Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 8, 1 August 2011 — A leadership style that puts aloha into action [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A leadership style that puts aloha into action

ByTreenaShapiro Keali'i Lopez ean describe her dedication to serving the people of Hawai'i in one word: aloha. It's not Pollyannaish idealism, says Lopez, who spent her career putting aloha into action in a way that has empowered youth and their communities across O'ahu. Since December, Lopez has been working to make an impact statewide as Director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, a role that promotes an environment where businesses ean succeed in Hawai'i, and where consumers are protected from unfair and deceptive practices. Leading DCCA involves regulating more than 47 professions, including accountants, hnaneial instituions, barbers, mechanics, nurses. "All those businesses serve the public. I think that's an important perspective to have and it's been in many ways invaluable in my work with the staff, as well as with legislators," Lopez notes. "She is terrific for the job," says Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who selected Lopez for his cabinet in December. "No one has the sheer volume of responsibilities that she has in overseeing dozens of boards - all with varying responsibilities. It

takes someone with infinite pahenee and a real capacity for detail. Keali'i has those qualities." Lopez, 50, eame into the position from the nonprofit sector, where she most recently served as President and CEO of 'Ōlelo Community Media, one of the largest public access television providers in the nation. Under her leadership, 'Ōlelo expanded its reach into the community through strategic placement of videoproduction training sites in public schools on O'ahu, including some disadvantaged areas. She also helped improve the depth

and breadth of 'Ōlelo's communitygenerated programming, whieh represents a diverse mix of positions and interests. Lopez herself refrained frompolitical activity during her 18 years at 'Ōlelo. "I didn't personally become politically engaged because I didn't want it to get in the way of being able to work with anyone in all issues," she says. However, as the leader of a nonprofit organization in a regulated agency, Lopez worked closely with state lawmakers to get legislation passed and dealt extensively with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on regulation issues related to the cabletelevision industry. She hadn't initially sought to lead the DCCA, but Abercrombie's New Day Plan inspired her to step forward. "I truly believe that there was and is an opportunity - probably more than we've ever had in the past - to really have significant, farreaching change occur within the state," she explains. Lopez was one of three finalists for a seat on Kamehameha Schools' Board of Trustees when tapped for the cabinet post. She opted to join the administration, where her work would have statewide impact that could make a difference for all people of Hawai'i.

"As a Native Hawaiian, we have to look at these opportunities as a way to pave the way for ourselves and for other people here in the Islands," notes Lopez, one of five Hawaiian cabinet members. "We have a significant responsibility and opportunity to make a difference. Nobody is going to take care of us. We have to take care of ourselves, and eaeh other, and the state as a whole." Working out of an office with a stunning view of 'Iolani Palaee reinforces the values Lopez applies to her work. "Our ali'i set up a govemment that served all the people of Hawai'i, but at the same time Native Hawaiians had a mueh more distinct role in government than we do now," she observes. Inclusiveness comes naturally to Lopez, who wants to build confidence in state government through transparency and accountability and hopefully encourage more people to step into leadership positions. In the few months she's been on the job, Lopez has seen how the harsh eeonomie environment has made people more vulnerable to taking imprudent risks to save their homes from foreclosure or make a quick buck. "Regrettably, there are people out there who will take advantage of people in their most dire moments," she said. The department has seen an increase in licensing violations ranging from unlicensed contractors and construction workers to licensees who take on work beyond what they are officially authorized to do. The department has launched numerous investigatons into scams and unlicensed activities, but Lopez wants to raise consumer awareness to better inform decision making in the marketplace. The public ean use the DCCA web site to find out whether a business is licensed, how long it's been in business and whether complaints have been filed against it. "A lot of people will do research on a car before they buy a car, or do a lot of research on a lot of other appliances that they purchase," she notes, but adds, "They don't do the research when it comes to people working on their homes, or someone who might be a doctor, or a dentist or an accountant." Her job hasn't been easy, but Lopez hadn't expected it to be. For her, the real reward has being able to do work that helps people every day. "It's aloha," she says. "It's caring for other people, caring for the government and caring for the state as a whole." ■ Treena Shapiro, afreelance writer, is aformer reporter for the Honolulu Star-BuIIetin anel Honolulu Advertiser.

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I T1 I mL Keali'i Lopez, Director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, outside the King Kalōkaua Buidling, where her third-floor office overlooks 'lolani Palaee. - Photo: Treena Shapiro