Noelani Kalipi serves as the President of Kalipi Enterprises, LLC where she assists clients with project development and project management, specializing strategic planning and implementation and meaningful community engagement. Ms. Kalipi is also the Vice President for Development for Progression Energy.
As Counsel for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Ms. Kalipi helped to develop and implement strategies to move Senator Akaka’s legislative priorities forward. This included extensive engagement at the grassroots level with constituents from various communities, businesses, and policy positions throughout the State of Hawaii in addition to work with national coalitions and organizations. Ms. Kalipi also served as the Democratic Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
As the Director for Government and Community Relations for First Wind, Ms. Kalipi led development strategy for utility-scale wind projects on the islands of Maui, Oahu, and Molokai. As the President of TiLeaf Group, a native advocacy firm helping Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and Indian Tribal communities with economic development, Ms. Kalipi assisted community entities, tribal organizations, and native businesses in strategic planning and implementation, project development, and policy advocacy and communications.
As the Executive Director at Kohala Institute, Ms. Kalipi managed a team focused on fostering place-based learning experiences and innovative social enterprises within 2400 acres. Utilizing the Collaboration For Solutions methodology developed with the Hawaii Leadership Forum, Ms. Kalipi facilitated discussions on divisive issues with community organizations and businesses and created a leadership training program for high school students to engage in applied learning experiences focused on utilizing tools and skills to successfully navigate difficult conversations and challenging situations facing families and communities.
Ms. Kalipi served on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. Government & Politics and Economics, and earned her Juris Doctor from the National Law Center at George Washington University.
Ms. Kalipi is an active participant in the Hawaii Leadership Forum and Omidyar Fellows program. Ms. Kalipi is also involved with the First Nations Fellows Program and Hawaii Investment Ready Hawaii Capital Scan. She supports Arizona State University with its Hawaii partnerships and serves on the Board of Directors for PBS Hawaii. Ms. Kalipi lives in Hilo, HI is married to Gaylen Kalipi, and has two daughters, Hau’oli and Ku’uipo. During her free time, Ms. Kalipi coaches fast-pitch softball and volunteers for various nonprofit organizations.
