About Representative Souza

Kanani holds elected office as the State Representative for District 43 (Makakilo and Kapolei) in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature.  Kanani is a licensed attorney in the State of Hawaiʻi and Washington D.C.  She is a graduate of The Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California in political science with a minor in cinema/television, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with a specialization in curriculum and instruction from Chaminade University, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Hawaiʻi, William S. Richardson School of Law, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, and Energy Law from Lewis and Clark Law School, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Air and Space Law from the University of Mississippi School of Law.  Kanani has worked in the public sector and in private practice.  She was also a Lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi, West O'ahu, where she taught business law.  In 2023, Kanani was named a National Foundation for Women Legislators Women of Excellence Award Winner.