Cohort I

Kenna Higa

Office of Representative Ed Case (HI)
Home State: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
School: Howard University
Degree: Business Administration (BA ‘25)
LinkedIn

Kenna Higa was born and raised in Nuʻuanu, Oʻahu, and is a proud alumna of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. She graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s in Business Management/Administration. At Howard, she was part of the 21st Century Advantage Program, a nationally recognized, innovative program in business education that helps prepare its students for the business world. Kenna was partnered with Boeing, one of the many supportive corporate sponsors in the program.

Kenna excelled as a collegiate athlete for the Bison softball team, helping her team win their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship in 2025. Throughout her off time in college, she interned for Senator Mazie Hirono and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, helping to host the renowned Taste of Hawaii on the Hill. While interning, she was able to work with the local community and businesses to gain a sense of the needs of the islands.

In the future, she hopes to serve the people of Hawaiʻi through non-profit work. She is a part of Papakū No Kāmehaʻikana, a non-profit that organizes Native Hawaiian activities for families to promote traditional cultural practices. She aspires to give back to the lāhui and start a non-profit for Native Hawaiians. She also has an interest in focusing on self-sustainability and supporting small businesses on the island.

In her free time, she enjoys dancing hula, hiking, and singing.

"Entering this newly developed fellowship, I did not know what to expect, but my experience quickly became one of the most formative chapters of my professional journey.
One of the most meaningful aspects of my experience was participating in community volunteer efforts organized by our office. During the government shutdown in October, we volunteered at food drives specifically serving federal employees facing sudden financial uncertainty. Being able to witness and respond to the immediate needs of the community reinforced the program’s emphasis on compassion, service, and community-centered leadership. Seeing the direct impact of our work filled my heart and reaffirmed my commitment to public service.
Through these experiences, the Kūhiō Fellows Program has supported the expansion of my interest in public service, and reinforced my commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian community in my future career goals."