Ku'iwalu: Connecting the Eight Islands of Hawaii

Ku‘iwalu Principals

Dawn Naomi S. Chang

Ms. Chang is an expert on land issues and regulatory requirements. She served 14 years as Deputy Attorney General and counsel to various State Boards and Commissions such as the Land Board, Island Burial Councils, and Water Commission. Ms. Chang is a former social worker with Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center. She received her law degree from the Richardson School of Law, a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Hawai‘i, and a BA in sociology from the University of Hawai‘i. Ms. Chang is a member of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association and Native Hawaiian Bar Association. She also served on the boards of various community organizations such as Kualoa-He‘eia Ecumenical Youth, Waimanalo Teen Project, Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus, Ho‘okano Family Land Fund, parent representative on the local school board for the Education Laboratory (formerly University Laboratory School), Planned Parenthood, and Pacific Islands Land Institute.

Lani Ma‘a Lapilio

Ms. Lapilio is a specialist in cultural resource and historic preservation law with a background in Hawaiian history and culture. She is currently the Hawai‘i representative on the Board of Advisors to the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Having served as the first executive director of the Judiciary History Center for 12 years, she authored two handbooks on historic preservation law and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) for the native Hawaiian community. Ms. Lapilio also served over 10 years as legal counsel to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council. A graduate of the Richardson School of Law, she also received a graduate certificate in historic preservation and a BA in political science from the University of Hawai‘i. Ms. Lapilio is a director of the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, Hawai‘i Heritage Center, the Judiciary History Center, Hawai‘i Heptachlor Education & Research Foundation and the Hawai‘i Pacific University's Advisory Council for Liberal Arts. She was recently awarded the “Kulia I Ka Nu‘u” award by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs for her outstanding service to the Hawaiian community.

Ku‘iwalu Staff

Kanani Kealalio
Ms. Kealalio is the Administrative & Compliance Officer who manages Ku‘iwalu’s administrative affairs. She has extensive experience in the area of Transportation administration as she has served as executive secretary to the Director and Deputy Director of Transportation and the Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Services, City & County of Honolulu. Based upon Ms. Kealalio’s experience, she also provides assistance on compliance requirements with federal, state, and county laws and regulations.

Ka‘i‘inioku‘upu‘uwai E. Patelesio
Ms. Patelesio is the Community/Cultural Specialist principally responsible for coordinating special events and community meetings. Ms. Patelesio has specialized training in Hawaiian history, culture and language. Her expertise in Hawaiian language is a great asset to our clients. Ms. Patelesio has worked for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and has experience as an administrative aide in a local law firm.

KU‘IWALU
Pauahi Tower, 27th Floor
1003 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 539-3580 • Fax (808) 539-3581
Email: •