Nalu OʻConnor

2024-2025 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader

Headshot of Nalu OʻConnor, 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader

Program Leader, The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo

Hawaiʻi

Nalu OʻConnor is the program leader of the Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences (PIPES) program at the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo. PIPES nurtures future aloha ʻāina leaders in Hawaiʻi through place-based internships, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. Nalu equips young leaders to embrace leadership as a marathon, not a sprint, through a capacity-building framework that follows four values and relationships of Hawaiʻi: Naʻau, ʻĀina, Kaiāulu, and Kaʻao. Nalu is committed to exploring the ideas of reconnecting people, place, and practice with the ultimate goal of ʻāina momona, or abundant ecosystems and thriving communities.

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Meet the 2024-2025 Asia-Pacific Leaders

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Leaders

For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.

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  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water terrace to honor Ann Dunham will feature Maya Lin sculpture
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  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
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  • Barack Obama
Watch: President Obama shares the vision of the presidential center
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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