Rooted Intelligence. Bold Solutions.

Our Founder

Kahua Strategies LLC is a Native Hawaiian, woman-led consulting firm delivering culturally grounded, strategic advisory services to organizations in Hawaiʻi and beyond. At Kahua Strategies, we help our clients build from a strong foundation—guided by ʻike kupuna, innovation, and impact.

Leonani Puailihau brings over 15 years of experience in strategic consulting, cultural leadership, and cross-sector collaboration. A proud kānaka entrepreneur and community connector, Leonani is committed to uplifting Hawaiʻi through grounded strategy and bold vision.

Guiding Pillars of Kahua Strategies

  • ʻIke Kupuna

    Rooted in ancestral knowledge, ʻike kupuna provides the cultural grounding and ethical compass for every engagement. It ensures that strategies are not only effective, but pono—aligned with the values, practices, and truths of Hawaiʻi.

  • Innovation

    Creativity guided by context. Innovation at Kahua Strategies means designing bold, adaptive solutions that honor tradition while meeting the evolving needs of community, ʻāina, and system partners.

  • Impact

    Change that matters. Impact is measured not only in outcomes, but in relationships built, voices elevated, and systems shifted toward pono practices and aloha. Every project is designed with purpose, accountability, and long-term benefit in mind.

Our Name, Our Purpose.

Kahua means “foundation” in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. We believe in building from the ground up—intentionally, respectfully, and with integrity. As a Native Hawaiian-led firm, our work is rooted in the values of mālama, kuleana, and aloha.

We design and lead culturally grounded engagement strategies that elevate community voice and ensure inclusive, informed decision-making.

Through deep relationships, facilitation rooted in Hawaiian values, and clear communication strategies, Kahua Strategies helps organizations build trust and align with the communities they serve. From large-scale development projects to policy-making and community initiatives, we guide meaningful engagement processes that move beyond check-the-box outreach.

Our Services

  • We help organizations ground their work in ʻike Hawaiʻi by supporting authentic naming, branding, storytelling, and place-based themes. Whether you're launching a campaign or reimagining your identity, we ensure it's deeply rooted in culture and community.

  • We build bridges between organizations and the communities they serve. Through listening, pilina, and trust-building, we help you strengthen relationships, navigate sensitive dynamics, and show up with integrity.

  • We support organizations in amplifying their voice and mobilizing community to influence decisions, shift narratives, and drive systems change. Whether it’s a grassroots campaign, public policy initiative, or educational push—we help you connect, engage, and move people to action.

  • We guide organizations through thoughtful, culturally grounded strategic planning processes. Our approach supports clarity, alignment, and sustainable impact—from big-picture visioning to actionable steps forward.

Partnerships

  • DTL

    Howard Hughes

  • Actions of Aloha

  • OLA

    Oils Legacy Aloha

  • ‘ŌLA

    (ʻŌʻiwi Leadership Accelerator)

  • Kanaka Collective

  • Moani Restaurant Group

    Moani Island Bistro & Bar

    Moani Waikīkī

  • Friends of Keoni Souza

    Community Engagement

Consult With Us

"Outreach without strategy is noise." Kahua Strategies integrates engagement with program design, evaluation, and strategic planning—ensuring community insights inform not just the message, but the mission.

Trust us to get the job done right.