Leilani Yanagi

Leilani Yanagi serves as a Native Hawaiian Success Counselor and Instructor in Student Services at Leeward Community College, University of Hawai‘i, where she specializes in culturally responsive support for Native Hawaiian students.

Her educational foundation includes:

• BA in Hawaiian Studies from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
• MEd from Nova Southeastern University

Her professional focus centers on indigenous student success through culturally grounded counseling methodologies, academic advising frameworks that honor Hawaiian epistemologies, and retention strategies addressing systemic barriers in higher education.

Yanagi maintains significant institutional leadership through:

• Vice Chair of Nā ʻEwa
• Native Hawaiian Place of Learning pillar membership
• Pūkoʻa Council participation
• Leeward CC representation on Native Hawaiian Student Affairs committee
• OER Committee and Academic Advising Transfer Network involvement

Students access her expertise through direct counseling services in DA 104B, emphasizing holistic academic guidance that integrates cultural identity with educational achievement for Native Hawaiian learners.