Lokelani Brandt, M.A.

Owner, Principal Researcher

Born in Kailua, Oʻahu but raised in Hilo and Puna on Hawaiʻi Island, Lokelani has dedicated the past twelve years advocating for the protection and celebration of Hawaiʻi's cultural heritage. After graduating from Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, she went on to earn her B.A. in Anthropology and Hawaiian Studies. During a short hiatus from academia, she worked as an educator teaching Hawaiian language and culture courses at I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles at Hawaiʻi Community College and mentored aspiring cultural stewards through the Wahi Kūpuna Internship Program. She subsequently earned her M.A. in Heritage Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

​She has held various roles in Cultural Resource Management, from conducting fieldwork as a Field Technician, documenting oral histories as an Ethnographer, to organizing and leading several community-based cultural stewardship programs. As a Senior Archaeologist & Ethnographer with ASM Affiliates, Lokelani's leadership and expertise contributed to numerous projects before founding Hoaʻāina Heritage Services in 2024, where she continues to advocate for the perpetuation and celebration of Hawaiian culture. 

She had conducted well over 500 ethnographic interviews, coauthored peer reviewed journal articles, and authored well over 100 technical reports and studies. 

Lokelani also collaborates with professional subcontractors to assist with different project aspects. ​

Contact Lokelani