Over the last thirty years, Mr. Kanahele has worked with a broad cross section of Hawaiian Kupuna (elders), his capacity to communicate complex issues in the language and values of na Kupuna has helped to broaden their role in the decision making process, perpetuating wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Mr Kanahele was Instrumental in organizing a Hawaii/U.S. sponsored seminar at the Asian Development Bank’s 34th annual meeting on corporate responsibility and socially responsible investing. During the Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting, Mr. Kanahele insisted upon and was granted full and respectful inclusion of na Kupuna in the proceedings. He then entered into constructive dialog with former Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neil, ADB President Tadao Chino, and ADB Secretary Bindu Lohani regarding incorporation into all future ADB meetings the lessons of social responsibility and cultural inclusion learned in Hawaii. Mr. Kanahele’s strategic manner of peacekeeping and cultural inclusion helped pave the way for the ADB meeting in Hawaii to be one of its most peaceful and productive in recent history.
One of Mr. Kanahele's unique accomplishments as Head of State, for the Nation of Hawai’i and CEO of Aloha First, a 501c-3 non profit organization, was the negotiation and signing of the lease for the land at Pu'uhonua o Waimanalo Village in 2001. On September 24, 1993, Mr. Kanahele negotiated an agreement in principle with the state Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) for a 55 year lease. A breakdown in communications with DLNR on the lease led to a 15 month land occupation by the Nation of Hawai'i at the Kaupo beach park area in Waimanalo. For the past 27 years, Mr. Kanahele serves on the Board of Directors of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC). As a member of this Board, he has experience, advanced understanding and a network of solidarity amongst indigenous peoples, who continues to be victims of government corruption, corporate destruction and economic injustice. Mr. Kanahele continues to maintain an active role in the IITC, to restore the political, economic, social, educational advancement and Just treatment of All indigenous peoples throughout the world.
