Iwalani Clayton (Resilience Corps Leader)

Aloha, my name is Iwalani, and I am a CERENE Resilience Corps Leader (RCL). I live within O’ahu’s Neighborhood Board #1, Hawaii Kai (Mokupuni o O’ahu, in the Moku o Koʻolaupoko, in the Ahupua’a o Waimanalo, and in the ‘Ili o Maunalua). I have an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and one in Hawaiian Studies from Kapi’olani Community College (KCC). I am currently a student at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa at the College of Education. My major is a Bachelor in Special Needs Education (BSNEd) with a specialization in Early Childhood Education (ECE). My interests have always included music, dance, reading for pleasure, and art in mixed media, including painting, arts and crafts, and technology (web designing). My passions are intertwined with my culture, heritage, and the practice of Mālama ‘Āina or the “nurturing and care for the land.” It is the Hawaiian privilege, or Kuleana, of our ancestors (kūpuna), and it is based on the relationship between man and the care and preservation of the land or ʻāina. When we take care of the environment and its people, they in turn will help to sustain life for its inhabitants and future generations. I have been with Cerene since it’s beginning. As part of my work with the Resilience Corps Leaders (RCLs), I will be helping others learn, prepare, and adapt to adversity and any internal or external stressors on an individual, family, community, and cultural level.  One fun fact about me that you may not know is that I used to be a country-line dance instructor and Kumu Hula.