Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba presently serves as the representative for District 8 (North Kona) on the Hawaiʻi County Council. Born and raised in Kaloko, Kona, Dr. Inaba’s roots trace back to a family legacy in Hōlualoa, where his ‘ohana managed the renowned Kona Hotel for nearly a century. His mother, Kawehi Inaba, is a longtime Kona resident and the founder of Mokulele Airlines, Kona’s hometown airline.
Dr. Inaba attended Ke Kula ʻo ʻEhunuikaimalino in Kona before graduating from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama High School. His academic journey includes a B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies and Communication Studies from Chapman University, a Master’s degree in Health and Strategic Communication, and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership.
Before assuming his role on the Hawaiʻi County Council, Dr. Inaba worked as a donor relations assistant and instructor in business and professional communication at Chapman University. Beyond his council responsibilities, he remains engaged in the education sector, contributing to the education of keiki at Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Education. Dr. Inaba is also actively involved in community service as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Kāhuli Leo Leʻa and as a member of the Board of Directors for Aliʻi Health Center.
About Kīpuka Moʻolelo
He papa hana hou ʻo Kīpuka Moʻolelo e hāpai aʻe ana i ka ʻōlelo, moʻomeheu, a kuanaʻike Hawaiʻi ma ka hoʻonaʻauao, kālaiʻāina, mele, a hoʻopaipai pū. Ma ka holo ʻana o ka papa hana, nānā ʻia ka moʻolelo o kekahi o nā koa o ke aukahi hoʻōla ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, a pēlā pū hoʻi nā kānaka e ʻaʻa nei i nā palena o ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. He papa hana laulima ʻo Kīpuka Moʻolelo na ʻŌiwi TV, Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, ke Kikowaena Kilo Hōkū ʻo ʻImiloa, a me ke Koleke ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi ʻo Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani.
Kīpuka Moʻolelo is a new series exploring the contemporary use of the Hawaiian language, culture, and perspective in the areas of education, politics, music, and advocacy. Over the course of the series, we learn about the journey of a few early proponents of the Hawaiian language revitalization movement as well as others who are pushing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into new domains. Kīpuka Moʻolelo is a collaboration between ʻŌiwi TV, Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, and Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.
