NEWS RELEASE
Nalani Fujimori Kaina named Kamehameha Schools General Counsel and Vice President
Posted: December 5, 2022
HONOLULU (Dec. 5, 2022) – Kamehameha Schools (KS) has named Nalani Fujimori Kaina as general counsel and vice president, effective in early 2023. Kaina brings with her more than 20 years of experience in leadership and serving the legal needs of Hawaiʻi families and the Native Hawaiian community.
“Throughout her career, Nalani has focused on addressing some of the most difficult challenges faced by our families,” KS CEO Jack Wong said. “Her leadership, commitment and experience will help us continue to advance our mission of serving Native Hawaiian keiki, who are at the center of everything we do at Kamehameha Schools.”
“I am excited to join Kamehameha Schools to continue my service to the Native Hawaiian community. My years at KS Kapālama were formative and to be able to return to ensure that Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s legacy continues is such an honor,” Kaina said.
An alumnus of KS Kapālama, Kaina holds a juris doctorate from the New York University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College. She currently serves as executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, a position she held since 2009. Prior to becoming executive director, she started her career with Legal Aid as the only full-time practicing attorney on Molokaʻi and later served as Maui County managing attorney and deputy director.
Kaina is also a director with the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, a former chair of the Hawai‘i State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and a past president and Director of the Rural Community Assistance Corporation.
