Born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Kawika Maui Hā Kalama grew up away from his island of Kaua’i, Hawai’i. Raised by a single mother from Kaneohe, Alaskan elders, and countless cab drivers, Kawika learned to live authentically which planted the seed for their future Indigenous identity. After an adolescence of assimilation, Maui began reconnecting with Ho’omana Hawai’i, ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i, and Kanaka Maoli culture as a whole during Hā’s studies at Willamette University. They are dedicated to Indigenous activism, Queer storytelling, and uplifting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities of color. Kawika centers Indigeneity, Queerness, and Critical Theory in all of their art. A tireless desire to collaborate encapsulates this relationship between space, time, and community.

Hā founded Ahkilama on 13 February, 2018 originally offering photography services exclusively. Since, Kalama’s skillset has expanded to include business consulting for artists, jewelry design, and fostering a growing Discord community of artists of all media.

Kawika also teaches financial literacy classes in-person and online. Kalama’s aspiration is to guide as many Black and Brown, Indigenous, and Queer folx towards Financial Independence as possible. The My Wai podcast invite followers to explore what “wealth” actually is, not just focusing on financial wealth, but identifying how we can foster wealth in our spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, social, and intellectual lives as well.