Liliuokalani Trust Announces New Executive Director of Keahuolu

(HONOLULU – June 23, 2026) -- Liliʻuokalani Trust announced that Mana Purdy was named Executive Director of Keahuolū, the 3,200-acre ahupuaʻa stewarded by Liliʻuokalani Trust.

Born and raised in Waimea and with more than a decade of service at the Trust in roles as varied as Natural Assets and Operations to Managing Director of New Initiatives, Purdy now has kuleana for overseeing ʻāina stewardship, youth and community programming and supportive services, and the cultivation and implementation of innovative ideas that uplift Native Hawaiian youth and families. This includes the programs and services operated out of the Trust's office known as Kīpuka Kona.

“The Trust created this role to ensure our stewardship of this ahupuaʻa was considered holistically,” said Ellise Morimoto, a spokesperson for the Trust. “Our goal with this role is to ensure that all activity in this area supports the goal of thriving Hawaiian children. Leasing and development activities will continue to be managed by the Trust’s Endowment Team in Honolulu.”

Purdy assumed the role on June 15. His immediate plans are to expand current activities at Makalapua Shopping Center by expanding the popular Food Truck Fridays. There will also be opportunities to bring the Trust’s youth in to take advantage of spaces that have since been vacated by previous retail tenants.

Now in Kona, Purdy remains on the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team based out of Honolulu and reports directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Cultural Anthropology from Northern Arizona University, and is an alumnus of Hawaii Preparatory Academy.