WĀHINE IN VISIBLE & INVISIBLE LEADERSHIP

Panel Discussion Friday 9/4/26, 3pm-4:30pm

Wāhine in Visible & Invisible Leadership

Leadership is Measured by What Endures, Not What is Seen

Learn from wāhine whose ʻike and manaʻo illuminate the many faces and challenges of leadership. Panelists: Dr. Michelle Manu, Manu Powers & Ka’ea Lyons-Yglesias. Moderated by Keʻala Hill. 

Join us for an hour and a half on Friday, September 4th from 3pm-4:30pm for an in-depth conversation about leadership as wāhine and the specific challenges and victories encountered from the patriarchal, matriarchal, and matrilineal structures of leadership, to traditional vs modern, as well as ways wāhine can level up their day-to-day interactions as role models and leaders (future and current).

What is seen and what is not seen? How does this impact leadership style in different ways? How are our actions received by the general public? Join us as we go deep into this topic!

Known for her prowess on the mat as a Kumu Poʻokela Lua, Kumu Manu is also a prolific writer whose topics cover the intersection of sacred Hawaiian traditions meeting modern-day life to the science behind our bodies when it comes to Lua, movement, energetics and nervous system regulation. A leader for wāhine in fields dominated by kāne (men) – on the mat and in the board room as a lawyer–Kumu Manu is sure to bring a unique perspective to this shared discussion. For more about Kumu Manu click here. 

Known for her prowess on the mat as a Kumu Poʻokela Lua, Kumu Manu is also a prolific writer whose topics cover the intersection of sacred Hawaiian traditions meeting modern-day life to the science behind our bodies when it comes to Lua, movement, energetics and nervous system regulation. A leader for wāhine in fields dominated by kāne (men) – on the mat and in the board room as a lawyer–Kumu Manu is sure to bring a unique perspective to this shared discussion. For more about Kumu Manu click here. 

Manu is a Native Hawaiian, business and nonprofit leader, and community organizer deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi Island. Guided by aloha ʻāina, Manu is committed to strengthening our community, protecting the places and values in which we are grounded, and creating opportunities for future generations to identify their kuleana and root themselves in place. 

Manu is a Native Hawaiian, business and nonprofit leader, and community organizer deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi Island. Guided by aloha ʻāina, Manu is committed to strengthening our community, protecting the places and values in which we are grounded, and creating opportunities for future generations to identify their kuleana and root themselves in place. 

Ka’ea Lyons-Yglesias (M.Ed.), Hope Po’okumu (Vice Principal) at Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino and co-Kumu of Hālau Ka’eaikahelelani. A certified K–12 Hawaiian language immersion educator and cultural practitioner, Ka’ea integrates academic leadership with traditional Hawaiian pedagogy. Through her work in both Hawaiian public immersion education and the hālau setting, she is dedicated to uplifting ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, cultural continuity, and community resilience throughout Kona and beyond.

Ka’ea Lyons-Yglesias (M.Ed.), Hope Po’okumu (Vice Principal) at Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino and co-Kumu of Hālau Ka’eaikahelelani. A certified K–12 Hawaiian language immersion educator and cultural practitioner, Ka’ea integrates academic leadership with traditional Hawaiian pedagogy. Through her work in both Hawaiian public immersion education and the hālau setting, she is dedicated to uplifting ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, cultural continuity, and community resilience throughout Kona and beyond.

Keʻala is a Kailua-Kona based a small business owner, a business and marketing consultant, and nonprofit leader. She is of kānaka maoli, Chinese, German and English descent. As a third-culture kid who grew up on Oʻahu (until 13) and in Oregon (until 18) in addition to raising her keiki in Oregon, California & Nevada–she has lived experience as a child and adult with island life and life on the continent. Keʻala will bring a balanced, honest, and authentic perspective to the discussion. For more about Keʻala click here.

Keʻala is a Kailua-Kona based a small business owner, a business and marketing consultant, and nonprofit leader. She is of kānaka maoli, Chinese, German and English descent. As a third-culture kid who grew up on Oʻahu (until 13) and in Oregon (until 18) in addition to raising her keiki in Oregon, California & Nevada–she has lived experience as a child and adult with island life and life on the continent. Keʻala will bring a balanced, honest, and authentic perspective to the discussion. For more about Keʻala click here.