Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 5, 1 May 2010 — DYNAMIC DUO BY HOWARD DASHEFSHY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DYNAMIC DUO BY HOWARD DASHEFSHY

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e grew up in Kalihi. A typical kid and self-described "so-so student" who managed to stay out of trouble. "My family never really enforced education, but they enforced morals. So being bad was out of the question." She grew up in Kahalu'u. A "country girl" who enjoyed fresh air and open spaces. "I loved to just run around and get dirty and have fun." Today Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine, still have plenty of fun, in their spare time. But during their working hours they occupy two of Hawai'i's most important positions. He leads more than 2,000 officers and 550 support staff as Honolulu's 10th Chief of Poliee. She is Director of the state's Office of Environmental Quality Control, a department that pores over every key environmental impact statement, or EIS, and plays a vital role in balancing development with our state's natural, historical and cultural resources. "I want our office to be a plaee where the environmentalists are happy with what we're doing and we're ensuring development is responsible and not out of control," said Katherine. "Yet I want the business groups to also feel that comfort and know we are going to take care of them and make sure their projects are not only safe for our community, but safe for the 'āina." For the new Chief, it's still a matter of settling into the role he took over last November, after an appointment process he describes as surreal. "Now that I've taken the position I'm getting my foothold, learning the different responsibilities that eome with the job," he said. A unanimous ehoiee by the Honolulu Poliee Commission, the new Chief made the jump from captain to the top job, after getting passed over several times for major. Though he never aspired to become Chief, Kealoha believes his administrative experience makes him the perfect ehoiee at a time when money is tight, and the need for business aeumen is critical. "We have budget cuts to deal with, civilian furloughs in the near future, so we need the type of leadership that goes out in the eommunity and builds relationships because that's the only way to survive this budget crisis," he said.

EDUCATI0N, 0HA L0AN PLAV PIV0TAL R0LES The onee "so-so" student, who struggled through his high school years, experienced his big breakthrough moment while playing football in high school for Damien Memorial School. Or more specifically, notplaying. "I spent most of the time, if not all the time on the bench," he said. "But it was during that time I realized I need to get on a different path and get an education." That epiphany eventually led Kealoha to a master's degree in criminal justice administration at Chaminade University and a doctorate in education at USC. An education made possible when his wife, Katherine, took advantage of OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund back in 1999. "If she didn't get that loan I wouldn't have been able to pursue my doctorate," the Chief said. "The loan allowed her to get into a private law practice, whieh then gave me the freedom to pursue my higher education. That's what set us on our present path. There's no doubt that if she didn't get that loan, neither of us would be where we are today." Thanks to OHA's loan program, Katherine started a business and the kid from Kalihi further transformed himself into a respected scholar and educator. The 26-year HPD veteran describes his leadership style as being rooted in basic values. He also vows to never forget his own roots - a loeal boy of Hawaiian ancestry. "Hawaiians are challenged in many areas," he said. "Homelessness, in literacy, illness, incarceration. So there is a certain amount of pride that we should all embrace this. I just want to be a role model. And not just for Hawaiians, but for everyone who's out there trying to make it." His wife shares a similar view. "I don't look at it as a being Hawaiian or being a person of color, I see it as being a public servant," said Katherine. "I want to make sure for all our future generations, for my daughter and her children, that we do what we ean to maintain and preserve our history and 'āina. And not just in terms of our land, but an overall cultural preservation. For quite some time we've steered away from that." BALANCING ACT For Katherine Kealoha, maintaining that balanee is the cornerstone of what her office is charged with. The department she now heads played a key role in the controversial Hawai'i Superferry debate. Although she was working for the city

prosecutor's office at the time, she will likely be front and center this time around when the EIS for Honolulu's proposed rapid transit project is delivered to the Office of Environmental Quality Control. "I don't think there will ever be a project this big again," she said. "So I want to be sure that we do everything we ean. Cross every "t" dot every "i" to make sure if there is any future litigation, we did the very best job possible before we forward our comments to the governor." "It feels like were somewhat in the limelight because of the EIS with the Superferry and other projects," she added. "What I would like people to know is that the process is fair and correct. We're all for the environment, but in terms of responsible development, we need both sides." And while Katherine prepares to deal with the largest public works project in state history, her husband, the Chief, is also preparing for what may be the biggest single security challenge in state history. The Asia-Pacihc Eeonomie Cooperation, or APEC, meetings scheduled for November of next year. "It will be a huge, huge test," he said. "It will cost of a lot of money in equipment and personnel - more than $20 million. We will be dealing with the equivalent of more than 20 heads of state." Despite the cost and the challenge, Chief Kealoha believes it presents a great opportunity to showcase Hawai'i to the nahon and the world. "To me we all need to eome together," he added. "Not just the poliee department but everyone in government and the private sector." Despite their daunting professional roles, both Kealohas consider themselves to be "rubber slipper" people. The Chief loves nothing more than coming home, putting on his father hat and spending time with their 10-year-old daughter, Kristina. For mom, there is no better escape than the 'āina she remains so passionate about protecting. "I don't think I could function without either diving orpaddleboarding," saidKatherine. "Those are my two things: I love the oeean and it's my hope that I ean share them with our daughter and she'll carry that with her." Louis and Katherine Kealoha. The Poliee Chief and the high-powered state appointee. A dad who loves nothing more than hanging out with his daughter and his dog, Bugsy. And a mom, who yearns to one day return to her life as a country girl. "I've been trying to get him to move back out to the country," said Katherine. "Maybe one day when we retire. Then I ean have that paddleboard right there in the front yard, on the sand, and I ean just paddle off." ■

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