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?
About Our Founder
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, who descends from a fishing family from Moloa‘a, Kaua‘i, taught my siblings and me to respect our island home, live sustainably, and cherish the ocean.
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 that produced over 30,000 pounds of food 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 respect for Hawai‘i’s resources, communities, and traditions.
Education
2020-2022
Master of Environmental Management
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Relevant coursework includes: Field Mapping; Indigenous Research Methodologies; Statistics in Agriculture and Human Resources; GIS for Resource Managers; Botanical Conservation and Collection; Hawaiian Geography and Resource Management; Marine Resources and Abundance; and Mālama ʻĀina Field Methods.
2017-2019
Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian Studies
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Relevant coursework includes: Hawaiian Language; Hawaiian Mythology; Hawaiian Navigation and Astronomy; Hawaiian Medicine; Geology; Hawaiian Conversation; Hawaiian Genealogies; and Chiefs of Post Contact Hawaii.