Join KAHĀ: Board Leadership Opportunities Now Open
Ka ʻAha Hoʻolauna Aloha (KAHĀ) is seeking thoughtful, committed, and community-minded leaders to serve on our Board of Directors.
KAHĀ exists to preserve, perpetuate, and celebrate ʻike Hawaiʻi and nohona Hawaiʻi through education, cultural practice, community engagement, and lifelong learning. As our organization continues to grow, we are building a Board that reflects the knowledge, experience, relationships, and diverse perspectives necessary to steward our mission for generations to come.
Board service with KAHĀ is more than a leadership position. It is a commitment to aloha, kuleana, stewardship, collaboration, and service.
We welcome candidates from Hawaiʻi, the continent, and beyond who believe in our mission and are prepared to contribute their time, expertise, relationships, and aloha to KAHĀ and the communities we serve.
Board Service at a Glance
KAHĀ Board Members serve as fiduciaries, ambassadors, strategic advisors, and stewards of the organization.
Board Members are expected to:
Actively participate in Board meetings, strategic planning, and organizational governance.
Serve on or meaningfully contribute to Board committees and organizational priorities.
Exercise independent judgment while supporting decisions made collectively by the Board.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with KAHĀ's conflict-of-interest, financial, governance, and ethical policies.
Complete required annual disclosures and governance requirements.
Support KAHĀ's fundraising, partnership development, community engagement, and philanthropic efforts.
Represent KAHĀ positively within professional, cultural, philanthropic, and community networks.
Contribute their knowledge, experience, relationships, and leadership toward advancing KAHĀ's mission.
Participate in KAHĀ's annual $500 Board give-or-get commitment, which may be fulfilled through personal giving, fundraising, sponsorships, qualifying philanthropic support, or a combination thereof.
Service on the KAHĀ Board of Directors is a volunteer governance role.
What We Are Looking For
1. Mission & Cultural Alignment
First and foremost, we seek individuals who believe deeply in KAHĀ's purpose and understand the responsibility of stewarding an organization dedicated to Hawaiian knowledge, culture, community, and learning.
Strong candidates:
Demonstrate a sincere commitment to preserving and perpetuating ʻike Hawaiʻi and nohona Hawaiʻi.
Respect the knowledge, traditions, practices, and communities KAHĀ exists to serve.
Embrace KAHĀ's Code of Pono and values of aloha, kuleana, laulima, haʻahaʻa, lōkahi, integrity, and stewardship.
Value thoughtful dialogue, collaboration, transparency, and ethical decision-making.
Understand that Board service requires placing the interests and mission of KAHĀ above individual interests.
Candidates do not need to bring the same experiences or perspectives. We believe a strong Board is built when people with different areas of knowledge come together around a shared commitment to purpose.
2. Strategic Skills & Professional Expertise
We are intentionally building a Board whose collective expertise can strengthen KAHĀ's governance, impact, sustainability, and long-term growth.
We especially welcome candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
Hawaiian education, cultural practice, language revitalization, or curriculum development
Nonprofit governance, executive leadership, or organizational development
Finance, accounting, audit, investment, or risk management
Law, compliance, ethics, or public policy
Philanthropy, fundraising, grantmaking, or donor engagement
Marketing, communications, public relations, branding, or digital strategy
Government, community relations, or public affairs
Hospitality, tourism, conference, or event management
Human resources, talent development, or volunteer engagement
Technology, cybersecurity, information management, or digital transformation
Candidates are not expected to possess expertise in every area. We are building a Board whose strengths complement one another.
3. Diversity of Knowledge, Perspective & Experience
KAHĀ believes thoughtful representation strengthens governance.
We seek leaders who bring different:
Professional backgrounds and areas of expertise
Generational perspectives
Community and cultural experiences
Geographic perspectives from Hawaiʻi, the continent, and the broader global Hawaiian community
Professional, philanthropic, civic, educational, and cultural networks
Lived experiences and approaches to leadership
Our goal is not sameness. It is to bring together people whose collective knowledge and perspectives strengthen our ability to make pono decisions in service to KAHĀ's mission.
4. Community Leadership & Relationships
Board Members help extend KAHĀ's reach beyond the Boardroom.
