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Makana Reilly (ʻo ia) is the Director of ʻĀina Connection Makana Reilly brings her expertise to the Hawai’i Land Trust as of August 2019. Mother of two keiki ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi, ʻōlapa for Hālau Nā Pualei o Likolehua, and founder of a non-profit that protects and cares for a fishpond on Kauaʻi, Makana is no stranger to advocacy and protection of the rights of Native Hawaiians and the lands which we call home. Born and raised in a multigenerational, traditional home in the beautiful Mānoa Valley, on the island of Oʻahu, Makana was raised by a legacy of strong Native Hawaiian female educators. Her formal education includes a Master of Arts in ʻŌlelo Hawai`i with a focus on Familial Land Management Options, a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of Miami, graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, and most importantly, a proud graduate of Pūnana Leo O Honolulu. In her previous work duties as one of the two Luna Ho’okele (Manager) of the community gathering space, Ka Waiwai, Makana helped to bring an innovative community gathering and working space into reality. Building on strong, trusted relationships with community leaders, Makana’s reputation to breathe life into a new visionary workspace helped to launch Waiwai into a community staple and home for activists, educators, ‘ohana and learners. In addition to her professional duties, Makana has a number of volunteer kuleana as a member of the Kōmike Advocacy and Kōmike Hoʻolōkahi, both under Kanaeokana, and a member of the kōmike on protocol at the Mānoa Heritage Center. Makana currently resides on the island of Kauaʻi where she leads up the work to enhance community connections to HILT’s public lands throughout Hawai‘i. This includes leading educational and cultural programming initiatives on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island. “This position plays a critical role in supporting HILT’s focus on helping people throughout Hawaiʻi build reciprocal relationships with natural places in their community,” said Laura H.E. Kaakua, CEO of HILT. “Makana deeply understands the importance of building communities that are connected to and feel a responsibility to care for their coastlines, Hawaiian cultural landscapes, and farms.