ABOUT KEONI
Keoni Souza is an At-Large Trustee and Vice Chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, elected in 2022 to serve the Native Hawaiian community throughout Hawaiʻi. He currently chairs the Board's Investment and Land Management Committee and serves as a Commissioner of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.
A proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Souza is an accomplished entrepreneur, licensed real estate professional, and award-winning Hawaiian musician. As a founding member of the Hawaiian music trio Nā Hoa, he has earned multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and contributed to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture through music.
Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Keoni is a devoted husband and father whose commitment to service is rooted in a deep love for his lāhui and community. Throughout his term at OHA, he has focused on responsible stewardship of trust assets, economic opportunity, housing solutions, educational advancement, and strengthening pathways for Native Hawaiian self-determination and success.
As he seeks reelection, Keoni Souza remains committed to bringing practical leadership, accountability, and fresh perspectives to OHA while working to ensure future generations of Native Hawaiians have the resources, opportunities, and cultural foundation needed to thrive.
Uplifting Our Lāhui
01
ʻĀINA STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY
The land is the foundation of our identity and well-being. OHA should protect natural and cultural resources, promote responsible stewardship, and support long-term sustainability to ensure future generations inherit a healthy and thriving Hawaiʻi.
02
NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Continued investment in Native Hawaiian youth strengthens future generations and builds stronger communities. Efforts to expand educational opportunities, leadership development, and programs that support student success—including youth sports and extracurricular engagement—help ensure that young people remain connected to culture, community, and opportunity.
03
MILITARY LAND LEASES
The future of military land leases in Hawaiʻi has lasting impacts on Native Hawaiian communities and cultural resources. Native Hawaiian interests must remain central in all discussions involving these lands, with meaningful consideration of long-term cultural, environmental, and community impacts.
04
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EMPOWERMENT
Expanding opportunity for Native Hawaiian families requires continued focus on workforce development, entrepreneurship, and responsible management of OHA’s assets. Strengthening economic stability and prosperity for beneficiaries remains a key priority.
05
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Beneficiaries deserve an OHA that is open, responsive, and accountable. Clear communication, responsible stewardship of resources, and a focus on measurable results are essential to maintaining public trust and delivering meaningful outcomes.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community engagement is more than participation. It is a shared responsibility to one another and to future generations. When people come together to share manaʻo and stay involved, decisions become stronger, fairer, and more grounded in the needs of the community. Progress happens when every voice is heard and every perspective has a place in the process.
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
Get involved today and take an active role in shaping the future of Native Hawaiian communities. Meaningful change happens when voters and beneficiaries stay informed and engaged in uplifting our lāhui.
Your voice and manaʻo matter in strengthening opportunities for our keiki, supporting education and youth programs, and ensuring that cultural values remain at the center of community priorities. Participation helps keep these efforts grounded in the needs of the people they are meant to serve.
Join in supporting the protection of our ʻāina, the expansion of economic opportunity, and the continued push for transparency and accountability. Staying engaged today helps build stronger outcomes for future generations.