About The Queens Court
Learn about our mission, values, and the dedicated team working to preserve Queen Liliʻuokalani's legacy.
Our Story
The Queens Court was established in 2013 to honor and perpetuate the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi's last reigning monarch. Our organization is dedicated to preserving Hawaiian culture, promoting education about Hawaiian history, and advocating for issues important to Native Hawaiians.
Founded as a self-funded initiative by a group of cultural practitioners, educators, and community leaders, The Queens Court works to ensure that the Queen's vision for her people continues to guide and inspire future generations. We believe in the power of education, cultural preservation, and community engagement to create positive change.
Through our programs and initiatives, we strive to honor Queen Liliʻuokalani's legacy of resilience, compassion, and aloha for her people and land. We are committed to perpetuating Hawaiian cultural practices, supporting Native Hawaiian education, and advocating for justice and sovereignty.
As a BIPOC-led organization, over 50% of our Board is comprised of Black, Indigenous, and people of color members. Our mission statement and guiding principles are explicitly committed to building power within BIPOC communities, with a special focus on Native Hawaiian empowerment and cultural preservation.
Our Organization
A BIPOC-led organization committed to preserving Hawaiian culture and advancing Native Hawaiian interests
Organizational Overview
The Queens Court is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 with a mission to honor and perpetuate the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani through cultural preservation, education, and advocacy. Our board is comprised of over 50% BIPOC members, with strong representation from the Native Hawaiian community.
We operate primarily on Oʻahu with programs extending to neighbor islands. Our work is guided by traditional Hawaiian values and protocols, with a commitment to community-based leadership and decision-making processes that center Native Hawaiian voices.
Volunteers: 75+ active community membersFocus Areas
- Cultural Preservation & Practice
- Hawaiian Language Revitalization
- Indigenous Rights & Sovereignty
- Youth Leadership Development
Communities Served
- Native Hawaiian communities
- Rural and underserved areas
- Youth and elders (kūpuna)
- LGBTQ+ (including māhū community)
Board and Staff Leadership
Meet the dedicated individuals who guide our organization's mission and work.
Our leadership team provides strategic direction and operational excellence, ensuring our work is rooted in ʻOnipaʻa (steadfastness) and serves the Native Hawaiian lāhui.
Kailana Kahawaluokalani Kepelino Moa-Eli
Founder & Executive Director IMs. Kailana is the visionary leader of The Queens Court, deeply engaged in advocating for kūpuna, houseless individuals, mahū rights, healthcare access, and foster children in her cherished ʻāina hānai, Waianae.
As a hula dancer, lei maker, and genealogy enthusiast, she brings a profound understanding of Hawaiian culture and sacred protocols, particularly regarding Mauna ʻAla. Her innovative leadership was exemplified in the Onipaʻa 2020 March, where she creatively integrated Queen Liliʻuokalani's legacy through thematic attire and music compositions.
She is a lifelong Hawaiian language learner and has coordinated fundraisers for Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa. Her kūpuna had a close relationship with Queen Liliʻuokalani, and her ʻohana is instrumental in perpetuating the Onipaʻa Peace March. Her relationship with the mahū community and long-time membership in Hui Kū Like Kākou under alakaʻi Kaukaohu Wailani further solidifies her deep connection and service to the community.
Dorian Likolehua Cabanting
Co-founder & Executive Director IIMs. Likolehua is a co-founder of The Queens Court and a proud graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with degrees in ʻIke Hawaiʻi (Kūkulu ʻAupuni & Mālama ʻĀina) and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
Her academic background provides a strong foundation in Hawaiian governance and land stewardship. She has valuable experience in non-profit grant writing and is a fierce advocate for Hawaiian culture and traditions.
As an active member of the Queen Kaʻahumanu Society and a lifelong learner of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, she deeply embodies the cultural values central to our work. Like Ms. Moa-Eli, she has been a long-standing member of Hui Kū Like Kākou, steadfastly guided by our kūpuna to become a strong advocate for the lāhui.
