Keeping Kalihi Special
ʻAnoʻai ke aloha kākou! My name is Kekoaopololū (Kekoa) Kealoha, and I am running to represent District 30: Kalihi, Kalihi Kai, Keʻehi Lagoon, and Hickam Village.
I have seen Kalihi change so much over the years, and many of my core childhood memories are embedded in this neighborhood. This place is special, and I love that my family and I can boast such strong roots in this community. Those memories keep me grounded in the values that make Kalihi strong.
We are at a critical inflection point. Kalihi is home to urban Honolulu’s last working class community. The people who make Kalihi special are the backbone of Honolulu’s workforce, yet we are the ones most in need of investment. With massive critical infrastructure projects and private landowner development under way in this district, Kalihi is asked, “how will you move forward?”
We move forward together to sustain what’s good and stimulate new growth.
Bringing
Keʻehi and Hickam Village to the Table
Keʻehi Lagoon and Hickam Village flank the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the principal gateway to Hawaiʻi, and they represent two very different spaces.
Hickam Village is home to service members and their families, whose needs differ greatly from those of Kalihi and Kalihi Kai. In areas where military communities and local neighborhoods meet, state and federal jurisdictions often intersect. We can honor this unique relationship by bringing these families into the broader conversation with Kalihi and Kalihi Kai.
Keʻehi Lagoon, meanwhile, is an oasis set against the industrial backdrop of the Honolulu airport district. Paddling hui, fishermen, beachgoers, athletes, and local non-profits all share this space for work and recreation. Though people from across Oʻahu enjoy Keʻehi Lagoon, the kuleana—responsibility to guide its future—rests with the communities around it.
Join the Movement
We’re building something great and we want you to be a part of it!
We are seeking volunteers to help elevate this campaign. You can make a real difference in Kalihi by joining our awesome team. Bring your skills, your energy, and your joy; we’ve got a spot for you! We welcome volunteers who can give any amount of time and thank you for your consideration!
Learn more about Kekoa
Candidate for Hawaiʻi State House, District 30
Aloha, I’m Kekoa Kealoha, and I’m running to represent House District 30 because I believe Kalihi deserves stability, independence, and opportunity. I see a unique moment for us to become more self-reliant—building strong, local systems that don’t depend on shifting political priorities.
I grew up in Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island but spent much of my childhood here in Kalihi, where my grandparents built their home—the same one I live in today with my ʻohana. Kalihi’s deep sense of connection and ʻohana shaped who I am, and I want to sustain those strengths while stimulating new growth for our community.
For over a decade, I’ve worked in the nonprofit and public health sector, managing federal programs and advocating for better policies in HIV care, prevention, and community health. I’ve also been a strong voice for cultural and community preservation, especially at Pololū Valley.
Kealoha for Kalihi — sustaining what’s good, stimulating what’s next.
He mea nui ke aloha
