Kahua Strategies

Rooted intelligence.

Bold solutions.

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.

About: 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 lead culturally grounded engagement strategies that elevate community voice and build trust between institutions and community stakeholders.

  • We design and facilitate inclusive processes that bring diverse voices to the table through collaborative planning, ʻaha kūkā, and community-driven strategy sessions.

  • Our team supports organizations in designing intentional outreach plans that are rooted in ʻike and aligned with community priorities.

  • We use participatory design frameworks to co-create programs, spaces, and policies with the people they’re meant to serve.

  • Grounded in aloha ʻāina, we facilitate meaningful engagement tied to stewardship, ʻāina justice, and place-based planning.

Partnerships

  • DTL (Howard Hughes)

  • Actions of Aloha

  • OLA (Oils Legacy Aloha)

  • ‘ŌLA (ʻŌʻiwi Leadership Accelerator)

  • Pono Petroleum

  • Kanaka Collective 

  • Moani Waikiki

  • Moani Kapolei

  • Friends of Keoni Souza 

Contact 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.