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Maui Campus

Kaimana Estrella


Kaimana Estrella
Title:Hālau ʻo Kapikohānaiāmālama Director
Department: Po‘o Kula Office
Location:Maui Campus
Website:
Phone:(808) 573-7464
Email:raestrel@ksbe.edu

About me

I was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu and graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. I received a BS in Exercise and Sport Science from BYU Hawaiʻi and also a MA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi. After graduation I worked as an executive with the Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America for over five years and was mainly responsible for programming (summer and afterschool), fundraising, membersip recruitment, leadership training and cooperative learning in various geographic districts on the islands of Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and throughout Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.After going back to school for my Master's in Hawaiian Studies and working closely with Kindgdom of Hawaiʻi land documents and researching our deeper connection to ʻāina, it became quite clear to me that education is a fundamental key in building our Native Hawaiian Identity and facilitating the betterment and positive change for our lāhui. Since graduating I have worked in the Hawaiian Culture-based Education Department at the Kamehameha Schools and have been coordinated and implemented programs such as Kupa ʻĀina, Ipukukui Piʻo ʻOle and Kūlia I Ka Pono.My passion revolves around the reconnection of our people to our culture, lands and practices that allowed our ancestors to thrive and live in cooperative balance with each other and the natural environment. I believe education is one of many tools that can be used to increase our awareness and identity as Hawaiians. The confidence of knowing who you are, where you come from and what you represent will establish the foundation for a thriving Hawaiian nation that is an example and leader of sustainability and innovaiton not only here in our islands but also on a global level.