Kaylene Kauwila Sheldon
Board Committee Member & Director of Programs OperationsMs. Kauwila is a dedicated educator at Kahuku High and Intermediate School, where she teaches Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi I and II. She holds a Master's in Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
She is pursuing a doctoral degree with an emphasis on Indigenous Leadership, demonstrating her commitment to advancing Indigenous knowledge and leadership methodologies. As a hula dancer for Hālau Kekela and an advisor for the Hui O Keana (Hawaiian Club) and Indigenous Engineering Club at Kahuku High & Intermediate, she actively perpetuates Hawaiian culture and mentors the next generation.
Her profound genealogical ties to Queen Liliʻuokalani through her great-grand aunt, Sophia Sheldon, and her great-great-grandfather's activism, imbue her with a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility) and steadfastness for justice, making the Onipaʻa Peace March a deeply personal and meaningful project for her and the community it serves. She has also served as secretary for the Koʻolauloa Hawaiian Civic Club and the Kaʻaʻawa Community Association, and is a co-chair committee member of Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, demonstrating extensive community involvement and leadership.
Community Advisory Councils & Key Collaborators
The Queens Court ensures community-based leadership and decision-making through active engagement with various advisory groups and collaborative partners.
Their input is central to shaping our work and ensuring it is responsive to the needs of the Native Hawaiian lāhui.
Kupuna Council
Provides invaluable cultural guidance, historical context, and spiritual direction, directly shaping our strategies and ensuring our work respects traditional Hawaiian protocols.
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Members of this community of interest participate in regular meetings, offering vital input and guidance on our programs and ensuring our initiatives align with the broader interests and aspirations of the Native Hawaiian community.
Hui Kū Like Kākou
Members actively participate in regular meetings, providing feedback and guidance, strengthening our collective identity, and supporting grassroots mobilization efforts.
Kahili Bearers
Our Kahili Bearers carry the royal standards that symbolize the authority and lineage of Hawaiian aliʻi. This ceremonial role honors Queen Liliʻuokalani's royal status and connects our work to Hawaiian traditions of leadership and protocol.
Jonah Booth Cummings
Poʻo (Leader) of Kahili BearersAs Poʻo of our Kahili Bearers, Jonah leads this ceremonial group with deep respect for Hawaiian protocol and royal traditions. He ensures that our ceremonial practices honor Queen Liliʻuokalani appropriately and maintain the dignity of Hawaiian royal symbols.
Jonah has studied traditional Hawaiian ceremonies and protocols for over 15 years and brings this knowledge to training and guiding our team of Kahili Bearers. His leadership ensures that these important cultural practices are perpetuated with accuracy and respect.
Kiaʻi Team
Our Kiaʻi (guardians/protectors) team ensures the safety, security, and proper protocol during our events and ceremonies. They play a vital role in protecting our cultural practices and creating a respectful environment for all participants.
Kiaʻi Team Leader
Team LeaderCoordinates our team of guardians and works closely with event organizers to ensure safety protocols are followed.
Our Values
These core principles guide our work and reflect Queen Liliʻuokalani's own values and vision.
Aloha
Love, compassion, and respect guide all of our interactions and work. We approach our mission with deep care for our community and culture.
ʻOnipaʻa
Steadfastness and resilience in the face of challenges. Like Queen Liliʻuokalani, we remain committed to our purpose despite obstacles.
Mālama ʻĀina
Care for the land and natural resources. We recognize our responsibility to protect and preserve Hawaiʻi's environment for future generations.
Lōkahi
Unity and harmony. We believe in bringing people together across differences to work toward common goals and mutual understanding.
Hoʻonaʻauao
Education and knowledge sharing. We are committed to teaching and learning about Hawaiian history, culture, and language.
Kuleana
Responsibility and privilege. We honor our duty to serve our community and uphold the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani with integrity.