About Esther Kiaʻāina
Esther credits her family’s values, her cosmopolitan upbringing, and over 30 years of work experience in Washington, D.C., Hawai’i, and the Pacific Islands region, as providing her with a strong background to help our Windward communities, while navigating all levels of government, including at the City Council.
Esther’s Professional Experience - 30 Years of Public Service
Vice-Chair of the Honolulu City Council and Councilmember for District III (ʻĀhuimanu, Heʻeia, Haʻikū, Kāneʻohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake and Waimānalo)
Executive Director, Pacific Basin Development Council
Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas, U.S. Department of the Interior, Obama Administration
First Deputy Director, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
Chief Advocate, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Land Asset Manager, The Kamehameha Schools
Chief of Staff, U.S. Congressman Ed Case, 2nd Congressional District, which includes City Council District III
Chief of Staff, U.S. Congressman Robert Underwood of Guam
Volunteer Intern, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye
Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka
Esther’s Educational Background
The George Washington University Law School, J.D.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
University of Southern California, B.A.
Waseda University (Tokyo, Japan)
The Kamehameha Schools, High School Diploma
