Leeward Community College graduate Chris Oliveira is a life-long resident of the Waiʻanae coast, growing-up in every city with-in the District. After serving in the Army as a medic, Chris returned to Waiʻanae where he is committed to make things better for his community.

Chris is the executive director of Koa Ike,  a nonprofit that addresses the growing needs of Hawaiians (native, aboriginal, national) and the rising poverty level of the Waiʻanae community.

(This photo by Kahoʻolemana Naone shows Chris speaking to a group during a recent Koa Ike internship training workshop.)

Chris has participated in numerous community functions and has done cultural consulting for various state and federal agencies. Most notably, he was invited last year to an international conference in the Kingdom of Bhutan to speak about traditional resource management and its relevance in modern society.

Through his work with Koa Ike, Chris has accomplished much, including helping to establish the Marae Haʻa Koa Community Center and to develop partnerships with the Pacific Biosciences Resource Center at the University of Hawaiʻi and the Leeward school district. In addition, Chris serves as board member of Hoʻo Mau Ke Ola, an innovative drug treatment program that uses Hawaiian healing practices.

Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa is pleased to publish his creative works, including two spoken poems, Contradictions and A Nation of Our Own.

credits: video performance by Educational Media Center – Leeward Community College, post feature photo by Kahoʻolemana Naone.