Leilani Ako

The sound of trade winds rustling through coconut palms and the distant rhythm of waves breaking on reef—these are the melodies that have shaped my life since I was born and raised here on O'ahu. I'm Leilani Ako, and if you're reading this, you're probably planning your own Hawai'i adventure or looking to deepen your connection to these sacred islands I call home.

My story begins in the hālau (hula school), where I first learned to move my feet to the ancient chants passed down through generations of my 'ohana (family). Under the loving but watchful eye of my tutu (grandmother), I discovered that hula isn't just dance—it's our way of keeping history alive, of honoring the land, and of connecting to something much bigger than ourselves. At twelve years old, I had the incredible privilege of dancing at the Merrie Monarch Festival, an experience that cemented my commitment to preserving and sharing Hawaiian culture.

Growing up in Kailua meant that the ocean was my second classroom. Before I could properly spell "humuhumunukunukuāpua'a," I was already learning to identify Hawaii's state fish and twenty-nine others during countless snorkel adventures at Hanauma Bay. Those early morning surf sessions at Castles taught me patience, respect for the ocean's power, and the pure joy of gliding across waves that have traveled thousands of miles to meet our shores.

After earning my B.A. in Hawaiian Studies from UH Mānoa, I spent five transformative years traveling throughout the archipelago, running cultural workshops and sharing the stories woven into every mele (song) and hula step. Each island taught me something new—from the dramatic sea cliffs of Moloka'i to the volcanic landscapes of the Big Island—and I fell in love with the diversity and beauty of our island chain over and over again.

Today, I'm happily rooted on O'ahu's West Side in Kapolei with my high school sweetheart Kanoa and our two adventurous keiki (children)—Malia, who's six and already showing promise as a little surfer, and four-year-old Nalu, whose curiosity about reef fish matches my own at that age. Marriage and motherhood haven't dimmed my wanderlust; they've simply given me a new lens through which to explore our islands. Now when I discover a perfect snorkel spot or family-friendly beach, I'm thinking about whether it's safe for little ones and if there are nearby facilities for diaper changes and snack breaks.

As a community programs coordinator for a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Hawaiian culture, I spend my days ensuring that traditions like traditional lei making, native plant cultivation, and ancestral chanting techniques continue to thrive in our modern world. It's work that feeds my soul and honors my ancestors. In my freelance role as a writer and content curator for Things To Do Hawai'i, I get to share my insider knowledge with visitors and locals alike, always with an emphasis on respectful, sustainable tourism that benefits our communities.

My approach to sharing Hawai'i is deeply rooted in the principle of mālama 'āina—caring for the land. Whether I'm recommending reef-safe sunscreen (I can demonstrate proper application in under sixty seconds!) or pointing you toward locally-owned businesses, my goal is always to help you experience our islands in ways that honor and protect them for future generations.

You'll often find me leading community hula classes, hunting for rainbow fish with my GoPro at Electric Beach, or untangling my kids' lei string after our latest craft project. I keep a waterproof ukulele in my beach wagon because music and ocean adventures go hand in hand, and there's nothing quite like singing Hawaiian songs while watching a Waikīkī sunset.

Whether you're planning your first visit to Hawai'i or you're a longtime kama'āina (local resident) looking for fresh perspectives on familiar places, I'm here to share the islands through the eyes of someone who was born from this land and continues to learn from it every day.