Kawai Kaneakua-Rauschenburg
Community Health Worker
ʻAnoʻai kākou,
My name is Kawai. I am a 4th generation homesteader and a member of the ʻOhana Kāneakua that resides on Tantalus Drive. It has been the greatest blessing to be born and raised in Papakōlea by my kūpuna and mākua. A place fond of memories like waking up to the "chicken alarm", making lei with tūtū, and dancing/playing in our ua lanipili.
I began working for KULA in 2019 under the Lamakū Program. In 2022, I became a Community Health Worker and have also taken on the kuleana of making/editing videos to share the humbling work of our organization throughout the years. In May 2023, I graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with my Bachelor's in Elementary Education in Hawaiian Language Immersion. I achieved my dream and am now a kumu kaiapuni at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Waiau in the moku of ʻEwa. Now it's on to chasing the next dream!
It is an honor to be part of the KULA Krew, and I so enjoy getting the ring for kōkua. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community and look forward to the future of KNNPH & Papakōlea.