Strong candidates may bring trusted relationships across Native Hawaiian, educational, cultural, nonprofit, philanthropic, business, government, civic, or community networks and are willing to help strengthen connections that advance our mission.
This may include:
Cultivating strategic partnerships
Connecting KAHĀ with prospective funders, sponsors, collaborators, and community partners
Strengthening relationships with cultural practitioners, educators, institutions, and community leaders
Expanding awareness of KAHĀ and its work
Serving as an informed and enthusiastic ambassador for the organization
We value not only who candidates know, but how they build and steward relationships.
5. Active Governance & Accountability
KAHĀ seeks Board Members who understand that effective governance requires active participation.
Board Members should be prepared to:
Come prepared and participate meaningfully in Board and committee work.
Ask thoughtful questions and exercise sound, independent judgment.
Contribute professional expertise without assuming an operational management role.
Support strategic planning and monitor organizational progress.
Fulfill fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and obedience.
Identify and appropriately disclose potential conflicts of interest.
Respect the distinction between individual perspectives and collective Board decisions.
Follow through on commitments and accept accountability for Board responsibilities.
Board service is both an honor and a responsibility.
6. Philanthropic Leadership
We believe philanthropy begins with leadership.
Every Board Member participates in KAHĀ's annual $500 give-or-get commitment. This commitment may be fulfilled through personal giving, fundraising on behalf of KAHĀ, sponsorships, employer matching gifts, qualifying grant or funder relationships, or a combination of these approaches.
Beyond the financial commitment, Board Members are expected to help build a culture of philanthropy by:
Championing KAHĀ's mission and impact
Supporting fundraising and sponsorship initiatives
Introducing prospective donors, funders, sponsors, and strategic partners when appropriate
Helping cultivate and steward relationships
Opening doors and creating opportunities that strengthen KAHĀ's long-term sustainability
Philanthropic leadership is not simply about giving. It is about helping KAHĀ build the relationships and resources necessary to fulfill its mission.
The Kind of Leadership We Value
We seek individuals who can lead with both conviction and humility.
Successful KAHĀ Board Members demonstrate:
Aloha in how they engage with others.
Kuleana in accepting responsibility for their commitments.
Haʻahaʻa in recognizing that leadership also requires listening and learning.
Laulima in working collaboratively toward shared goals.
Lōkahi in helping build unity without requiring uniformity.
Integrity in making decisions that protect KAHĀ's mission, reputation, cultural responsibilities, and resources.
We welcome thoughtful disagreement, meaningful questions, and diverse perspectives. Strong governance does not require everyone to think alike. It requires everyone to remain committed to the organization and to engage one another with respect, accountability, and aloha.
How to Apply
Interested in serving on the KAHĀ Board of Directors?
Please submit the following by September 1, 2026:
1. A Brief Cover Letter
Please introduce yourself and respond to the following five questions:
Why are you interested in serving on the KAHĀ Board of Directors?
What professional experience, skills, cultural knowledge, community relationships, or lived experiences would you bring to KAHĀ?
How do KAHĀ's mission and commitment to preserving and perpetuating ʻike Hawaiʻi and nohona Hawaiʻi connect with you?
How do you hope to contribute to KAHĀ's growth, governance, programs, fundraising, partnerships, or community impact?
What does serving with aloha, kuleana, and accountability mean to you as a Board Member?
2. Your Current CV or Résumé
Please email your cover letter and CV/résumé to aloha@kahahawaii.org with the subject line: KAHĀ Board Application | Your Name
What Happens Next
Applications will be reviewed with consideration given to each candidate's mission alignment, experience, perspective, expertise, and ability to contribute to the collective strengths and needs of the Board.
Selected candidates may be invited to participate in additional conversations with KAHĀ leadership as part of the Board consideration and selection process.
We encourage applications from leaders who may not see themselves reflected in every qualification listed above. Board excellence comes from the collective strength of individuals who bring different expertise, experiences, relationships, and perspectives to a shared kuleana.
E hoʻomau kākou i ka mālama ʻana i ka ʻike Hawaiʻi.
Together, let us preserve, protect, and perpetuate our ʻike for generations to come.