Get to Know Zed Kaapana Aki
Some things Zed was born with: he is a Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), with deep family roots in Kaʻū and South Kona reaching back to time immemorial. Other things took time, sacrifice, and perseverance to earn: a Juris Doctor (Doctor of Law) and decades of experience fighting in the public policy arena on behalf of Hawaiʻi’s people. Together, these are what Zed brings as he steps forward to serve Hawaiʻi County Council District 6. As a legally trained public policy professional with over two decades of experience, Zed brings the knowledge, leadership, and commitment needed to stand up for local families and strengthen our rural communities. Learn more about his background, values, and vision for our communities’ future.
Zed Kaʻapana Aki was born and raised in the Islands – he is a champion of the community, public policy advocate, and has deep roots in Kaʻū and South Kona. His middle name, Kaʻapana, is his mother’s family name—a reflection of generations of family ties to this special place and the responsibility he feels to serve the community that helped shape him.
For more than a decade, Zed has worked at the intersection of public policy, community advocacy, education, and rural development. He previously served as Public Policy Manager for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, where he worked on issues affecting Native Hawaiians and local communities throughout the state.
Today, Zed serves as Executive Director of Lepo ʻUla, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening rural communities through sustainable agriculture, food security, economic opportunity, cultural preservation, and community-driven development. His work is focused on building practical solutions that improve quality of life while protecting the unique character and identity of rural Hawaiʻi.
As a resident of Ocean View, Zed understands firsthand the challenges facing District 6—from rising costs and inadequate infrastructure to limited services and the feeling that rural communities are too often overlooked. He is running for County Council because he believes Kaʻū and South Kona deserve strong, responsive leadership that listens to residents, advocates for their needs, and works to build a stronger future for the next generation.
Qualified to Serve
You have to be an effective representative - not a self-proclaimed leader - of the people. You need the grace and humility to serve others; the intelligence and expertise to come up with great ideas; and the dedication and drive to see those ideas come to fruition. Because that's what people trust you to do.
Education
Juris Doctor (Doctor of Law) Degree (focus areas: Environmental, International Law)
Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hawaiian Studies (focus areas: Mālama ʻĀina, Kūkulu Aupuni
Advocacy Experience
Juris Doctor (J.D., Doctor of Law) legally trained
20+ Years as a Professional Advocate
Countless testimony hours on thousands of measures
Zed is legally trained and has built his career on understanding how laws are written, how policies are shaped, and how government decisions impact everyday people.
With over 20 years of public policy advocacy experience, Zed has worked across federal, state, and county government arenas—engaging directly in the legislative process, testifying on thousands of bills, and pushing for policy solutions that protect Hawaiʻi’s people, ʻāina, and rural communities.
Throughout his career, Zed has not only advocated for change—he has led it. As a Public Policy Manager in both state government and the private sector, he has directed teams of professional advocates, coordinated high-level legislative strategies, and helped drive policy campaigns from the ground up through the final stages of decision-making.
His work has never been theoretical. It has been hands-on, relentless, and rooted in the belief that government must serve the public good.
Zed currently serves as the Executive Director of Lepo ʻUla, a start-up nonprofit organization committed to championing responsible rural development, workforce advancement, and community health. Through this work, he continues to focus on building long-term solutions that strengthen communities and create pathways for opportunity where it is needed most.
This depth of legal training, policy expertise, and leadership experience is exactly what District 6 needs to ensure our communities are not just heard—but finally prioritized.
Community Identity
For Zed, Kaʻū and South Kona are more than just a home—they are ancestral homelands carrying deep institutions of family, identity, and legacy. The Kaʻapana and Aki families have longstanding roots in this district, and that connection continues to guide his commitment to serving the people and places he loves.
Zed is a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, mahiʻai (farmer), and practitioner of lua, the traditional Hawaiian martial art. Guided by the values of mālama ʻāina, aloha ʻāina, and ʻike kūpuna, he believes that caring for people begins with caring for the land and honoring the knowledge passed down by previous generations.
His connection to culture is woven into his daily life through farming, stewardship, community service, and advocacy. These experiences have shaped his belief that strong communities are built when people are connected to one another, grounded in their values, and empowered to help shape their future.
Living in Ocean View has deepened his appreciation for the resilience and strength of the people of this land. He shares the realities of rural life alongside his neighbors and understands both the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. That perspective fuels his commitment to protecting the rural character of Kaʻū and South Kona, supporting local agriculture, preserving cultural resources, and ensuring future generations can continue to thrive here for years to come.
