Keola Akana

Board Member

Keola was born and raised on Oahu & summers on Kauai with his extended ohana. He did his BA at Washington State University and furthered his education at UH Manoa. He spent the summer after his sophomore year in Latin America.

This was the highlight of his college learning experience. He worked as a college social worker for a few years then became a Legal Assistant at several law firms, including the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation for five years.

He also served as an investigator with the SOH, DLIR, Civil Rights Commission where he worked for 23 years enforcing the states non-discrimination laws until his retirement in 2022. 

He has served on many organizations’ board of directors, including the Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Pride at Work Hawai‘i, HGEA, Hawai’i Episcopal Church Diocesan Council, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Vestry, Epiphany Episcopal Church Vestry, Emmanuel Episcopal Church Bishop’s Committee, American Friends Service Committee, Hawai‘i Chapter, Americans for Democratic Action, Hawai‘i Chapter, LGBTQ Rights Protection Hui and TIAH.