Kaʻala Souza

Kaʻala Souza is an, author, consultant, and digital-skills advocate whose work sits at the intersection of leadership, technology, education, and Hawaiian values. A self-described “part historian, part futurist,” Souza has built a career helping organizations and communities navigate change while keeping people, culture, and relationships at the center of the conversation.

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Souza began his professional career in marketing research and program evaluation before becoming a professional speaker, consultant, and trainer. He has worked with a wide range of public and private organizations in Hawaiʻi, delivering training and keynotes on leadership, management, communication, collaboration, customer service, resilience, and workplace well-being.

A central theme of Souza’s work is pono, a Hawaiian concept associated with balance, right relationship, and doing what is right. He is the author of "Pono: A Hawaiian-Style Approach to Balance and Well-Being," and his approach to leadership emphasizes connecting contemporary workplace practices with enduring Hawaiian values. His presentations often encourage audiences to think differently about leadership, change, and what it means to thrive rather than simply survive.

In recent years, Souza has increasingly focused on digital equity and the future of work in Hawaiʻi. His work has included helping communities develop basic digital skills, access technology, and prepare for an increasingly digital economy. He has participated in statewide efforts to provide computers and digital-literacy education, with particular attention to communities and older residents who may have been left behind by rapid technological change.

Souza is also associated with Māpunawai, a Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit focused on digital inclusion. Through The Future of Work, a podcast produced by Māpunawai, Souza has explored how education, government, and business can respond to rapid technological and economic change, interviewing leaders from organizations including Microsoft as well as government and business leaders.