About Us
Behind the Name
Like with any Hawaiian name, Kuahine carries layers of meaning. At its core, Kuahine translates to "sister," a nod to my brother and his company, Kapule LLC, our partner company. Breaking the name down further, kua means "back," and hine or wahine means "woman." This can symbolize being carried on a woman’s back, highlighting that this is a woman-owned business. Lastly, Kuahine, or Tuahine as it's more commonly known, is also the name of the misty rain of Mānoa Valley, where this company was founded.
Pictured above is beautiful Mānoa Valley at sunset. Take note of the ridgeline; it was the inspiration for our logo. Can you spot the wahine etched into the kuahiwi?
My Story
Aloha, my name is Rachel Kapule Phillips, and I am the founder and president of Kuahine Consulting. As a native Hawaiian born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, I grew up deeply connected to Hawai‘i's land, ocean, and people. My father taught my siblings and me to respect our island home, live sustainably, and cherish the ocean—a love that continues to shape my journey today.
I’m a proud graduate of Punahou School (2017) and earned a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Studies (2019) and a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (2022) from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
My journey has always been rooted in community and stewardship. From high school through my college years, I served as the Farm Manager for a nonprofit organization, overseeing three acres of lo‘i kalo (taro fields) that produced over 30,000 pounds of kalo annually and welcomed more than 4,000 visitors each year. After completing my graduate studies, I transitioned to working for an environmental and community planning firm, where I managed contracts ranging from a few thousand dollars to over a million dollars for state agencies, county departments, and community-based nonprofits.
These experiences inspired me to create Kuahine Consulting—a company grounded in innovation, respect for Hawai‘i’s natural resources, and a commitment to serving our clients and communities with excellence.