Charis Higginson is the founder and executive director of Humanity Hale, a non–profit organization helping underserved youth in Kailua-Kona area of Hawaii. As a mentor for Sunburst Youth Academy & Awaken Arts, and with additional training in art therapy, she heard endless stories of abuse, self-harm and unfathomable traumas. After mentoring several groups of these strong, amazing young kids over several years, it became very obvious to her that her life mission was to create a safe haven…A place to cultivate warriors who could do more than survive, but to thrive!

Ilima-Lei “The Illiminator” Macfarlane is a Native-Hawaiian professional MMA fighter from Honolulu, Hawaii. She has created “The Ilimanator Scholarship” to not only inspire other girls to go after their dreams, but to also help eliminate disparities that many young native girls face and give them a fighting chance to succeed. Through fundraising, donations, and her win bonuses from fights, Ilima-Lei has been able to award a total of 22 scholarships to young girls around the world. With guidance from her mentors, she created the Nā Wahine Toa (Women Warriors)Foundation, to further empower these kaikamāhine (girls) and older generations. Her foundation focuses on teaching self-defense, self-love, self-preservation, and the protection of sacred sites including our bodies, our divine feminine entities, and our ʻāina (land).

Known as “Uncle Willy”, an esteemed healer and storyteller who is highly knowledgeable in the wisdom of “Old Hawaii.” His mom was an practitioner of Lāʻau lapaʻau (herbal medicine). His dad was a “ha” healer (using words to heal). Uncle Willy grew up immersed in the traditional ways of healing.

Founder of Men of Pa’a. The organization’s mission is to empower Kanaka maoli (especially native Hawaiian men) who seek recovery restoration, and reconciliation with themselves, their ohana, and the community through our process of Ho’okanaka “a culturally-rooted and communally relevant process of personal change catalyzed by servant leadership.” His organization has helped multidudes of formerly-incarcerated men turn their lives around.

Dr. David Keanu Sai is former US Army officer who has become a scholar, lawyer, and advocate known for his work on the history and legal status of Hawaii. He gained prominence for his research challenging the legitimacy of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and the subsequent annexation by the United States. Sai has advanced the argument that Hawaii remains an independent state under international law, advocating for its restoration as such. Through academic publications, lectures, and legal actions, he has been a central figure in the movement seeking recognition of Hawaiian sovereignty and the right to self-determination.

Known as “Āina,” Ainaaloha Ioane is the daughter of Uncle Skippy. To honor Uncle Skippy’s legacy, Āina, along with her sister Ha‘awina, has founded the Keli’i William Ioane Legacy Foundation, whose focus is “to establish practices that reconnect the kanaka with the ʻāina by preserving and protecting the cultural, historical, and archeological heritage and life of King’s Landing, Lehia and Puʻumaile Park as well as provide proper management protocols of land and water resources in these areas in order to sustain future growth. ” Āina is an emerging leader in the fields of environmental conservation and indigenous rights advocacy, and also teaches hula to local keiki.

Known to many as “Uncle Skippy,” he is a legend in raising awareness of native Hawaiian rights and has led the way to create the village at King’s Landing and the Mālama Ka ‘Āina Hana Ka ‘Āina Association (MAHA). MAHA is an alternative development model of subsistence lifestyle living created to address the waiting list issues of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Ioane intertwines his passions for storytelling, music, and cultural preservation to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and protect the inherent beauty of Hawai’i.

Kaumakaiwa was born on the island of Hawai’i to a family deeply entrenched in the traditional arts of hula and oli (chant). Singer, chanter, dancer, and cultural practitioner, Kaumakaiwa’s life is devoted to preserving and sharing Hawaiian tradition through music and performance. She has won multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards – Hawaiʻi’s highest musical honor – and has traveled the world performing. Her performances are celebrated for their authenticity, innovation, and profound spiritual resonance. She is the mahu wahine (transgender person) of Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’ole and the great grandchild of revered educator Edith Kanaka’ole.

Kekuhi is an educator who has trained in the tradition of Hula ʻAihaʻa and Hula Pele. She has attained the status of Kumu Hula (hula master/teacher) of Hālau o Kekuhi by her mother, Kumu Hula Pualani Kanahele, and her aunt, Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaʻole. Kekuhi’s grandmother, educator Edith Kanaka’ole, was revered for her knowledge of hula and chant. The practice of those arts continues through the family Hula school/dance company, Halau o Kekuhi. Kekuhi has co-produced some of Hawai’i’s most prominent oral and ritual stage performances. She is the mother of Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole.