Malia Kaaihue is a highly recognized entrepreneur and an award-winning author who is deeply involved with, and passionate about, Hawaiian culture and Hawaii’s community.

Malia has founded eight companies, among them DTL Hawaiʻi, Aina Archaeology, Kumau Productions, Kohina Media, Aloha Modern, Actions of Aloha, OLA Hawaii, and Pilina Planning. Each is Native Hawaiian owned and operated, and each is led by a Native Hawaiian CEO she lifted up, invested in, and continues to guide strategically. Her companies have served more than one hundred clients across strategy, archaeology, planning, film, and digital media, and together they have grossed over $70 million.

Malia serves as Vice Chair of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. Pacific Business News has recognized her among Hawaii’s Fastest 50, the top 25 Women Owned Businesses, Forty Under 40, Industry Leader, and Woman to Watch, and Hawaii Business Magazine featured her on the cover of 20 For the Next 20. She is a Pacific Century Fellow, an Omidyar Fellow, and a Mana Up Fellow.

Malia is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama and the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she received a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Studies and Language, and master and doctoral degrees in Political Science. Waiohinu is her kulaiwi, Hilo is her one hanau, and she lives in Makaha with her kane Duane DeSoto with their eight children and three moopuna.