Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D., is President/CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a public policy research institution dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, free markets, and limited, accountable government.  He is also a Trustee-at-Large in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a statewide elective position to which he was elected in 2016 and then re-elected in 2020 with 197,000 votes.

Dr. Akina is a leader who is transforming Hawaii's economy, government, and society. He is known for the phrase he coined, "E Hana Kākou!" which means, Let's work together! Over the past several years as a public policy adviser at the state and national levels, Dr. Akina has become a leading defender of the Aloha Spirit. His mission is to preserve the Aloha Spirit by which Hawaiians and people of all races are welcomed and encouraged to work together for a better future. As a Native Hawaiian and skilled chanter, Dr. Akina has dedicated his life to the education and financial advancement of both Hawaiians and all people in the islands, starting in the 1980's as the director of Youth for Christ on the Wai`anae and Nanakuli coast.