2026 Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Award Winners
Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Recognition Awards is held annually at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. These awards recognizes the contributions students have made in their formal and informal leadership roles on campus and in their community. The program acknowledges individuals, groups, teams or organizations who have shown strong evidence of their leadership potential.
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Ka Lama Kū Award winners!
On this page:
Alaka‘i - Tuʻupuamalamakahonua Helekahi
Leadership
Leaders inspire, excite, and provide commitment toward shared goals. They are role models who leading by example. They inspire and empower others to work towards a common goal.
Tuʻupuamalamakahonua Helekahi is a senior majoring in Political Science and a minor in Hawaiian Studies. “As one of the founding peer mentors of the Ka Pouhana Peer Mentoring Program, Tuʻupua has spent the past three years shaping not only our program, but also a culture of leadership grounded in integrity, aloha, and a deep sense of kuleana to others. She exemplifies the true meaning of an alakaʻi, one who leads by example, inspires and mentors others, fosters emerging leaders, and consistently provides motivation and encouragement.”--Nominator Kalehua Kukahiko ."
‘Ike Pāpālua - Shanoa Kahōkūala Quanan
To have the gift of vision
Leaders often need to “navigate unknown waters” and act upon situations and challenges that are beyond their expectations. They take risks that others would avoid, create change, and effectively communicate a shared vision for an organization.
Shanoa Kahōkūala Quanan is a senior majoring in Hawaiian Studies with a concentration in Continuing the Culture and Political Science. “Ku exemplifies ʻIke Pāpālua through her ability to see possibilities where others may not, take thoughtful risks, and bring people together to turn ideas into meaningful action. Her leadership is grounded in ʻike Hawaiʻi and lived experience, and it is expressed not only in what she imagines, but in what she actively builds and sustains with others. Ku has a rare ability to hold ancestral knowledge alongside current realities, drawing from the wisdom of her kupuna while engaging deeply with what she is learning and experiencing. Through this dual lens, she identifies pathways for change that are both culturally rooted and responsive to existing community needs.”--Nominator: Kalehua Kukahiko
Kuleana - Hulali Weissman
We are accountable and responsible
Leaders instill and motivate others toward solutions, have respect, ho‘ihi, toward others and are effective communicators. They demonstrate problem-solving for positive action, communicate effectively and empowers others to work together.
Hulali Weissman is a junior majoring in Hawaiian Studies with concentration in monitoring the culture. “Her role as a peer mentor for the Kuleana and Community course…she models excellence, responsibility, and aloha, helping first-year students transition into university life while fostering a welcoming, culturally grounded learning environment for upper classmen.” –Nominator: Colby McNaughton Hulali “exemplified integrity, empathy, and problem-solving skills, and quickly distinguished herself as a compassionate leader who felt a responsibility to support her classmates. That is to say, she builds the relationships, skills, and knowledge that empower others to succeed.”--Nominator Josef Donnelly
Laulima - Xailea Anderson-Iopa
No task is too big when done by all
Leaders recognize the importance of teamwork, networking, and collaboration and they motivate others to make a difference every day. They gain the trust and respect of others by encouraging people to work together.
Xailea Anderson-Iopa is a senior double-major in English and Administration of Justice. “She is a hard-working, dependable, community-oriented person who understands that leadership is not a solo journey, but comes with teamwork, responsibility, and setting a positive example for others. It literally takes many hands (“laulima”) to make team efforts successful and to build trust and mutual respect among participants. Xailea has embraced these values in her years as editor-in-chief of Kanilehua.”--Nominators: Kirsten Mollegaard & Patsy Iwasaki
Mālama - Hayate Morro
Taking care of others and community
Leaders demonstrate care for the land, family, and/or spirituality. This is often through civic and social engagement. Leaders have deep respect and honor for others and accept their responsibilities unconditionally.
Hayate Moro is a senior majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance. “Hayate respects the culture. In order to truly connect with others, you need to know their background and he has mastered those qualities when making connections. He is fluent in Japanese which helps him connect with some of the foreign exchange students here at UH. He also works to understand the respect of other cultures as well and Hayate is truly overall an amazing peer, student and overall person. He brings smiles to peoples faces and truly deserves this award in all of the aspects.”--Nominator Maggi Morrell