“Pauahi is a mana wahine and a true servant leader. I’m just one of the many branches from her legacy of giving, and with that privilege comes
a great sense of kuleana to serve others.”
Malia Ka‘aihue’s view on life can be summed up by the saying “E ulu nō ka lālā i ke kumu” or “the branches grow because of the trunk.” For her, that trunk or source of growth comes from her culture, her family and Pauahi.
The 1997 Kamehameha graduate is the head of DTL – a Hawaiian strategy studio she cofounded in 2013. The outreach and branding firm has worked on such projects like NextEra Energy Inc.’s proposed $4.3 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Co., the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Kaka‘ako Makai conceptual master plan and the redevelopment of the International Market Place Waikīkī.
As an up-and-coming leader in the Hawai‘i business community, Malia was named to Pacific Business News’ “40 Under 40” in 2016, an annual award which recognizes exceptional young Hawai‘i business leaders, and as a 2017 Omidyar fellow. Her motivation is not driven by the awards or success, but more from what makes her happy, which is being there for her family and serving others.
Malia chooses to give back to the lāhui through the Pauahi Foundation because of all that Pauahi has given to her.
As Pauahi did, Malia wants to help the next generation of Hawaiian learners become future leaders who will uplift our Hawaiian community and the state of Hawai‘i as whole.
To help broaden Pauahi’s reach, please consider a gift today.