Kau'i's Background
Mai ka puka ‘ana o ka lā i Kumukahi a i ka welo ʻana o ka lā i Lehua, aloha nui!
My name is Kauʻi Lopes and I am the Chief Cultural Officer for Hawaiʻi Biorem Group as well as the current President of our Board at EarthRM.
With a deep passion for preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture, I have dedicated my career to educating and inspiring our community through the use of hula, moʻolelo, mele, and oli. Raised in the vibrant landscapes of Hawaiʻi, I was immersed in our rich traditions from birth through the genealogical ties of my mother and father. My cultural upbringing has been shaped by the wisdom of kūpuna and a commitment to sharing their values of aloha ʻāina.
Professional Background:
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Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Hawaiian Studies and Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo Campus
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Experience: Over 10 years in cultural education, community outreach, and program development
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Leadership: Former Cultural and Youth Coordinator for the EPIC Hawaiʻi Foundation
My Role: As the President and Chief Cultural Officer, I lead our organization’s efforts in preserving and integrating Hawaiian methodologies into our day to day work. I am the organizationʻs in-house Kumu Hula in which I utilize this role to develop and facilitate traditional protocols and workshops within the communities we serve. It is through these protocols that we develop a unique relationship to the spaces we rehabilitate.