My family is the reason I do what I do, and the motivation that keeps me going.

Aloha! I’m Kirstin Kahaloa. My parents, Kari (Westly) Clark and the late Miles Kahaloa were born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island with roots in Hilo, Keaukaha, ʻOpihikao, Kaʻū and Waipiʻo. My brother Aaron and I were raised on Oʻahu while our parents furthered their education.

After college and over a decade in the Continental U.S. working in higher education, I was able to come home to the place I wanted to raise my ʻohana.

I live in Kona with my partner Ilihia Gionson and our daughter Kawaipōmaikaʻi. We are blessed to raise her with Grandma Kari and Grandpa Gary Clark, and Grandpa Tony Gionson, a.k.a. Pops. My father-in-law Tony is a Vietnam Veteran and we are grateful for his service to our nation.

My brother Aaron and his family reside on Maui. He serves his community as a Maui County Fire Fighter in Lahaina. My sister-in-law Jessie works in healthcare, and my nephew Kamaʻehu and niece Lili are active athletes and scholars.

We are also fortunate to have my grandmother Virginia Westly, 91 years young, living in Keauhou. Keeping Hawaiʻi Island a place that my family and all local families can proudly call home is a driving force behind all I do.