Pilina Podcast | Ep. 04 — Leonani Puailihau: Leading with Culture, Connection & Strategy

Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where connection is everything: to our stories, our culture, and the voices that shape them. We’re your hosts, Tiera and Shanztyn.

In this episode, we sit down with Leonani Puailihau — a wahine whose journey bridges community, culture, and strategy. From building ʻāina-based education programs to leading government and community relations for Turo, Leonani’s work reflects deep pilina to both people and place.

She’s also the founder of OLAOILS, blending wellness and Hawaiian values into an entrepreneurial path that empowers others. Whether she’s in the classroom, at the Capitol, or in community, Leonani leads with clarity, compassion, and cultural integrity.

We talk story about:

• How pilina (connection) shapes her life and leadership
• Navigating multiple roles — educator, entrepreneur, policy liaison, and community strategist
• The mission behind OLAOILS and wellness through a Native Hawaiian lens
• Lessons learned from planning large-scale community events and listening to the lāhui
• Why ʻāina-based education is vital for our keiki
• Strategies for navigating tough conversations and pushback
• Advice for wāhine leaders across multiple sectors
• Her vision for the next 5–10 years in business, community, and education
• The legacy of aloha she hopes to leave for future generations

Plus, we wrap up with a rapid-fire round of “What’s the Scoop?” for some fun, personal insights.

Mahalo nui loa to Leonani for sharing her mana‘o, her journey, and her unwavering dedication to uplifting our communities through culture, leadership, and pilina. Her story is a powerful reminder that connection is more than a value — it’s a practice.

If this episode inspired you, please share it forward. That’s how we grow pilina — by lifting each other up.

Follow Leonani Puailihau:

@olaoilss

Send us a text

Support the show