Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 6, 1 June 2018 — Diane Maka'ala Kaneali'i inspires through service [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Diane Maka'ala Kaneali'i inspires through service

Robert K. Lindsey, Jr. TrusfEE, HawEi'i

Aloha nui kākou! I would like to first extend my aloha to all who are facing extreme

Ē \ situations in Puna and / \all throughout our pae 'āina. Our hearts and pule are with you. Please know that we are trying to do what we ean to kōkua along with other state and county agencies. E kōkua aku ā kōkua mai! In times of challenge or as some would say "opportunity," I often look right in front of me on Hawai'i Island, on Moku O Keawe, to find inspiration. Many of our neighbors, both yours and

mine, often have their own challenges, their own "opportunities." As I watch them overeome these challenges and proceed forward to the best of their ability, I am often amazed at what is accomplished. This month, I would like to share one such person with all of you and share a little bit about what she tries to do for her community. Her name is Diane "Maka'ala" Kaneali'i and she was born on O 'ahu in the mid-fifties. She was raised between Pu'u Hue Ranch in Kohala and Volcano agriculture lands. She graduated from Hilo High School and eontinued her education at Hawaii Community College where she received her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credentials. She then continued to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. She wed her husband, Roger "Maha" Mo'ikeha Kanealii Jr., in 1985. Together, they raised five children and are now proud grandparents of twelve mo'opuna. After retiring as a nurse of thirty-eight years, her dedication turned to helping her community grow and bringing parity to her Hawaiian Homes community. Since 2014, she has served as the Kailapa Community Association (KCA) Executive Director and Project Manager. Prior to her current position, she served nine years on the KCA Board. Her community work also extends to serving as the County of Hawaii Community Development Action Committee Chair; member of Na Maka O Papahanaumokuakea, Kai Kuleana Network, and South Kohala Coastal Partnership; advisory

board member of Value Growth Associates; and an active participant on the KCA Emergency Response Team.

Let me share just a few of the significant milestones or aeeomplishments reached on behalf of the Kailapa Hawaiian Homestead community. • 501(c)3 non-profit designation • Community entrance sign • Ala Kahakai Trails Association and UH anthropology class partnership that resulted in an archeologic survey of historical lands

• 14.33-acre fence protection from ungulates and native plant revegetate with support from DLNR and NOAA • Native plant propagation and outplanting to decrease erosion and sediment entering the oeean with help from the Waikoloa Dry Forest Reserve • Implemented community planning sessions in partnership with a UH Department of Urban and Rural Planning class that became the foundation to the 14.33-acre Master Plan • Children's playground installed in part by community volunteers • Fire Wise Certified Community • 3,200 sf. Community Pavilion eonstructed in part by community volunteers • 25 x 100 ft greenhouse constructed by volunteers to support food security via aquaponics with assistance from Waimea and Papakolea Hawaiian Homesteaders • Annual Kawaihae Na Kilo Aina Camp implemented since 2012 (resource management and sustainability) in partnership with Na Maka O Papahanuamokuakea All these things and more were aeeomplished through paīienee, dedication and most importantly...ALOHA. She is someone who I truly believe does everything with aloha. When a new problem, challenge or "opportunity" arises, she and "Maha" have a discussion and next thing you know, she is off and running. Her hope is that our Hawaiian community reaches self-reliance, so we ean THRIVE, not just survive. Mahalo nui e Maka'ala for all your service to your community and to our people. I MUA! ■