Our History

Building Resilience to Climate-Change
in At-Risk Communities

Olohana, Inc. (DBA Olohana Foundation) was incorporated in Hawaii as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2008. It grew out of Rev. M. Kalani Souza and his team’s conviction that more needs to be done to support native and underserved communities and the vehicle through which this could happen was best served through an incorporated non-profit organization.

Olohana’s projects are executed in relationship with an extensive network with whom Kalani is closely connected and which began prior to the incorporation of Olohana.

SELECTED PROJECTS.

• Pacific Risk Management Ohana (PRiMO) in 2003;
• Indigenous Knowledge and the Environment Hui (working group) in 2003;
• Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Working Group (IPCCWG)
  at Haskell Indian Nations University in 2006;
• Native Expert Advisory Council;
• Rising Voices: Collaborative Science with Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Solutions at NCAR/UCAR in 2012;
• Breadfruit/Ulu Initiative in 2012, which received the National Economic Development Award from the  University Economic Development Association (UEDA) in 2014;
• Maunalei Valley Shoreline Restoration Project;
• Hawaii Ala Kahakai National Trail conservation;
• Youth–Citizen Core 4 Resilience Council for climate resilience;
• Global Breadfruit Heritage Council (GBHC) in 2016.

About M. Kalani Souza

Kalani’s experiences, capabilities, and worldview are well-suited to his role as founding director of the Olohana Foundation. He is a gifted storyteller, singer, songwriter, musician, performer, poet, philosopher, priest, political satirist, and peacemaker. A Hawaiian practitioner and cross-cultural facilitator, he has experience in promoting social justice through conflict resolution. His workshops and lectures inspire, challenge and entertain the listener while calling all to be their greater self.

Kalani’s native roots allow him a unique perspective of the collision of two worlds: one steeped in traditional culture and the other a juggernaut of new morality and changing economic and political persuasion. He is a messenger of integration and collaboration in a world normally rife with exclusion, oppression, and hopelessness. His work in behavior modification research, leadership, team-building, and political strategy gives him generous insights into group dynamics and systems of governance.

Ancient Wisdom, New Harmonies

Kalani speaks at TEDx San Francisco in 2012

Learn more about Kalani at his website>