mission of Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha. Currently serving as Interim Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, she provides executive leadership for comprehensive student services with a multi-million-dollar budget. As the senior student affairs officer and policy advisor to the Provost, she oversees strategic initiatives impacting the well-being, academic success, and engagement of over 20,000 students. Her 25-year leadership journey includes serving for nearly a decade as Director of Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, where she worked with faculty to establish Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge—the only college of indigenous knowledge in a Research I institution in the United States. She recruited and mentored faculty, managed budgets, developed strategic plans, and promoted excellence in teaching, research, and service, advancing from Assistant Professor to Full Professor of Hawaiian Language.
Dr. Oliveira’s academic foundation reflects a deep commitment to Hawaiian language, culture, and ‘ike kupuna. She earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She continued her graduate studies at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, earning a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts in Geography, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution. This interdisciplinary training positions her to bridge traditional Hawaiian knowledge with contemporary educational leadership while navigating complex organizational challenges with cultural integrity.
Her strategic planning experience spans higher education and K-12 settings. As a member of the University of Hawai‘i System's 2023-2029 Strategic Plan steering committee, she helped shape direction for three universities and seven community colleges. Demonstrating her commitment to Hawaiian immersion education, she facilitated stakeholder discussions and authored five- and ten-year strategic plans for an ‘āina-based independent Hawaiian medium elementary school. She co-developed ‘ōiwi leadership training for emerging Kanaka ‘Ōiwi leaders across the pae ‘āina, expanding their professional networks. She co-designed and implemented place-based experiential Hawaiian language immersion camps that create authentic learning environments connecting keiki to ‘āina, language, and culture—innovative approaches directly applicable to K-12 educational excellence.
As a Kanaka ‘Ōiwi scholar, Dr. Oliveira's research advances Hawaiian language revitalization, place-based education, and indigenous epistemologies. Her book Ancestral Places: Understanding Kanaka Geographies (Oregon State University Press) explores the profound relationship between Kanaka ‘Ōiwi and ancestral lands. She has delivered keynote addresses at prestigious international venues including the American Educational Research Association Presidential Session and the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names. Her extensive scholarship includes an edited volume on Kanaka ‘Ōiwi methodologies, numerous book chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Recognition for her excellence includes Omidyar Fellow, the Chancellor's Award for Meritorious Teaching, and the Laeo‘o Award for Outstanding Doctoral Work on Native Hawaiian Education. She has served as Full Graduate Faculty and Graduate Chair of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, preparing future educators and leaders who advance Hawaiian language and culture.
Dr. Oliveira’s leadership philosophy is grounded in Hawaiian cultural principles and Christian values. She embraces kuleana as both privilege and profound responsibility. She believes one of the highest compliments that can be paid to a leader is “he ‘ōpū ali‘i” (to have become someone who possesses the traits and virtues of a benevolent chief). Her vision aligns with the E Ola! framework and Strategic Plan 2030: cultivating tradition alongside innovation to develop ‘ōiwi leaders. Like a thriving forest sustaining community, she believes educational institutions must steward resources, empowering everyone to fulfill their kuleana through synergy and collective excellence.
Dr. Oliveira understands that the Po‘o Kula bears profound kuleana for guiding students, faculty, and the school community toward educational and cultural enrichment of Kanaka ‘Ōiwi children. Like the naha stone that Kamehameha I lifted, the Po‘o Kula must courageously carry the weight of the lāhui while striving for educational excellence. This requires bridging tradition and innovation, ensuring Ke Ali‘i Pauahi's vision remains relevant and responsive to evolving needs. She understands Po‘o Kula must engage authentically with students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader Hawaiian community, cultivating pilina and trust.
These are challenging times for Kamehameha Schools, with litigation threatening Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s legacy. As a kumu koa—a warrior for educational success of the lāhui— Dr. Oliveira is prepared to lift the naha stone, demonstrating dedication to fulfilling Pauahi’s enduring legacy.
Having benefited significantly from Pauahi’s legacy, Dr. Oliveira seeks to pay it forward by supporting Kamehameha Schools’ mission to “fulfill Pauahi's desire to create educational opportunities in perpetuity to improve the capability and well-being of people of Hawaiian ancestry.” Just as kūpuna understood the relationship between forests and rains, sound educational decisions by the Po‘o Kula today will advance Kanaka ‘Ōiwi education for future generations. I mua e nā pōki‘i!
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
