Mana Mele

With the environment being fundamental to Hawaiian culture, “Aloha aina is always a big part of everything we do,” according to Keola Nakashini, Director of Mana Maoli. Lead Engineer Kelli Cruz says there was never any question that the design would be environmentally conscious. According to Kelli, “It was not, ‘Do we go solar?;’ it was, ‘Why shouldn’t we go solar?’ The only obstacle was, “How do we make it mobile?’”

Mana Mele’s renewable efforts define their overall philosophy. While the project’s focus is primarily on education, the solar-powered, mobile setup also can provide studio recording or entertainment services for live events to the public, with a fee-for-service that returns the proceeds to fund the project and the school’s curriculum. The outreach extends Meleana’s influence both practically and ideologically; her own story helps others to envision a new era of clean energy possibilities.