Divided There’s Nothing We Can Do; United Nothing Can Stop Us

By Keli‘i Akina, Ph.D., Trustee, At-Large, Ka Wai Ola, May 1, 2026

This month’s column features a report from my office by Carina Watase, my trustee aide, on a recent talk story session with students at Punahou School.

Last month, Trustee Akina was invited to speak with haumāna and kumu at Punahou School as part of the Davis Democracy Initiative, a program designed to encourage civic engagement and provide students with a space to explore public policy through open and respectful dialogue.

The session centered on the principle, E hana kākou (let’s work together), which Trustee Akina described as a guiding philosophy in both his public service and community work. He shared how this approach has shaped his efforts to expand civic participation in Hawaiʻi, including increasing voter engagement in OHA elections.

Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, Trustee Akina engaged students and faculty in a wide-ranging discussion that connected this principle to real-world policy challenges.

One of the most memorable moments came as he explained how to approach disagreement and decision-making.

“Think of Venn diagrams,” he said. “Each individual group has concerns in a separate circle. The place to start with ʻE hana kākou’ would be where they intersect. In that intersection, we begin to work together and grow that territory. It also means choosing not to focus on areas outside that intersection, where differences may make collaboration unfruitful.”

He continued, “If we spend time working to grow the intersection, we ultimately accomplish what people in society will benefit from the most. We have to take into consideration where we all come together.”

This framework shaped his explanation of how the Board of Trustees seeks to operate. Despite differing viewpoints, trustees often collaborate by identifying common ground, particularly in areas such as emergency funding for Native Hawaiian communities, prioritizing practical outcomes over ideological division.

Students asked how this approach applies in practice, particularly in a politically diverse environment. Trustee Akina explained that collaboration requires both principle and pragmatism, knowing when to stand firm, and when to work together for the greater good. To him, leadership should be grounded in judgment, values, and a commitment to serving the community.

The talk story concluded with a reminder that “E hana kākou” is not just an idea, but a practice. It calls on all of us to be intentional about where we focus our efforts and how we work together.

In a follow-up conversation, one student reflected on the unique atmosphere of the talk story. She described Trustee Akina’s style as relaxed and inclusive, noting that it encouraged participation from a wide range of perspectives and helped create a space where students felt comfortable sharing their views openly.

She also shared that the discussion reshaped her understanding of what it means to think more independently in politics. Rather than avoiding issues, she came to see open-mindedness as a willingness to look beyond party lines and focus on shared goals, an approach she connected directly to the principle of “E hana kākou.”

Conversations like these serve as a reminder that even in the face of complex challenges, progress is possible when we begin with what we share and build from there.