Four years ago, Sharla Kaleihua Kahale-Miner, 61, decided to change her life and go back to school to pursue her dreams of becoming a lawyer.
After witnessing various injustices to local families, Kahale-Miner decided to take matters into her own hands and become a voice for the voiceless.
In 2018, Kahale-Miner found out that her family had land from her great-great grandmother, but she had to get a lawyer before even attempting to obtain any property.
“That was the start of my journey. I realized that as long as I have breath and vitality, I need to do something,” Kahale-Miner said. “I want do be voice for voiceless and for those who don’t have the encouragement to do more. There is land left from ancestors that we can’t even obtain, and it’s sad that so many have to move from their home islands because we just can’t afford to live here.”
Kahale-Miner started attending the University of Southern New Hampshire in 2019 and spent all her undergraduate studies learning online while balancing the time difference, running a hula studio, and being a doting grandmother.
Even with added challenges, Kahale-Miner graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. She plans to attend law school at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law after completing the LSAT exam.
“It was four years online, which is really hard. It was hard to be motivated, but I had to persevere, and I did it,” Kahale- Miner said. “I’m a grandma of nine grandchildren, and I travel a lot with my kids and am very involved. I was still able to do that, although I stayed up for long hours frequently.”
A former Polynesian dancer, Kahale-Miner has lived in Kailua-Kona since 1983 and owns the hula studio, Hula in Motion, which she also had to balance while attending school.
While it was sometimes hard to stay motivated during the four years, her passion and dream of helping local families drove her to keep going.
“I’m a hula instructor and manager, but I always wanted to be an advocate to local families, and adding J.D. (juris doctor) behind my name will allow my voice to be heard,” Kahale-Miner said. “I want to be a family lawyer and help with any kind of need or struggle, even if I have to do it pro bono. There is work to be done, so local families can stay on their home island and raise their families here.”
Kahale-Miner’s daughter, Briahni Marie Atisanoe, was not surprised by her mother’s decision to go back to school, since she continuously inspires her four children and nine grandchildren with an undying work ethic and passion for helping people.
“This is something I would definitely expect from her. She’s always been a leader. She has a good foundation of work ethic and has passed that on to us,” Atisanoe said. “When I saw her start going back to school, I knew she was working so hard to become the leader she wants to be for those in need. There are so many Hawaiian families priced out of the land that should be theirs, and she has always wanted to help in some way.
According to Atisanoe, Kahale-Miner’s grandchildren are excited and proud of their “pua,” and were cheering her on from home when she walked across the stage for her degree.
“Going back to school and graduating is a huge accomplishment, and I wish my grandmother was here to see it,” Atisanoe said. “At (Kahale-Miner’s) age, most people would be looking toward retirement, but she’s just getting started on her third career. She has inspired us all to press forward no matter what, because nothing is impossible.
While Kahale-Miner is looking forward to continuing her path to becoming a lawyer, she also hopes her story can motivate and inspire others her age to pursue their dreams, regardless of age or other circumstances.
“You can obtain whatever you want, whatever your heart desires. You have to keep on keeping on,” Kahale-Miner said. “Your best days are ahead of you, not behind, and I believe when people have that mindset, it will keep hope alive.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.