“All of us hit low points in our lives, and that’s the important story I’d like to tell,” reflects Kamalani. “I’ve experienced rock bottom, but I’ve learned — it’s nothing to be ashamed about.”
Kamalani and her siblings grew up in a humble home in Wai‘anae with their parents Honey and Lance. The couple worked hard to give their children a good life, including agood education. Kamalani was accepted into Kamehameha Schools as a kindergartner. Her daily routine included a 4 a.m. wake-up call and a two-hour bus ride to school.
“My childhood was awesome. At the time, I didn’t really realize what was happening; as far I knew, life was good,” says Kamalani. “We didn’t mind eating saimin for dinner or lunch. We shared what we had and didn’t think twice about it. It’s only when I looked back and saw how fortunate other people were did I realize things were different at our home.”
Life really changed at home when Kamalani entered high school. Her parents separated, and her mom encountered health challenges. The hardships and adversities intensified.
“There were times when we slept in our car. There were times when we relied on other people for food, money, shelter and a living room floor to lay on. But those moments — they made me the person I am today,” says Kamalani. “I come from a place of being grateful for all of the small things that a lot of people take for granted. Those times were terrible, but — even when we were hungry or didn’t have a place to sleep — we smiled through it all.”