Dennis Kauahi (Author)
Dennis Kauahi’s career at Lili‘uokalani Trust spanned forty years in roles including social worker, supervisor, and assistant director. He retired in 2018. A master practitioner of ho‘oponopono, he credits nā kupuna Mary Kawena Pukui, Nahale‘elua Mahuiki, Malia Craver, and Danny Hanakahi as his mentors. Born and raised on Kaua‘i, his grounding in Hawaiian language and culture prepared him to provide culturally based social work to a wide range of families and communities based on mutual respect and trust, and to establish personal and professional connections with indigenous peoples worldwide.
Valli Kalei Kanuha (Author)
Valli Kalei Kanuha was born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i. She thanks her grandmother, Becky Niniauokealohaonawaaholoeluaokalani Arce Kanuha, and her mother, Chitose Araki Kanuha, for their unconditional love. Aunty Malia Craver honored Kalei with her blessing to work on this sacred project, for which Kalei will be forever grateful. Kalei currently serves as assistant dean, Office of Field Education, University of Washington, School of Social Work.
