About Makaiwa Kanui

My name is Makaiwa Kanui. I was born in Hilo, raised in Mauna Huʻihuʻi (Mt.View), Olaʻa. I currently live in Panaʻewa with my partner Maikaʻi, and our two wild boys Kauila and ʻEkemana. Mauna Kea is my mountain, Waiʻolena is my beach, and the Kanilehua and Loloku rains sustain me.

I am who I am because of the family, community, and lands that raised me and continues to nurture me. I come from a family of fish merchants, and was raised cleaning, and preparing fish for the local community, my parents continue to do this today.  In my formative years of life I attended Hawaiian Immersion schools.  Later graduating from Kamehameha Schools, I pursued my Bachelors degree in Studio Art, and a minor in Ethnic Studies from Mills College in Oakland, California in Ohlone Territory. I serve as a campus minister and justice programs coordinator. I embrace being a musician, competitive powerlifter, and an artist!  I have a dream of owning my own art studio one day. Iʻm passionate about justice. Hawaiʻi raised and sustained me, and I seek to live in a co-sustaining, interconnected relationship with my homelands, myself, my family, and my Creator. Iʻm always being pulled in different directions, but art and music has been a constant thread in my life to respond to the world around me.  Mahalo for taking the time to learn more about me. ʻOia!